"FOR BAKERS, A MEASURED RESPONSE AT SCOTUS"
- Tony Perkins, Washingto Update, June 17, 2019; https://www.frcaction.org/updatearticle/20190617/christian-bakers [AS I SEE IT: Cases such as these of Americans - and Christian Americans, at that - being harasssed because of their held beliefs should speak to us about how persecution of Christians worldwide (noted in post #2097 - scroll down below - includes those in America. We need to pay attention and be vigilant in prayer because one day any of us could become the target of those who seek to take away our free speech right. - Stan]
"Try again," the justices seemed to say in their short order to the Oregon Court of Appeals. It's the second time in a year that SCOTUS has sent a wedding vendor case back to the states for another round of hearings. And the Kleins are hoping their verdict turns out better than Barronelle Stutzman's. Like Aaron and Melissa, the owner of Arlene's Flowers has been fighting for years to live out her Christian beliefs at her flower shop -- only to be told by the Washington Supreme Court this month that the Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling didn't change anything.
Of course, the activist judges trying to wipe out the Kleins' lifesavings could also come back with the same result -- but for now, the Supreme Court's move puts the family's $135,000 fine on hold. It also gives Oregon a chance to reconsider its vicious attack against freedom and spare state officials the ultimate embarrassment of being overturned by the Supreme Court in the next couple of years. At the very least, it's a hopeful sign that the justices see the Masterpiece case as a guidepost for deciding these important suits.
Most court watchers think the timing of the announcement is interesting. As CNN points out, the justices took at least three months debating what to do about the case behind closed doors. "That it took the court this long to reach a result that, in retrospect, is a pretty straightforward compromise, suggests that there was detailed back-and-forth behind the scenes." But, as Justice Clarence Thomas has hinted in his past few dissents, the court can't bypass these hard questions forever. At some point, it will have to wade into the increasingly hostile battleground of LGBT "rights" and religious liberty. The sooner, Aaron and Melissa would tell you, the better.
For the Kleins, it's been a long and difficult road since a same-sex couple sued their bakery in 2013. They were threatened, vandalized, publicly harassed, and forced to close their shop. All they want is the chance to return to their normal lives with their First Amendment freedoms intact. First Liberty Institute's Kelly Shackelford is optimistic that day is coming. In a statement, he made it clear that this latest development isn't just a victory for Aaron and Melissa -- but for "religious liberty for all Americans." "The Constitution protects speech -- popular or not -- from condemnation by the government. The message from the court is clear, government hostility toward religious Americans will not be tolerated."
Join us in praying for Aaron and Melissa -- and the millions of Christians they represent. Let's hope their bold and uncompromising story is an example to others to keep standing.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
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PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
In Nigeria (ranked #12 on the 2019 World Watch List), our brothers and sisters face increasing persecution on multiple fronts, including deadly attacks by Islamic extremists and extreme discrimination by Muslim families and communities.This month, we invite you to join us as we stand in prayer for our Nigerian family.
June 18 | EGYPT - Egypt is home to the largest Christian community in the Middle East. But while there is freedom of religion by law, dozens of churches in Upper Egypt have been closed by authorities. Please pray for justice.`
*Names changed to protect identities
June 18 | EGYPT - Egypt is home to the largest Christian community in the Middle East. But while there is freedom of religion by law, dozens of churches in Upper Egypt have been closed by authorities. Please pray for justice.`
*Names changed to protect identities
This article discusses the ramifications of the SCOTUS order to force a lower court to redo the ruling against a Christian bakery. It is indeed interesting that the SCOTUS didn't want to rule on this, for such a ruling would have serious consequences on the country. The hope is that a SCOTUS ruling would be final, but hopefully a proper settlement can be made.
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