# Should Christians Be Forced to Photograph Gay Weddings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 11, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847 "2012-06-11T19:50:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/281 "2012-06-12T17:37:35Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > Ironic considering your screen name. Check the urban dictionary link How about that-someone made up a word to win a newspaper contest. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/282 "2012-06-12T17:38:11Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > As a christian with several gay friends, many of whom are also christian, I have to say the OP’s lack of understanding of the true meaning of christianity is eye-rolling at the lowest level and offensive at other levels. But GEEPERS is not unique. There are many “christians” that share his beliefs, and as a result find comfort in each others fears. > > The futile efforts to logically sway the opinions of such people do little more than feed their own feelings of superiority. DFTT. Does your brand of Christianity conveniently ignore Romans 1:25-27? The three main US Christian denominations certainly agree with me on this matter - Catholics, Southern Baptist and United Methodists. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/283 "2012-06-12T17:38:26Z")
So would it be legal for a photographer to say “Legally, I can’t refuse you’re business; however you might prefer a photographer who isn’t morally opposed to same sex marriage.” [Genuine question, not trying to make some kind of point here] ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/284 "2012-06-12T17:39:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > All I’m saying is if you have a log in your eye, you’re doing it wrong. Perhaps, like Chaucer’s Miller’s Tale, Matthew refers to the “nether” eye. And once you’ve had a beam in your nether eye, you’ll not go bothering with specks. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/285 "2012-06-12T17:40:57Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Does your brand of Christianity conveniently ignore Romans 1:25-27? Why is that a problem? Christians of every stripe ignore parts of the bible that they find inconvenient. There are so many things that contradict other things, it is impossible to remain consistent with all of them. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/286 "2012-06-12T17:43:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It’s not nearly as clear as you say it is. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this (as it turns out you were with regard to the views of many other Christians on gays) or if you really don’t know much about the scholarship on this point, but on this point - same as the race issue and many others - not everybody agrees about what the Bible says or what it means for a believer, and readings have changed over time. > Phew. Unless you can disprove me with supporting evidence, your rhetoric here has no bearing or value on the OP. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/287 "2012-06-12T17:43:27Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > You said he was gay. The Bible is quite clear that the act is unnatural and sinful. I didnt dispute that. However, I havent sentenced him to Hell. > [@](#): > > Matthew 7:3-5 clearly gives permission to judge others as long as you have self-examined and corrected your own behavior first. You don’t know me, and therefore, do not know if I have removed the log from my eye or not. That’s assuming. You misinterpret the scripture. The judgment of saying Youre going to hell for being gay vs He is gay, that is wrong for me Is quite different. > [@](#): > > Didn’t you maintain a pro-gay stance in earlier posts? If you are saying that this act is perfectly natural and approved by God then you are certainly misleading your friend. The Bible that you like to quote says otherwise. Define Pro Gay? Do I think they shouldnt be discriminated against for being gay, correct. Do I think they should have every human right as someone who is hetero? Yes. I call that Pro Human. I feel that way for everyone, gay included. If you call that Pro Gay, then so be it. I call it Pro Human, and a Christian attitude. EDIT: And the Bible doesnt say I should discriminate against them. In fact, quite the opposite. Love Thy Neighbor. > [@](#): > > Ironic thing is your post sits in arrogant judgement of me. So quoting scripture is arrogant? Havent you been doing that in this discussion. Apparently your do as I say not as I do, behavior isnt working out so well. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/288 "2012-06-12T17:44:52Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How about that-someone made up a word to win a newspaper contest. How about somebody made up a word that has sarcastic humor associated with it, and I found it entertaining? I dont know, something very similar to a word like… oh… I dont know, czarcasm? ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/289 "2012-06-12T17:45:07Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why is that a problem? Christians of every stripe ignore parts of the bible that they find inconvenient. There are so many things that contradict other things, it is impossible to remain consistent with all of them. Cafeteria Christianity is a problem. Just because Christians practice it doesn’t mean it is right. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/290 "2012-06-12T17:46:11Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Unless you can disprove me with supporting evidence, your rhetoric here has no bearing or value on the OP. Your use of these terms is amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/291 "2012-06-12T17:47:04Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Are you saying that you have corrected your own homosexual behavior? I wasn’t annoyed that GEEPERS ignored so many posts, until he ignored mine. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/292 "2012-06-12T17:47:22Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Cafeteria Christianity is a problem. Just because Christians practice it doesn’t mean it is right. Are you suggesting you don’t pick and choose which parts of the bible you believe in? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/293 "2012-06-12T17:49:33Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > How about somebody made up a word that has sarcastic humor associated with it, and I found it entertaining? I dont know, something very similar to a word like… oh… I dont know, czarcasm? It’s a name, not a word, and I’m not attempting to assign any specific definition to it or promote its use. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/294 "2012-06-12T17:51:25Z")
