Should there be a conscience clause that allows businesses to refuse to sell goods or services to a particular person or group or when the sale relates to a particular subject?
I would support a conscience clause, not to refuse a person or group, but to refuse business. And we shouldn't have a blasphemy law, that's the change we should be making to our Constitution next month.Should there be a conscience clause that allows businesses to refuse to sell goods or services to a particular person or group or when the sale relates to a particular subject? . . . I would think the scenario with the printer could be covered under our blasphemy law (but should we have such a law?).
I wouldn't condemn the baker. He didn't refuse to do a "Congratulations Adam & Steve" cake but rather a "Support Gay Marriage" cake. I haven't followed the case closely but is it not the case the baker was targeted as it was expected that he would refuse and that in effect it was a publicity stunt? The North's equality authority is wasting taxpayers money perusing this in the courts, such pettiness is asking to be disbanded. It's a pity that the Children's Television Workshop didn't sue for misrepresentation of their trademarked characters Ernie & Bert.We are all against the baker who refused to sell his cake to somebody for Gay Marriage. It is right and fashionable to condemn the baker.
That's all too often the case.Therefore, it does not matter if something is right or wrong but if it is fashionable, it happens.
Conscience Clause - An excuse to cloud the opinions and acts of somebody who does not want to bite the bullet.
1. We are all against the baker who refused to sell his cake to somebody for Gay Marriage. It is right and fashionable to condemn the baker.
2. But, we are all for the hotelier who refuses the wedding celebrations for an Itinerant couple and their family and friends. It is wrong, unchristian but fashionable.
In No. 1 the baker is an easy target and we are all heroes in the attack. But, in No. 2 the hotelier feels his hands are tied and most of us could not care a whit and if that wedding reception goes ahead our Christian customers will boycott the venue forever.
Therefore, it does not matter if something is right or wrong but if it is fashionable, it happens.
What was the political statement?Michealm is right, the baker was targeted (unfairly in my opinion) by a group safe in the knowledge he would refuse at some point. The political statement they wanted on a cake puts this case into a very unique circumstance. Would he have provide cake for any other political statement or do they deny that service to anyone?
How is that a political statement?Link to the image:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/soci...or-refusing-gay-marriage-cake-order-1.1990595
I think people are under the impression that the order was somehow a personal one, whereas it was a message to "support gay marriage".
I disagree; I don't see equality as a political issue.The cake certainly had a political m- but no more so than saying 'Vote Fianna Fail'. The bakers could easily refuse the business on the basis that they were politically agnostic - and didnt make cakes supporting one or other ideology. But they accepted this contract - and then based on their religious beliefs decided not to complete the contracted work.
I disagree; I don't see equality as a political issue.
It certainly is an equality issue, but the campaign to support gay marriage seeks to introduce a change in legislation, so naturally is engaging in politics and a political statement.
Legislation is done by politicians but the opposition to this legislation is not based on political views. That's why I don't consider this to be a political issue, just as other issues such as divorce and abortion are not political.Latrade put it better than me!
As I have stated elsewhere - I am an out gay man - so obviously equality is something close to my heart. Equality per se is not political - but legislation changes are.
I still do not see how you cannot see that this anything but an equality issue.
Legislation is done by politicians but the opposition to this legislation is not based on political views. That's why I don't consider this to be a political issue, just as other issues such as divorce and abortion are not political.
I agree with all of that but I still contend that a cake with a pro gay marriage slogan is not political. The issue itself is not political even if the campaign around the issue is.touche! But those statements are not mutually exclusive or contradictorary. The issue of gay marriage is one of equality, the campaign and movement to introduce equality is a political one. Not all politics and politicking is a bad thing...says the ex-lobbyist.
There are plenty of issues that shouldn't be political or are apolitical, but the organisation and (dirty word) lobbying that goes into effecting change means it becomes political. It's a fine line, but a message of support for a wider campaign to change legislation is politics with a small "p".
I agree with all of that but I still contend that a cake with a pro gay marriage slogan is not political. The issue itself is not political even if the campaign around the issue is.
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