April 14, 2008

Rights Commissions Threaten Freedoms

Jordan Lorence is Senior Legal Counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Jordan believes that we are seeing an assault on the right to conscience and a severe threat to religious liberty. The featured example he cited took place in the state of New Mexico where a family owned photography company has been ordered to pay more than $6,600 for declining to take pictures of a same-sex marriage ceremony.

A lesbian who was going to have a marriage ceremony contacted Elaine Photography of Albuquerque, New Mexico, via e-mail to inquire about having pictures taken of the event. Elaine Huguenin declined based upon her biblical beliefs and was eventually served papers of a complaint filed with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission claiming that her business engaged in an act of sexual orientation discrimination in violation of state law.

Almost a week ago, Elaine and her husband were found guilty and ordered to pay $6,600 in fees to the lesbian's attorney. The case is being appealed to the state court system.

This is just one example Jordan looks at that proves how hate crimes and non-discrimination laws are being used as a noose around those who have conscientious objections as they desire to uphold God's standard in the way they operate their businesses.

Listen to this Crosstalk to find out the details surrounding this and other cases, along with what you can do to stem the tide of wrongful discrimination against Christians.

More Information

Alliance Defense Fund
800-TELLADF
http://www.telladf.org