KFUO program to examine religious-liberty case of Barronelle Stutzman

Barronelle Stutzman, a floral designer in Richland, Wash., was sued for declining to use her talent to beautify a gay marriage ceremony. In February, the Washington Supreme Court ruled against her in the case. (Alliance Defending Freedom)

Can the state force artists to create things that violate their consciences? State regulatory agencies and courts have ruled “yes.”

Christian bakers, photographers and florists have been punished with fines and the loss of their businesses for refusing to make creations celebrating gay marriage.

On this month’s “Free to be Faithful” program, moderator Kip Allen will speak with a lawyer from Alliance Defending Freedom about the case of Barronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers of Richland, Wash. Stutzman was sued after declining to beautify a gay marriage ceremony.

In February, Washington’s supreme court ruled against Stutzman and ordered her to pay penalties and attorney fees for refusing to use her God-given talent to celebrate something she believes is immoral.

(Read an article from last October about the LCMS joining an amicus brief supporting Stutzman in the case before the Washington Supreme Court.)

Stutzman’s attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, saying the state rulings violate First Amendment protections.

The program will air at 2:30 p.m. (Central time) March 15 on Worldwide KFUO, and will stream online at kfuo.org.

Allen moderates such “Free to be Faithful” discussions on Worldwide KFUO the third Wednesday of each month.

Listen on KFUO.org

Posted March 13, 2017