In the city of Richland, Washington is a small business owner named Barronelle Stutzman. She is 72 years old and has spent her entire career as a floral artist, designing special works of art for events of varying types. Over the years she has employed other artists and assistants, some of whom were homosexual, and in every case she has treated her employees and clients with the respect they deserve. Barronelle is a person who loves people in a way that she hopes honors her savior Jesus. So why is she being sued by the state of Washington and former client, Robert Ingersol?

Robert Ingersol and his partner Curt Freed were patrons of Arlene’s Flowers, Barronelle’s business, for nearly a decade. During that time they received not simply great floral arrangements, but exceptional customer service and even friendship. It was no wonder then, that when they pair decided to marry, they asked Barranelle to provide the floral artistry for their ceremony. She humbly declined, explaining that while she cared for them she wasn’t prepared to violate her conscience for them. She felt her taking the job would be tantamount to her participating in a religious ceremony that would violate her religious beliefs. Ingersol and Curt went to the state district attorney and filed a discrimination complaint.

This isn’t the first time such bullying has occurred against Christian business owners in America. Four years ago in my home state of Colorado a gay couple sued a bakery that refused to bake their wedding cake. The suite destroyed the man’s business, all because he chose to follow his conscience rather than commerce. Ordinarily one would be praised for turning down money to uphold religious belief; doing anything else would be viewed as hypocrisy. In these cases the courts seem to appreciate a legal agenda over freedom of religion.

Court is still in session regarding the Barronelle case, one that will likely go to the US Supreme court for a final verdict. In the meantime, states are left to navigate the murky waters of civil liberties and religious freedom on their own. In a turn-about meant to bring attention to the issue, my high school and college mentor Bill Jack made news in 2015 when he sued a Colorado bakery for not baking him a cake with what she stated was an anti-gay message. Jack had asked the bakery to make a cake in the shape of a Bible and on one page draw in frosting two men holding hands with a red circle and slash over them, indicating properly that the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin.

Due to Jack’s suite, Colorado State legislator Gordon Klingenschmitt (R) wants to protect Colorado small businesses specializing in creative works (such as bakery’s and florists) by repairing “an existing flaw in Colorado’s nondiscrimination statutes.”

“These laws have no religious or free speech exemptions,” Klingenschmitt said. “So right now there’s a loophole that’s allowing these bakers to be brought up on charges of discrimination. I think the loophole ought to be fixed so that every baker, every artist, every person in Colorado is not compelled by the government to produced anything they personally disagree with.” Such a law could be a model for the Supreme Court should Barronelle’s case make it that far up the ladder.

We at Think-Biblically.com believe that while governments have the God-given right to make and enforce just law, those laws are to be a statement of negative action rather than compelling a person to act. In other words, the state may pass a law stating one cannot murder another individual, which tells everyone something they may not do. Law that tells people what they should do – no matter how noble – borders on dictatorship. The Ten Commandments are an excellent example of negative action, each one beginning with the phrase “You shall not…”

The only obvious exception to this is law compelling citizens to pay taxes. This was the central argument against Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) by lawmakers and legislators, which compelled every citizen to purchase a product, namely health insurance. This requirement has rightly been cancelled under the Trump administration.

We stand with Barronelle in her pursuit of justice through the legal system. You may show your support on facebook and twitter by using the hashtag #JusticeForBarronelle.