After much soul searching which divided even liberals, the Christian owners of Northern Ireland bakery Ashers have lost their appeal against a ruling that their refusal to make a “gay cake” was discriminatory.
The appeal judges concluded that supplying a cake did not imply that the bakers supported the “Support Gay Marriage” message any more than they might support a sports team, and that their religious beliefs did not exempt them from equality laws.
The baker’s argument highlights a common religious sophistry : gay people are not unequal, they just shouldn’t have access to the institutions of equality.
Neil Barber – Communications Officer – Edinburgh Secular Society
Published Edinburgh Evening News 27th September 2016
