I’m commenting before reading the other comments so I might change my mind after reading some! Also apparently this just applies to this guy and really doesn’t set a precedent for other businesses if I’m correct. Saying that I’m always wondering if someone had asked him to make a cake depicting a large penis or vagina. Can he say no. Or a swastika. But then I keep thinking of blacks and/or Muslims or any other group they might not like. So it’s a tough call. Stupid religion!

The USSC decided this case based on the treatment of the bakery by the state of Colorado and didn't rule that religious discrimination is okay. This case does not clear the way for religious discrimination.

Using religion to justify bigotry and xenophobia is in violation of the separation of church and state.

Nope..drive them out of business....on the other hand a business can refuse to serve Christians if you find it offensive..

First of all, I am gay. So, I do have a stake in this ruling.

I was dubious about the rulings of discrimination int eh first place. If a person is a sole proprietorshjp or sole owner and operator, then it hs hard to say they are discriminatory if their religious views justify their denial of service. If they self limit their own customer base, and are only in a sense hurting themselves financially, that shodl be a choice an individual person can make for themselves

However, once you get into other business types, such as partnerships or some type of corporations, then the added legal protections for their business, it should be required that they abide with anti-discriminatory laws in every way. This would protect all investors potential profits by nto limiting the customer base.

Anti-discrimination laws are not there just to protect individuals, but also are there to protect the profits of businesses for investors by not restricting the customer base. Sadly if this weren't so it is not likely that we would have as many of them as we do.

In a sole proprietorship the owner has a right to ba an asshole. He is only accountable to hinself and only hurts himself. Bring n other owners whether it be partners or corporate and they no longer have the right, because they have others they are accountable to.

That is where I draw the line of accountability for this type of thing. It maximizes personal freedom(s) (to be an ass), while protecting the interests of others. When all the cases are fought and the dust settles, I think the above generalizes what will be decided as common sense and the most fair.

Personally I would not want to patronize any business that discriminated against me for being gay. For instance i won't buy from Papa John's Pizza, Coors beer, Chick-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby or other businesses that I am aware of tht openly discriminate or who donate to anti-gay groups.

Carl's Jr. was on my list, but Carl Karcher's kids took over, kicked him out and reversed all his anti-gay policies and that company no longer donates to anti-gay causes. I am told that was in reaction to Carl Karcher disowning his gay son, whom his siblings had invited back into the business.

Owner-occupied housing with 4 or fewer rental units is currently exempt from federal anti-discrimination laws, although in some cases state laws may apply.

Similarly, I think that a sole proprietorship business with few employees should in general be exempt from anti-discrimination laws. Mom and Pop bakers and photographers are not Walmart, and should not be forced to choose between violating their conscience and going out of business.

I can't believe this case went all the way to the Supreme Court. What is this world coming to?

The ruling, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, held that members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission showed animus toward Phillips specifically when they suggested his claims of religious freedom was made to justify discrimination. CNN

It was a 7/2 ruling which means that liberals joined with conservatives on the vote. It apparently will not set a religious freedom precedent.

I'm for common sense. If you're a baker and gays want you to bake a cake then ask them to go somewhere else. If they won't - then bake the stupid cake and be done with it. If you are a gay couple and a baker doesn't want to bake you a cake - go somewhere else! You don't need to sue someone and destroy their business just because they are religious.

It's interesting to note that the same people who scream about Christian bakers not baking them a cake, typically argue that we need to accommodate the conservative beliefs of some Muslims on other issues, such as allowing the to wear hijabs on theri drivers license photos even though it completely negates the purpose of the photo, which is to IDENTIFY them.

It just seems like these days everyone has to make a federal case out of everything, instead of allowing commonsense and the marketplace of ideas do their work. I sense it's only a matter of time until animals have equal rights as humans, killing spiders will be a crime, Uber drivers will be required to transport emotional support cows, and not calling somebody by their preferred pronoun will be a hate crime.

We all just need to chillax and accept that maybe in a society as diverse as ours there simply isn't a way to protect all of everyone's rights simultaneously and in lieu of that we all need to be more flexible.

A new sign for hateful retailers:
"No shirt, no shoes, no heterosexual marriage - no service!"