A Colorado bakery has been ordered by a court to provide wedding cakes for same-sex couples. Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cake shop, feels that baking same-sex wedding cakes violates his religious beliefs. As a Christian, he feels that same-sex marriage is wrong. Many Christians feel this way and point to some scriptures in the Bible, including:

• Leviticus 20:13 states that when two males sleep together they must be put to death as the act is an abomination. However, due to the New Testament, this scripture is considered part of the old law.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speaks about who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Within the passage, same-sex couples are mentioned.
• Romans 1:26-27 talks about people indulging in their lustful fantasies when men sleep with other men.

These are a few of the scriptures that some believe state that marriage is meant to be between a male and a female, and these passages form part of the basis for why some Christians may disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling that all 50 states should recognize same-sex marriage as a legal marriage. However, it’s a tricky situation.

Same-Sex Couples’ Rights Being Infringed Upon?

When a bakery refuses to bake a wedding cake, is it infringing on the rights of the same-sex couple? Some would argue yes, because same-sex couples should get the same treatment as any other couple getting married. If a heterosexual couple walked into the bakery asking for a wedding cake, then the bakery would make it for them without an issue.

Same-sex couples want the same rights and wish to be treated the same way as any other married couple. They may feel embarrassed or may feel that their rights are being violated when they cannot get a wedding cake from the bakery that they have chosen. After all, the bakery often makes cakes for heterosexual couples without knowing the couples’ pasts. For example, has the couple remained sexually pure as the Bible calls them to do? Has the couple sinned in any other way?

Does it make sense for the bakery to question every person to ask if he or she has remained pure and done everything right in the eyes of the Lord? Of course it doesn’t. Not only would that be entirely too time consuming, it would also be seen as the bakery judging others for their lifestyles, which the Bible says not to do (Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 7:1-5). When you have all of the information, doesn’t it seem that not only is the bakery infringing on the same-sex couple’s rights by not making them a wedding cake, but that it is also being hypocritical by not refusing to make wedding cakes for anyone who has not remained pure in God’s eyes? Of course, everyone sins, so that would be impossible.

What About the Bakery’s Rights?

At the same time, it is important to look at things from the perspective of the bakery. The owner of the bakery is a devout Christian, and he wants his bakery to honor God. He worries that baking a wedding cake for a homosexual couple violates his religious beliefs. Taken in this context, and given all of the scripture noted above that talks about homosexual relationships, one can possibly see where he feels there is a conflict. One could argue that the couple could simply take their business elsewhere. Jack Phillips’ refusal to bake them a wedding cake doesn’t mean that the couple can’t get married.

It’s a sticky situation. Even though the court has ruled in the same-sex couple’s favor, it seems that either way, someone’s rights are being violated.