Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Appeal of Christian Baker Prosecuted for Declining to Make Cake for Same-Sex Wedding

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 8 declined to hear the case of a California Christian baker who was prosecuted for refusing, on religious grounds, to create a custom wedding cake celebrating a same-sex marriage. The unsigned order in Miller v. Civil Rights Department came without comment or recorded dissent, leaving in place a California ruling against the baker.

The case involved Catharine Miller, owner of Tastries Bakery in Bakersfield, who has long maintained that while she serves all customers, she cannot use her artistic talents to celebrate events that conflict with her Christian faith. Miller argued that forcing her to create a wedding cake for a same-sex ceremony violated her First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion.

Conservatives and religious liberty advocates expressed concern that the Court’s decision stands in tension with recent Supreme Court victories for Christian professionals, including 303 Creative v. Elenis (2023) and Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado (2018), which affirmed that the government cannot compel creative professionals to participate in messages that violate their deeply held beliefs.

Miller said she was disappointed but resolute. “I’ve welcomed everyone who comes into Tastries with the care and honesty my faith calls me to,” she said, adding that she trusts God will ultimately use the outcome for His glory.

Supporters warn the decision could embolden state governments to further pressure faith-based business owners, intensifying the national debate over religious freedom, compelled speech, and the proper limits of anti-discrimination laws.

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