Tag Archives: Oregon

Blue State Regrets

Posted on May 24, 2023 by David E Smith

Support for drug decriminalization is waning among blue state residents as overdose rates, crime and homelessness continue to increase, a recent survey found.

Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged Addiction, crime, drug decriminalization, drug test, Homelessness, Kristin Olson, Oregon, Portland, Quest Diagnostics, Seattle | Comments Off

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 Hands Christian Bakers Win in Same-Sex Case, Vacates Lower Court

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Benjamin D. Smith

The U.S. Supreme Court handed religious liberty advocates a victory Monday when it vacated a lower court’s opinion that had ordered a Christian baker to design a cake for a same-sex wedding.

Posted in Religious Liberty, Sexuality | Tagged Aaron and Melissa Klein, ADF, Anthony Kennedy, First Liberty Institute, Jack Phillips, Kelly Shackelford, Masterpiece, Oregon, Religious Liberty, SCOTUS | Comments Off

Dhimmitude in America?

Posted on May 11, 2015 by David E Smith

You may not know what dhimmitude is and hopefully you never experience it. But you’ve probably heard of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and you’re almost surely aware of what Christians are. Dhimmitude is an Islamic system that governs non-Muslims who have been conquered through Jihad by folks like ISIS. If you surrender to Muslim control – though not Muslim – you are referred to as dhimmi. Sounds fun, right?

Posted in Islam & Sharia | Tagged Arlene’s Flowers, Attorney General, bakers, Bakery, Bob Ferguson, Dhimmitude, discrimination, ISIS, Islam, Oregon | Comments Off

Making of History? OR Unmaking of Our Society?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by David E Smith

It seems there isn’t a news cycle which goes by without someone “making history” these days. Everyone and everything is making history everywhere at all times, apparently. It’s hard to pinpoint when this trend started, but the “historic” election of Barack Obama certainly brought the fascination with history-creation into vogue. Now it seems that a story isn’t worth covering unless some history has been made. What is behind this trend? Why the fascination with making history? Does the predictive power of potential importance really imply worth and meaning?

History was apparently made during two significant events recently. The first was …

Posted in Faith | Tagged Michael McShane, Oregon, Same-sex marriage, Towson University | Comments Off