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?
The question is topical in the context of the Marriage Equality referendum. Should a bakery have to produce a wedding cake for a gay couple? Should a venue be allowed to refuse to host a gay wedding.
When pondering that here’s another few scenarios;
Should an Islamic printer be allowed to refuse to print images that they consider deeply offensive, say ones showing images of the Prophet Mohamed?
I think many people would agree that they should be able to refuse but;
Should the bakery or venue be allowed to refuse to sell their goods or services to a black couple or a mixed race couple?
The more you think about it the more difficult scenarios you can come up with.
I would think the scenario with the printer could be covered under our blasphemy law (but should we have such a law?).
The other scenarios just look like bigotry to me but maybe I’m missing something.
The question is topical in the context of the Marriage Equality referendum. Should a bakery have to produce a wedding cake for a gay couple? Should a venue be allowed to refuse to host a gay wedding.
When pondering that here’s another few scenarios;
Should an Islamic printer be allowed to refuse to print images that they consider deeply offensive, say ones showing images of the Prophet Mohamed?
I think many people would agree that they should be able to refuse but;
Should the bakery or venue be allowed to refuse to sell their goods or services to a black couple or a mixed race couple?
The more you think about it the more difficult scenarios you can come up with.
I would think the scenario with the printer could be covered under our blasphemy law (but should we have such a law?).
The other scenarios just look like bigotry to me but maybe I’m missing something.