Bill Jack, founder of Worldview Christian movement, is reportedly suing Azucar Bakery for not making a Bible-shaped cake with the slogan "God hates gays."
The bakery in Denver, Colorado received the request in March 2014. Shop owner Marjorie Silva told USA Today that she was against the design concept and she suggested to remove the anti-gay wordings and the image of two men holding hands that Jack wanted to incorporate.
"After I read it, I was like 'No way,'" Silva told USA Today. "'We're not doing this. This is just very discriminatory and hateful.'"
Jack was unhappy about the refusal and filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division against the bakery claiming that the bakery's actions amounted to religious discrimination. Investigations are ongoing and if the bakery is proven to have acted in the wrong, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission will further review their case.
The case has sparked a debate among business owners and religious groups as both parties claim that they have constitutional rights.
Silva told USA Today that the discrimination claim is unfair, though, as she believes "he was the one that [was] discriminating."
When Jack was questioned by KUSA-TV on why he requested the cake, he declined to answer but insisted that he was "discriminated against."
"I believe I was discriminated against by the bakery based on my creed. As a result, I filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights division. Out of respect for the process, I will wait for the director to release his findings before making further comments," he said.
According to The Blaze, as the investigation proceeds, at least one Christian group that opposes gay marriage has come out in support the bakery. Jeff Johnston, a Focus on the Family representative, told the Christian Post that he supports Azucar Bakery based on First Amendment principles.
"This is a free speech issue, and we support freedom of speech. It's also a religious or conscience issue — the government should not force people to violate their core beliefs. Just as a Christian baker should not be required to create a cake for a same-sex ceremony, this baker should not be required to create a cake with a message that goes against her conscience," Jeff said.
