California Authorities Persist in Litigation Against Christian Baker Who Refused to Make Wedding Cake for Same-Sex Couple
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A Christian baker in California who has been threatened, harassed, and sued for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is being taken back to court as state officials appeal a lower court ruling in her favor, the Christian Post reports.
The case against Cathy Miller of Tastries, a bakery in Bakersfield, California, was launched in 2017 by a lesbian couple who claimed she discriminated against them by refusing to make a wedding cake they requested. Miler had declined to make the cake because she opposes same-sex marriage on religious grounds and felt she could not use her talent to create an item that celebrates something she believes is morally wrong.
In 2018, the California Superior Court ruled in Miller’s favor. In its ruling, the lower court had said: “The First Amendment ensures that religious organizations and persons are given proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, and to their own deep aspirations to continue the family structure they have long revered.”
However, although the US Supreme Court last year ruled in favor of a Christian wedding website designer who claimed the right to reject orders from same-sex couples, the California Civil Rights Department v. Tastries has filed a request in the Court of Appeal of the State of California, 5th Appellate District, to overturn the lower court’s decision in Miller’s case.
In her brief to the Court of Appeals, Miller explained why she would not make wedding cakes for same-sex couples and that she had referred the plaintiffs to another bakery. She added that she has endured harassment, vandalism, and threats and that one of her employees was assaulted against her. In particular, the brief notes indicate that no action was taken against the perpetrators.
“Miller believes that marriage is a sacred covenantal union between one man and one woman,” the brief says. “Miller also will not design cakes that demean any person or group for any reason, or that promote racism, or any other message that conflicts with Christian principles.” The brief goes on to attest that: “As the prosecution continued, so did the attacks…Although reported to the police, none of these crimes were ever prosecuted.”
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