Would it make more sense to have a “My interpretation of my sky god’s rules are more legitimate than your interpretation of your sky god’s rules” elsewhere? That way we can stay focused on the topic of nonexistent Christian persecution? I mean Christians are persecuting Christians and we need to understand why the atheists are letting this happen. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/295 "2012-06-12T17:54:17Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Does your brand of Christianity conveniently ignore Romans 1:25-27? The three main US Christian denominations certainly agree with me on this matter - Catholics, Southern Baptist and United Methodists. I haven’t seen any of these views expressed by you in this thread. United Methodist church: [the expressed commitment of The United Methodist Church **“not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends”**](http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1324) Catholic Church says: [However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. **They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.** These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition.](http://www.catholic.com/tracts/homosexuality) Southern Baptist: [The Convention however also holds that “while the Bible condemns such practice as sin, it also teaches forgiveness and transformation, upon repentance, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”](http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=609) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/296 "2012-06-12T17:55:36Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Unless you can disprove me with supporting evidence, your rhetoric here has no bearing or value on the OP. Yes or no: are you aware that there are disputes about what the Bible says about homosexuality? Actually we’re already off on the wrong foot. I’m pretty confident the Bible says nothing at all about homosexuality. There are a few passages that are sometimes interpreted to refer to intercourse between people of the same sex, which is different from commentary on a sexual identity. That being said, [it’s easy to find commentary like this.](http://www.religioustolerance.org/homarsen.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/297 "2012-06-12T18:02:22Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > So would it be legal for a photographer to say “Legally, I can’t refuse you’re business; however you might prefer a photographer who isn’t morally opposed to same sex marriage.” In my opinion, that would be both legal and moral; just spelled slightly wrong. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/298 "2012-06-12T18:03:25Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > I didnt dispute that. However, I havent sentenced him to Hell. I didn’t either. There’s a difference between sentencing someone to hell, and warning someone about the dangers of hellfire. [/QUOTE] > [@dngnb8](#): > > Define Pro Gay? Do I think they shouldnt be discriminated against for being gay, correct. Do I think they should have every human right as someone who is hetero? Yes. I call that Pro Human. I feel that way for everyone, gay included. If you call that Pro Gay, then so be it. I call it Pro Human, and a Christian attitude. > > EDIT: And the Bible doesnt say I should discriminate against them. In fact, quite the opposite. Love Thy Neighbor. I don’t think they should be discriminated against either in terms of treating them any less than other fellow human being. I don’t believe it’s right to discriminate against registered sex offenders either even though the laws are highly discriminatory after they have paid their debt to society. Refusing service to a gay couple is not discrimination in the same sense as racial discrimination. Christians are being forced to accept and witness immoral acts (photographing men kissing for example) or be punished. You don’t think that is wrong? > [@dngnb8](#): > > So quoting scripture is arrogant? Havent you been doing that in this discussion. Apparently your do as I say not as I do, behavior isnt working out so well. I am willing to bet 100% any belief I have in the Bible, you will stubbornly disagree because you could never bring yourself to admit that I’m right about anything. Not once. That’s arrogance. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/299 "2012-06-12T18:04:30Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > In my opinion, that would be both legal and moral; just spelled slightly wrong. Your correct, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847/300 "2012-06-12T18:05:15Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > I am willing to bet 100% any belief I have in the Bible, you will stubbornly disagree because you could never bring yourself to admit that I’m right about anything. Not once. That’s arrogance. Well, you’d have to be right about something first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-christians-be-forced-to-photograph-gay-weddings/624847.md?page=16)