#CakeGate: can you refuse service on the basis of faith?

The cake that Colorado baker Jack Phillips refused to bake was the kindling that lit a nation-wide discussion in the USA - can a business deny service to an individual purely on the basis of their sexual orientation? As the Supreme Court came to a verdict in favour of the baker, the narrowness of the ruling still left the overarching question unanswered. The baker was quickly followed by others who stood up in solidarity of his beliefs - the Richland florist and the Kentucky county clerk. The resultant discussion has pitted religious freedom against the civil liberties of same-sex couples and LGBT individuals.

Yes: service can be refused in all cases

Forcing an individual to provide a service against their will and religious beliefs is wrong

Baking a cake is a form of protected creative expression

Religious freedom is uniquely important

Y/N: Service can be refused, but not in all cases

The interests of the different groups involved ought to balanced differently on a case by case basis

Some services are personal enough to warrant refusal

Service can only be refused when there is an alternative provider

No: Service cannot be refused

There is no case in which discrimination based on sexuality is acceptable

Exercise of religious freedom must not hurt others

Would you refuse service to a mixed-race couple?

The law is the highest authority

This page was last edited on Sunday, 4 Nov 2018 at 17:26 UTC