Tag Archives: Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission

Klein v. Oregon: Religious Liberty & Freedom of Speech vs. Gay Rights

Posted on July 9, 2019 by David E Smith

Among recent actions by the U.S. Supreme Court, a four-sentence order may set the stage for the court to eventually address the collision between free speech and religious freedom on one hand and gay rights on the other. The order voided a judgment by the state of Oregon that had imposed a $135,000 fine on Portland-area bakery owners—the Kleins—for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple. Oregon maintained that its anti-discrimination law condemned such a rebuff even when the bakery owners’ religious convictions run counter to participating in a same-sex wedding.

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sexuality | Tagged Arlene Flowers, Barronelle Stutzman, compelled speech doctrine, Employment Division v. Smith, Free Exercise clause, Jack Phillips, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Melissa and Aaron Klein, Oregon, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, SCOTUS, Sherbert v. Verner, The Sherbert test, W. Va. State Board of Education v. Barnett, Washington Supreme Court | Comments Off

U.S. Supreme Court Recap for First Amendment Cases

Posted on July 6, 2018 by altha-admin

It has been an eventful term for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has provided many closely decided cases and ended with the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy. For those interested in free speech and religious liberty, there have been plenty of decisions to keep track of and digest. Here is what you need to know.

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission

The story is well-known. Jack Phillips, a Christian cake shop owner from Colorado, refused to create a cake for the same-sex “wedding” of two men. They filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which …

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Anthony Kennedy, Arlene’s Flowers Inc. v. Washington, Barronelle Stutzman, Bill Jack, Clarence Thomas, Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Donald Trump, Jack Phillips, Janus v. AFSCME, John Roberts, Korematsu v. United States, Mark Janus, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, Reproductive FACT Act, Rowan County v. Lund, Samuel Alito, SCOTUS, Town of Greece v. Galloway, Travel ban, Trump v. Hawaii, U.S. Supreme Court, Washington Supreme Court | Comments Off

Important U.S. Supreme Court Decision Summaries (and Some Much-Needed Good News)

Posted on June 21, 2018 by David E Smith

Many pro-family conservatives ask, “Isn’t there any good news to report?” Yes, there is. Some examples are the growing national economy, record low unemployment numbers for minorities, foreign policy changes from the G.W. Bush and Obama years, and, lately, even some positive decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court.

June is traditionally a big month for announcing decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), and this year is no exception. Below are a few of the cases decided and a few still pending.

It can take a lot of work to search out short case summaries put into …

Posted in Federal | Tagged Abortion, Arlene’s Flowers Inc. v. Washington, Canada, Dr. Michael Brown, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Religious Liberty, Trinity Western, U.S. Supreme Court | Comments Off

U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Colorado Cake Artist

Posted on June 4, 2018 by David E Smith

Earlier this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling, striking down the State of Colorado’s decision against Jack Phillips. Though Jack served all customers, the State of Colorado punished Jack for declining to participate in a same-sex wedding.

Posted in Religious Liberty | Tagged Alliance Defending Freedom, Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado Supreme Court, Jack Phillips, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Kristen Waggoner, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, U.S. Supreme Court | Comments Off