Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) works
to preserve and defend religious freedom, calling it “our most cherished birthright.”
Toward that end, ADF is representing Joanna
Duka and Breanna Koski, owners of Brush & Nib Studio in Phoenix AZ who
specialize in hand-painting, hand-lettering, and calligraphy for weddings and
other events.
ADF filed suit on the artists’ behalf
against a local ordinance that forces the business owners to use their artistic
talents to promote same-gender ‘wedding’ ceremonies. The ordinance also forbids them – under threat
of fines and jail time – from publicly stating religious beliefs that might “imply”
anyone would be “unwelcome” in their business because of their sexual orientation
or gender identity.
ADF attorney Jeremy Tedesco tells OneNewsNow the lawsuit is designed to
temporarily block enforcement until a full hearing can be held on the ordinance
… which could force Duka and Koski to violate their faith. “The question in this case is: Who gets to
choose what messages an artist sends through their artwork – the government or
the artist?” Tedesco says. “This question
matters because if the government can coerce and compel artists to create art
they don’t want to create, then how are the rest of us going to be free of
government coercion?”
If the artists in question are forced
to promote unnatural marriage, Tedesco contends no one is safe.
The trial court judge declined an
earlier lawsuit to issue an order prohibiting enforcement. That aspect of the case is currently going to
an Arizona appeals court.
Should a stand for one’s faith put
one’s business at risk?
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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