I’ve been meaning to do a blog post for Pride month, and with today’s Supreme Court ruling, I now have the inspiration I need!

Religious Freedom, or License to Discriminate?

For some reason, I feel conflicted about the ruling. On one hand, I consider it a mistake to persuade somebody to make art for a client when the artist isn’t genuinely aligned with their customer’s interests or values.

But on the other hand, my concern is, does this ruling open the door for more malevolent instances of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people?

Does today’s ruling only apply to those who run creative businesses? Or can it be used as a future excuse to withhold life-saving medical treatment?

When I read this article about today’s ruling, I saw this Tweet they shared from the Log Cabin Republicans (made of LGBTQ+ conservatives):

Biblical Standards

From what I’ve read, Lorie Smith didn’t want to create websites for gay couples based on Biblical standards about “one man, one woman” in marriage. To be fair to her, Jesus said the following in the Book of Matthew:

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”

Matthew 19:4-5

The one “anti-gay” Bible verse that doesn’t explicitly seem to condemn homosexuality is the one that I struggle with the most. I’m not sure how to approach it. What I do know, however, is that Jesus also tells the Pharisees in this passage that divorce for any reason other than adultery is a sin.

How often do we hear of businesses turning away divorced and remarried couples?

Rejection Scenario

Based on today’s ruling, can others (including myself) thusly refuse to provide services to any and all individuals who we disagree with based on our religious convictions?

I propose the following scenario half-seriously and half-spitefully. Let’s say former President Donald Trump, who is a blatantly unrepentant liar and narcissist, requests service from me and my (theoretical) business.

As an example of a particular lie spoken by him that continues to disgust me, Trump infamously referred to the January 6th riot and the violence on officers in the Capitol as “hugs and kisses”:

Here are some Bible verses about lying:

  • Proverbs 17:7: “Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!”
  • Proverbs 12:22: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”
  • Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Based on these verses, which clearly state how detestable lying is to God, and today’s ruling, I would have every right to say this to Trump:

“I apologize, Mr. Trump, but I’m afraid that I can’t take you on as a client nor provide you my services because of my religious convictions. I’m concerned about the lifestyle you continue to lead, one filled with falsehoods and a heart set against accountability. I feel that if I were to work with you, I would be condoning your unrepented sin, which would cause me internal anguish.”

I’m sure that his followers would be swift to defend him, as they’ve done over and over again, no matter what crimes and wrongdoings he’s been held accountable for.

What’s Next?

I hope that it doesn’t look like I’m berating Lorie Smith for today’s ruling. She isn’t my enemy; we definitely don’t see eye-to-eye on this issue, but I bear her no ill will. I sincerely hope that Lori Smith doesn’t get slandered in the aftermath of this ruling.

This ongoing theme of LBGTQ+ people/protections being marked as “intolerable” is my enemy.

Protecting trans youth and ensuring safe discussions of LGBTQ+ matters in schools are concepts treated with outrage and contempt. The persistent claim made by opponents is that they want to “protect children”. The relentless recycling of misinformation about these topics keeps pouring fuel on the fire.

I’m not the first person to say this, but it bears worth repeating. Why are we so focused on “protecting children” from what’s viewed by some as an “agenda” when we can’t even protect them from school shooters?

Condoning Sin

Some Christians say, “love the sinner, hate the sin”, but that seems to be exclusively reserved for LGBTQ+ matters. I don’t think I’ve ever heard those same Christians say the same when Trump committed verbal sins (such as lying and slander) or objective evidence surfaced to show that he is, in fact, guilty.

If we’re determined to not condone sin as Christians, then why is it that so many of us condone Trump’s sins? Because he furthers a “Christian” agenda? Because the ends supposedly justify the means?

Guess what: there’s a Bible verse for this, too!

“Whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.”

Proverbs 24:24

I will be holding onto this verse to keep my sanity, especially after reading on Reuters that Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Elise Stefanik are seeking to expunge both of Trump’s House-invoked indictments.

I am so weary of elected individuals willfully enabling Trump’s narcissism and condoning every godless choice he’s made. And frankly, I think it’s blasphemous.

That’s all, folks!

Featured image by qimono/Pixabay

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