The US Supreme Court has allowed a Mississippi law protecting bakers and other dissenters of same-sex marriage to stand.  Here’s the story from the Christian Post:

The United States Supreme Court declined to hear appeals on two lawsuits aimed at striking down a Mississippi law that allows businesses to refuse to service same-sex weddings.

In an order list released Monday, the highest court in the nation declined without comment to hear the cases of Campaign for Southern Equality et al. v. Bryant and Barber, Rims, et al. v. Bryant, respectively.

At issue was Mississippi’s House Bill 1523, also called the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.  …

In April 2016, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law, which prohibits the state from compelling businesses and individuals from supporting or servicing gay weddings.

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Response: A great way to start the new year. This is a good portend for the future of religious liberty from the current court. There are lot’s of cases ahead and unfortunately the justices did not actually comment while in effect they let the Mississippi law to stand. However it is a hopeful sign that this court might protect the 1st Amendment even in head-to-head battles between religious freedom and LGBT rights.

Even better, this might encourage other states to pass similar laws protecting the religious liberty of business owners and individuals. Many LGBT activists have been pushing the idea that the 1st Amendment and freedom of religion no longer apply and are superseded by LGBT rights in cases involving same-sex marriage since it has become the ‘law of the land.’ Some are even suggesting that those who do not support same-sex marriage should no longer be allowed in public service positions. This ‘non’ decision does not specifically bring direct clarification on this but at least it lends support to religious liberty by letting the Mississippi law to continue.

There are more cases coming down the pike towards SCOTUS this year or next on this issue or similar ones involving freedom of religion. So at some time or another one would expect a more definitive decision from the court. Nevertheless those of us who support religious liberty can celebrate in the mean time with the results in this case and the real hope it gives us that this court will lean towards supporting a traditional understanding of the 1st Amendment and freedom of religion in the future.               *Top