Daly Focus Blog
By now you’ve heard the news: the devout Christian bakers in Oregon who declined to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding ceremony because of their faith convictions have been fined $135,000. They’ve been told to pay this week.
In light of this development, I want to share seven facts about the Sweet Cakes by Melissa case that might surprise you:
1. The case hasn’t been seen by a judge in a court of law. The authority issuing the amount?
Long before the Supreme Court imposed same-sex marriage on the country, Christian parents had been dealing with the culture’s growing acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex relationships and the impact it has on their children.
We at Focus are hearing from more and more of them as they navigate these difficult waters with friends and relatives who are homosexual while also trying to model Christian behavior for their own children. Here’s a question typical of those we receive:
My sister-in-law is currently married to her partner.
All eyes are on the Supreme Court this week as we await the historic decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case. Seven cases remain on their docket. The justices will be issuing rulings tomorrow and Friday and possibly again on Monday. It’s impossible for us to know exactly when the decision will be announced, but this much is certain:
By this time next week we’ll know whether or not five or more justices have found a constitutional right to same-sex “marriage” in all 50 states.
Just as Roe v. Wade didn’t end the abortion debate, it’s unlikely the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage via the Obergefell v. Hodges case will stop our nation’s passionate discussion on marriage.
On the contrary, I suspect the forthcoming ruling will mark the beginning of a long and protracted controversy about not only marriage, but religious freedom.
Why?
Before I answer the question, let’s briefly look to the possible outcomes expected at the end of the month.
A news summary on issues that matter.
North Carolina Law Protects Freedom of Conscience
Good news: A bill that will permit court officials to decline performing same-sex marriage responsibilities became law yesterday in North Carolina. According to House Speaker Tim Moore, the law “protects sincerely held religious beliefs while also ensuring that magistrates are available in all jurisdictions to perform lawful marriages.”
The Value of Children in an Anti-Natality Age
World magazine features an insightful article about the growing anti-natality perspective in our culture, which often pits the environmental movement against childbearing.
With the Supreme Court’s decision on the marriage case expected by month’s end, questions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage abound. We regularly receive inquiries from sincere Christians who want to know how to best navigate this sensitive topic with their children, neighbors, coworkers or friends. Other questions we receive, especially from members of the press, are from those who can’t quite understand why Christians can’t just “evolve” with the growing cultural consensus.
It’s important we understand this issue from both a legal and theological perspective.
Guest post by: Jeff Johnston
They are questions many parents probably aren’t fully prepared to answer:
“What does transgender mean?” or “Why is that man dressed like a woman?”
Yet transgender issues are becoming more mainstream, as evidenced by the recent “coming out” of Bruce Jenner as “Caitlyn” on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. Not only that, but many children are encountering transgender topics in their schools. More and more we are seeing a growing acceptance and encouragement of “transgendered children” as young as 5 in schools.
By most accounts, the U.S. Supreme Court appears on the cusp of forcing the recognition of same-sex “marriage” at the end of this month, when it hands down its decision on Obergefell v. Hodges.
However, truth be told, the journey towards the redefinition of marriage started decades ago. What we see today as a legal shift in definition has its roots in steady and significant cultural change.
There was once a millennia-old, cross-cultural understanding that marriage was the lifelong union of a man and a woman.
A news summary on issues that matter.
Father “Marries” “Son” After Adoption Dissolution
In 2000, Norman MacArthur and Bill Novak, two men who identify as homosexuals, were recognized as “father” and “son” in the eyes of the law. Unable to “marry” 15 years ago, Mr. Novak “adopted” Mr. MacArthur instead. Both now in their 70s, the two men successfully dissolved the “adoption” and “married” this past Sunday. The bizarre scenario highlights the new frontier we’re faced with as same-sex marriage grows in acceptance.
I had the privilege of being at the United States Supreme Court yesterday during the two-and-half hours of oral arguments on the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage case.
Yesterday I gave my “first impressions,” and today I want to share in more detail with you what I saw and heard during this historic day.
As you can imagine, the scene outside the Court was filled with energy and emotion, with lots of individuals representing both sides of the debate.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
