Supremes overturn massive fine against Christian bakers
U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday sidestepped another opportunity to determine if LGBTQ rights trump the Constitution’s protection of the exercise of religion.
Nevertheless, they ruled in favor of the owners of an Oregon bakery, Sweetcakes by Melissa, who declined to make a cake for a same-sex wedding. The ruling vacated a state court decision against Aaron and Melissa Klein, eliminating a $135,000 fine. And it directed state appellate judges to reconsider the case in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips.
In its previous term, the Supreme Court ruled for Phillips on the narrow grounds that the state exhibited hostility to his Christian faith when it punish him for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
In another related case, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled June 6 that state courts did not act with animosity toward religion...