Resolution 81:01 – Christian Colorado Case and the United States Supreme Court

Whereas, the United States Supreme Court recently ruled that it will hear the appeal of the case involving the Christian Colorado baker, Jack Phillips, who, because of his religious convictions, would not make a wedding cake for two gay men who were planning on getting “married;” and,

Whereas, one of the homosexual men said, “Businesses should not be allowed to violate the law and discriminate against us because of who we are and who we love;” and,

Whereas, Colorado Civil Rights Commissioner, Diann Rice, likened Mr. Philips to Holocaust perpetrators saying, “Freedom of religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history – whether it be slavery, whether it be the holocaust.  I mean, we can list hundreds of situations where freedom of religion has been used to justify discrimination;” and,

Whereas, the Alliance Defense Fund attorney Kristen Waggoner said that Rice’s comments were “deeply offensive and biased” and that the case and others like it are more about silencing Christians than selling wedding cakes; and,

Whereas, according to ADF attorney Kristen Waggoner, this is “forcing someone to choose between their faith and making a living and supporting their family in their vocation;”

Therefore, be it resolved that the 81st General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, August 3-7, 2017, urges prayer concerning this case (and similar ones, e.g., Barronelle Stutzman, Christian florist in Richland, Washington) for the Court and for Jack Phillips and for our nation.  “Righteous exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34