Following a landmark win in the U.S. Supreme Court, a Colorado Baker learned his legal battle is far from over.
Jack Phillips, a Christian baker, is at the heart of the controversy. In 2012 he refused to prepare a custom cake for a same-sex couple about to be married. That led to a discrimination suit.
Philips’s case escalated through the court system and ultimately in 2018 the U.S Supreme Court “ruled that the state of Colorado was hostile to Phillip’s religious beliefs and that the government can’t force anyone to create custom works of art that communicate a message,” according to Fox News.
The six-year battle did not mark the end of discrimination suits filed against Phillips. In 2018, a transgender attorney, Autumn Scardina, filed a discrimination suit after Phillips denied a request for a cake celebrating gender transition. Many believe the attorney targeted Phillips.
Scardina reportedly asked Phillips to make a gender transition cake that was pink on the inside and blue on the outside. When Phillips refused to bake the cake, Scardina asked for a cake depicting Satan smoking a marijuana joint – which Phillips also declined.
Recently, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.
Phillips, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, said he hoped the court would rule in his favor and send the message that private businesses should not be forced to support that which constitutes a compromise of their religious convictions.
Phillips commented to Fox News: “I hope it is the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m pretty excited about it. The state court turned us down in our first case, but I think they realize now that I serve everybody.”
Jake Warner, an attorney for the ADF, said the current lawsuit was “clearly a set-up” with the intent of “targeting” Phillips and his beliefs.
Warner noted that “Scardina promised Phillips that, were this suit dismissed, Scardina would call Phillips the next day to request another cake and start another lawsuit.”
Some have likened Phillips’ suits to a David vs. Goliath-type legal battle, noting how the mom-and-pop shop baker has taken on the powerful liberal left, which has vast resources and influence in government and court arenas.
Phillips reported receiving “numerous threatening emails” and death threats, but his resolve remains strong, noting the cases have helped to “strengthen” his faith.
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