I'm sorry, but I'm begging to see this whole argument as a tempest in a teapot. Frankly, I see the Christian proprietors of these various businesses as being somewhat misguided in the faith. For example, in the case of the pizzeria the owners are making the argument that catering a gay wedding violates their religious faith. I don't know what form of Christianity they practice, but Christ Himself dined and spent most of His time here on earth with sinners. Christians are charged with the responsibility of emulating Him. Hate the sin, but love the sinner as the current euphemism goes. In any event, gluttony is a sin. Does that mean, therefor, that the pizzeria will refuse to sell a pizza to a fat guy, as that would be supporting a sinner in his sin? These folks must answer to their own sense of right and wrong of course, but I feel that they might be well served by thinking things trough a little more thoroughly when invoking Deity to justify their actions.
Good point, Saltydog. No one should have to invoke the deity. There should be no question that any person has the right to refuse to do business with anyone, for any reason. I told a new patient one day that I didn't feel comfortable treating her, and she would need to find another dentist. She jumped out of the chair, telling me I had no right to refuse to treat her, and she would sue me, and I would be sorry. I told her that I still had that right, and that she had just proved that I made a good decision.
Salty, might it be viewed as sponsorship? . I vote with my bucks regularly, trying to buy u.s. goods and trying to buy things which will last awhile. . when we were building this house in 2005, the carpenter who was building the front porch asked me why I chose to ask him to use stainless steel screws. . voting with my bucks, I said, and he looked at me like I had two heads. . I clarified with "I know that they require that you drill a pilot hole for each one, and that it takes longer, but they will last a loooong time!" . he might have understood. -- j
These folks must answer to their own sense of right and wrong of course, but I feel that they might be well served by thinking things trough a little more thoroughly when invoking Deity to justify their actions.
I told a new patient one day that I didn't feel comfortable treating her, and she would need to find another dentist. She jumped out of the chair, telling me I had no right to refuse to treat her, and she would sue me, and I would be sorry.
I told her that I still had that right, and that she had just proved that I made a good decision.
my bucks regularly, trying to buy u.s. goods and
trying to buy things which will last awhile. . when we
were building this house in 2005, the carpenter who
was building the front porch asked me why I chose
to ask him to use stainless steel screws. . voting
with my bucks, I said, and he looked at me like
I had two heads. . I clarified with "I know that they
require that you drill a pilot hole for each one, and
that it takes longer, but they will last a loooong
time!" . he might have understood. -- j