Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

rug

(82,333 posts)
Fri Sep 16, 2016, 07:15 AM Sep 2016

Gary Johnson goofs on religious freedom



Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is seen during an interview before a rally in New York, on September 10, 2016. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Mark Kauzlarich

By Mark Silk | September 14, 2016

(RNS) Interviewed by CBN’s David Brody this week, Libertarian presidential candidate offered a Solomonic reading of religious liberty law as it relates to bakers who don’t want to sell wedding cakes to same-sex couples.

“In the case of the bakers, the bakers have to sell the cake but the baker doesn’t have to decorate the cake,” Johnson said. “That’s the First Amendment that comes to play. You don’t have to decorate the cake but you are in business so you got to sell that cake.”

So, pursued Brody, “you are saying the Christian business owner would have to sell the wedding cake …”

“But doesn’t have to decorate, yes,” Johnson replied. “That’s the reality of the law.”

Actually, that isn’t the reality of the law. The reality of the law is, at the moment, that the baker has to to decorate as well as sell the cake.

http://religionnews.com/2016/09/14/gary-johnson-goofs-on-religious-freedom/

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Court_of_Appeals/Opinion/2015/14CA1351-PD.pdf
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Gary Johnson goofs on religious freedom (Original Post) rug Sep 2016 OP
What an absurd response by the candidate Sherman A1 Sep 2016 #1
He's a half-baked candidate. rug Sep 2016 #2
You are Sherman A1 Sep 2016 #3
Would the baker have been fined anoNY42 Sep 2016 #5
It looks like it comes down to Johnson's definition of "decorate" anoNY42 Sep 2016 #4
There are at least three layers to this case. rug Sep 2016 #6
If you have nothing serious to say, anoNY42 Sep 2016 #7
Forget it, he's been sucking the bong water for too long. DinahMoeHum Sep 2016 #8
Ayn Rand light safeinOhio Sep 2016 #9
I rather dislike Johnson -- but I think he's right in some respects here struggle4progress Sep 2016 #10

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
1. What an absurd response by the candidate
Fri Sep 16, 2016, 07:34 AM
Sep 2016

someone that clearly does not understand religious freedom, civil liberties, business or for that matter baking.

Other than that he seems to have the situation well understood?????

 

anoNY42

(670 posts)
5. Would the baker have been fined
Fri Sep 16, 2016, 07:47 AM
Sep 2016

if the cake were only half-baked?

They could just argue they are terrible bakers, and regularly mess up cakes for opposite-sex weddings too!

 

anoNY42

(670 posts)
4. It looks like it comes down to Johnson's definition of "decorate"
Fri Sep 16, 2016, 07:46 AM
Sep 2016

1.) Decorate with flowers, etc: he is probably wrong, assuming the baker normally puts flowers in its wedding cakes for hetero couples.

2.) Decorate with a congratulatory message: he could be right or wrong, the court in the linked case did not reach the issue, since the baker refused to bake the cake without any discussion of decorations.

struggle4progress

(118,039 posts)
10. I rather dislike Johnson -- but I think he's right in some respects here
Fri Sep 16, 2016, 12:36 PM
Sep 2016

Our free speech includes the right not to propagate messages we find offensive, so a printer cannot be forced to print fliers that the printer finds offensive, a T-shirt silk-screening shop cannot be forced to produce T-shirts with messages that the shop finds offensive, and a baker cannot be forced to put messages on cakes when the baker finds the message offensive

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Gary Johnson goofs on rel...