Is a $135,000 fine necessary for refusing to bake a cake?

1. 0

   LoliHeyposted 8 years ago

   Is a $135,000 fine necessary for refusing to bake a cake?
   
   What is your opinion on the verdict concerning the Oregon bakery that refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple?  They were ordered to pay a hefty fine for their refusal.  Necessary?  Preposterous?  Thoughts?

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2. 93

   peeplesposted 8 years ago

   I think it is ridiculous! With that said, I support the Lgbtq community 100% in their efforts to bring equality. However I do not understand for the life of me why anyone would want to force ANY company to serve someone they hate! Why would they want to give people money who dislike them so much? I wish all businesses bluntly told us all who they dislike. That way we can support businesses who support like minded views. I think any privately owned business should be able to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

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   1. 62

      Motherbynatureposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that businesses should be able to refuse service to anyone.  However, it really irritates me that people assume that disagreeing with someone's life choices means they hate them.  That is what's widening the divide.

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   2. 93

      peeplesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well in all fairness they don't just disagree with their life style. They are willing to risk their business for it. If you need to refuse service to someone it's a bit more than just disliking a lifestyle in my opinion.

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   3. 62

      Motherbynatureposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So if a business refuses service to persons without shoes or shirt, does that mean they hate the homeless?  It's only risky to refuse service because of the law.  Laws make everything a risk now.  I don't want to be bullied by law.

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   4. 93

      peeplesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      No it means they hate nastiness! I agree about the laws, but the first thing I learned in sales, money doesn't have a race, age, or sexuality etc. If it becomes so bad you won't take money, there is more than simple dislike.

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   5. 0

      LoliHeyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Right--but if you were deeply into a particular religion, it would be against your conscience to take money.  They felt that by taking the money, they were somehow supporting something they view as sin.

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   6. 82

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "I agree that businesses should be able to refuse service to anyone." This reminds me of the Jim Crow era! It's pure discrimination in my opinion.  It's illegal to discriminate in business due to age, race, religion, gender, & sexual orientation.

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   7. 62

      Motherbynatureposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      dashing, you are aware that sign is posted in the front window of most business and has been for decades.  No one has bothered to think about what that actually means until now.

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3. 62

   Motherbynatureposted 8 years ago

   This law is going to bite this country in the ass.  I guess the sign "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE" means squat now.  Anyway, who the hell purposely requests service from a business that isn't supportive of their event?  Litigious people and groups who want to force your hand.  So now they'll be forced to bake your cake or pay.  What's to stop them from choosing to bake the cake and tampering with it for revenge?  That's not right either but I make it a point not to piss off people who handle my food.

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   1. 0

      LoliHeyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I may just select this as Best Answer.

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   2. 82

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone was never meant to supplant discrimination laws!
      This is different from refusing to serve a drunk & disorderly person or not meeting dress code requirements. Discrimination is illegal in business.

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   3. 62

      Motherbynatureposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Right.  And then this happened...
      
      http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/04/0 … s-against/
      
      I could see if the request included straight up hate speech but these are actual Bible verses just reprinted.

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   4. 82

      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I read the article: "She did not discriminate against Jack because of his religious identity, but because his request included “derogatory language and imagery."
      If they had wanted the "N-Word" or "B-Word" the baker could have refused it too,

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   5. 49

      bradmasterOCcalposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Discrimination today has no objective boundaries, equality is a figment of the left, and forced upon the rest.because the SC doesn't resolve issues. Discrim was meant to protect the people from tgovt, not the other way round. Otherw what is freedom?

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4. 60

   fpherj48posted 8 years ago

   This is more drama than I can tolerate.   I have a huge surprise for all those concerned with this issue one way or the other!
   
   Lets' get real and down to common sense please.  First of all,  I have ordered NUMEROUS wedding cakes for couples (friends, family etc.)  NEVER ONCE was there a question nor comment as to whether the cake was for a Bride and Groom  or 2 Brides or 2 Grooms!  There isn't even a single reason to mention nor DISCUSS the GENDER(s) of the people getting married!
   
   A wedding cake is ordered by looking at photos or bringing a photo with you.  Flavors & colors and designs are chosen.  NAMES are not written on wedding cakes.
   
   As for the "figurines" on top of the cake......those can be purchased from any number of stores! 
   
   This entire issue.....which should NOT be an issue......can be settled by ordering a wedding cake.....A WEDDING CAKE.  ... In this case, the intended couple needn't get into their personal info....and should a baker ASK if it's a "gay" couple.....that's totally inappropriate and unnecessary and I would turn around and walk out.....because you KNOW they're asking for a REASON.
   
   Another thing.....If I wished to purchase a cake or ANYTHING.....and the owner did not want to sell the item to me based on ANY fact about me that they might object to.....I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT EVEN WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THIS IDIOT NOR GIVE THEM MY MONEY!!! 
   
   There are PLENTY of businesses who are simply in business to make money and don't have time nor concern for  who we are...what we do...where we live.....what kind of dog we have.....OR  WHAT COLOR, GENDER OR AGE OR EDUCATION LEVEL WE ARE OR OUR FUTURE SPOUSE IS.
   In fact....cancel the cake!  We're serving cookies!
   
   What the H-E-L-L is wrong with people anymore????
   
   You asked for my opinion.....This is it!......Peace, Paula

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   1. 85

      DzyMsLizzyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, Paula; it's all about MYOB.
      That said, they are in a SERVICE industry--if they don't want to serve, they are in the wrong business.  I won't get into whether or not the fine was appropriate.

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      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You nailed it!

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   3. 93

      peeplesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      And this is a perfect example of why I absolutely adore your answers!!!! Love it!

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   4. 60

      fpherj48posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks girls!  Will you marry me???!!    LMAO!

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5. 71

   word55posted 8 years ago

   It looks like fpherj48 said it all. I will say though, if I were the cake business owner, it wouldn't matter who the cake is for and I certainly would not get fined for not making a cake for a customer whatsoever. Business owners should be the last to discriminate.

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