RELIGION: Bigots, business don't mix

There has been much discussion lately about religious freedom. If our religion forbids members from eating chocolate, then don’t eat chocolate. Your religion shouldn’t force or encourage you to discriminate against chocolate lovers. You can refuse to sell chocolate in your business, but you can’t withhold other business services to me because I am a chocolate lover. Your religion shouldn’t extend to evaluating the lifestyles of customers in your business.

If I am a gay person and want a cake for my wedding, I may come to your bakery. Your religion may frown on or prohibit gay marriages. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t marry a gay. Your religion has nothing to do with my lifestyle. My reason for wanting the cake has nothing to do with your lifestyle. I don’t need to explain to you why I want a cake. When your business is open to the public it is not your decision what your customers do with the cakes you make. You make cakes, customers pay for them, fair exchange. I may decide to use the cake for a satanic ritual or throw it in the trash. How does what I do with the cake affect your life?

If your religion forces you to be a bigot, then don’t hold your business open to the public.

BRUCE HANSEN

Coeur d’Alene