An Illinois Inn Fined For Refusing To Host A Gay Civil Union Ceremony

An Illinois Inn was recently fined tens of thousands of dollars for refusing to host a gay Civil Union ceremony. Also, the Inn must pay $50,000.00 in lawyer costs and $1,218.35 in fees. This penalty comes after a ruling late last year legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states. However, this was not a wedding, but a civil union ceremony, which is a legal contract between homosexual couples, giving them certain rights like the right to make medical decisions hospital visitation, adopting children, receiving benefits from employers, etc. But, many Christians refuse to participate in homosexual weddings or same-sex civil unions. This problem has caused some states, like North Carolina, to enact laws protecting businesses from such lawsuits; thus, protecting religious liberty. The inn was ordered to pay Todd and Mark Wathen a whopping $15,000 each for said emotional distress

Therefore, I believe companies should have the right to refuse service to a specified point. But, I am not one of these homophobic types rather I feel religious freedom is a part of the First Amendment and has to be protected. For those who don't know, I want to reiterate, a civil union is not the same thing as a marriage -- it's a legal contract of sorts and shouldn't be thought of as a "marriage" because it's not. As religious freedom is sacred so too is the right of every man. We have the ability to choose right and to opt to do that which is wrong. So, we must understand the fight we face is not of flesh and blood but with powers of darkness and principalities.

Once we take away people's right to choose, we've taken away the ability for God to love us, and the right to show God the love He has granted us to give to other people. Same-sex marriage isn't viewed as a 'marriage' in the eyes of God, so what man does has no bearing on what God does or doesn't regard as sacred. So, God doesn't agree with same-sex marriage; I hear you. Although same-sex marriage throughout the Bible has varied through time, in that, for years it was legal to have multiple wives and concubines. In our society, the definition of marriage was one man and one woman. However, this country has altered the definition to mean marriage is between two consenting adults.

If a business doesn't want to cater your event, find another company who will. Surely, there are many locations willing to provide services.  So, suing a business because they won't marry you makes you look like bad people. We have to respect the beliefs, the faith of each other. Just as people have the so-called right to marry, Christians should have their religious liberty respected. Is that too much to ask? For the record, I have always believed marriage is between one man and one woman. But, I respect other people's views on marriage.  I wouldn't compromise my beliefs for anyone. I won't force my views onto others. For the most part, Christians just want their viewpoints to be respected.

Source
1). Charles. (30 March 2016). Illinois Inn Fined Tens of Thousands For Refusing To Host Gay Civil Union Ceremony. PZFeed. http://pzfeed.com/illinois-inn-fined-thousands-refusing-host-gay-civil-union-ceramony/