Whatever happened to Christians leaving the judging to god? The Supreme Court of Arizona just ruled in favour of two Christian business owners who sued the city of Phoenix so they wouldn’t have to abide by its requirement to provide services for a same-sex wedding.
In 2016, the “devout Christian” owners of Brush & Nib — an Arizona-based business that makes hand-written calligraphic invitations and signs — sued the city of Phoenix because the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance allegedly violated the company’s freedom of speech (ie. their right to refuse service to people they think are dirty sinners).
Brush & Nib’s co-owners Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski sued to overturn the city’s civil rights law before any complaints could be filed against them. They also wanted to post a sign saying that they refuse to serve same-sex couples.
In its decision, the court wrote, “Our holding today is limited to Plaintiffs’ creation of one product: custom wedding invitations.” As such, the ruling doesn’t apply to all businesses in Arizona, but it’s not hard to see how it could.
After all, anti-gay Christians owners of wedding-related businesses — bakeries, florists, videographers, wedding dress makers — have piped up all over the oh-so-free United States stating that their religious beliefs compel them not to serve The Gays.
So really, what’s the difference between these businesses and Brush and Nib? Little to nothing. And if these business fight for their right to discriminate against same-sex couples, Arizona’s Supreme Court seems prepared to give them permission.