(Christian Post) A court has ruled that the Christian owner of Tastries Bakery in California acted lawfully when she refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple and instead referred them to a different bakery, citing her sincere religious belief that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman.
Catharine “Cathy” Miller’s “only motivation, at all times, was to act consistent with her sincere Christian beliefs about what the Bible teaches regarding marriage,” Kern County Judge Eric Bradshaw wrote in the verdict, The Bakersfield Californian reported Saturday.
“That motivation was not unreasonable, or arbitrary, nor did it emphasize irrelevant differences or perpetuate stereotypes,” the judge added, concluding that the state’s Department of Fair Housing and Employment failed to prove Miller intentionally discriminated against Eileen and Mireya Rodriguez-Del Rio five years ago in violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.
“It’s been a long five years,” Miller was quoted as saying. “I’m hoping that in our community we can grow together … and we should understand that we shouldn’t push any agenda against anyone else.”
On Facebook, the bakery wrote, “We appreciate your prayers and support as we joyfully continue to do business with you in the future.”
The Thomas More Society, which supported Miller in the lawsuit, called it “a First Amendment victory.”
