Christian clerks, bakers take stand against Supreme Court ruling on same-sex union

Christians are invoking religious freedom as a response to the US Supreme Court ruling that legalised same-sex marriage in the US.

In Decatur, Tennessee, employees of the country clerk's office all resigned in order for them not to issue same-sex marriage license.

In Oregon, the owner of Sweetcakes by Melissa bakery is fighting back and urged Christians to take a stand after the couple who owns the bakery was found liable for refusing to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

In Rowan, Kentucky, a county clerk has been sued for refusing to issue marriage license to gay and straight couples, citing "religious concerns."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky filed the lawsuit on Thursday on behalf of two gay couples and two straight couples against County Clerk Kim Davis.

The plaintiffs in the Kentucky case are same-sex couples April Miller and Karen Ann Roberts, and Aaron Skaggs and Barry Spartman, and straight couples Shantel Burke and Stephen Napier, and Jody Fernandez and Kevin Holloway.

Davis has refused to issue marriage license to any couple.

In Tennessee, clerk Gwen Pope and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler have resigned from their jobs because of the Supreme Court decision and their last day will be on July 14, according to a report by WBIR.

"It's for the glory of God. He's going to get all the glory," Pope said of her decision to resign.

Decatur resident Scott King praised the three women for fighting for their religious beliefs.

"These three ladies stood upon their beliefs and they stood upon their morals and no one can fault them. Too often we as Christians don't do that. It's time we followed the lead of what they showed us," he said.

In Oregon, Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Sweetcakes by Melissa, were ordered by the state's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to pay $135,000 for discrimination after they refused to make a wedding cake for lesbian couple Rachel Cryer-Bowman and Laurel Bowman-Cryer in 2013.

Aaron denounced the ruling and said he's not backing down.

"For years, we've heard same-sex marriage will not affect anybody. I'm here firsthand to tell everyone in America that it has already impacted people. Christians, get ready to take a stand. Get ready for civil disobedience," he told The Blaze.

He said they will request a stay in the order and will likely appeal the ruling.

related articles
Massachusetts Issues Gay Marriage Licenses

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A huge crowd of gay couples gathered at City Hall in Cambridge, Mass. even before midnight to receive applications for a marriage license...

Charles Manson marriage license to expire with no wedding 
Charles Manson marriage license to expire with no wedding 

Charles Manson and his fiancée, Afton Elaine Burton, have allowed their marriage license to expire without getting married.

Pastors\' group urges action to oppose court ruling on same-sex marriage
Pastors' group urges action to oppose court ruling on same-sex marriage

The Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP) is encouraging Christians to oppose the Supreme Court's recent ruling on same sex marriage by causing civil obedience, since people need to "do something to get arrested to call attention to the injustice."

Online petition urges US Congress to pass constitutional amendment on marriage
Online petition urges US Congress to pass constitutional amendment on marriage

Following the US Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the US, an online petition has been launched to urge Congress to declare that marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Bishop T.D. Jakes \'not really concerned\' about same-sex marriage ruling, says Supreme Court did not debate Scripture
Bishop T.D. Jakes 'not really concerned' about same-sex marriage ruling, says Supreme Court did not debate Scripture

Since the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage recently, Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas admitted that he has been "bombarded" by questions from people who are eager to hear his thoughts on the matter.

Mississippi officials consider options to  avoid issuance of gay marriage licenses
Mississippi officials consider options to avoid issuance of gay marriage licenses

Mississippi has started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as one state official floated the idea of getting out of the business altogether.

Christian activist Meeke Addison: Same-sex  marriage is not equal to skin discrimination
Christian activist Meeke Addison: Same-sex marriage is not equal to skin discrimination

Christian activist Meeke Addison is very upset with the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage last week, saying that it's offensive that gay marriage is now a civil right.

Five bad reasons to oppose same-sex marriage... and some approaches that might make more sense
Five bad reasons to oppose same-sex marriage... and some approaches that might make more sense

Five bad reasons to oppose same-sex marriage... and some approaches that might make more sense

Kentucky clerk sued for refusing same-sex marriage licenses
Kentucky clerk sued for refusing same-sex marriage licenses

A Kentucky clerk is being sued by four couples – two heterosexual and two homosexual – for refusing to issue any marriage licenses since the US Supreme Court legalised gay marriage last week.

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.