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?
When it comes to America’s sovereignty, freedom has never been free. Dating back to the Revolutionary War, more than 1.3 million Americans have died in combat. It’s important to remember that each of these deaths is not an isolated incident; no man is an island. When a soldier falls, life within a family unit is irrevocably and permanently changed. Those deaths represent a lot of tears over the course of 235 years.
Yes, freedom in the U.S.A.
For Christians, the emotional response to the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage has run the gamut, and understandably so. It would be impossible to overstate the significance of Friday’s announcement.
In my statement to the media, I urged believers to continue engaging the culture with loving kindness and to be a light in these dark times. I joined many other Christian leaders in signing the “Here We Stand” evangelical declaration that, among other things, cautions against responding in panic to this ruling.
News of the Supreme Court’s decision to impose same-sex marriage on all 50 states spread quickly on Friday.
Unpacking what this decision means, and its implications, will take a lot longer.
We’re starting that process of better understanding what the redefinition of marriage means to our country and our religious liberties on today’s Focus on the Family broadcast. We discuss this important topic with two noteworthy guests: former Focus board member Dr. Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary, and Dr.
Statement by Focus on the Family President Jim Daly on the decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage case:
“Today the Supreme Court issued a disappointing decision that imposes same-sex marriage on all 50 states.
“Although this result was predicted by many observers, the action of the Court is nonetheless startling in its rejection of a societal understanding of marriage that goes back to the dawn of civilization. It tramples on the democratic process by overturning the will of more than 60 percent of Americans who voted on the issue and creates a new federal constitutional right in an area where our founding document is silent.
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.
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.
I’m pleased to have Kirsten Powers on our broadcast today for a discussion that boils down to a succinct and straight-forward question:
Is disagreement the same as hatred?
Obviously, I believe it isn’t. And neither does today’s guest.
Sadly, there are plenty of people who believe otherwise and contend that disagreement and hatred are synonymous, especially when we talk about sensitive issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage. There’s a growing undercurrent within social and political circles to no longer debate ideas.
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.
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.
