Jack Phillips, the longsuffering bread actor and proprietor of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, recently , won , his latest event at the Colorado Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2024, Colorado’s highest judge issued a , ruling , dismissing a complaint against him on procedural grounds. One hopes that Phillips ‘ 12-year legal drama will come to an end thanks to this decision, but Phillips is in a precarious position because the court failed to tip in Phillips ‘ pursuit on the merits of the case.
In 2018, Autumn Scardina, a transgender-identifying counsel in Colorado, called his store. To observe and represent a “gender transition” from a male to a female, he requested that Phillips make a green cake with blue icing. Phillips, who believes that God created human beings as either male or female, graciously declined. He would certainly make a cake expressing the message that one’s sexual is change , for anyone , — whether the individual identifies as transgender or no.
The U.S. Supreme Court announced it would hear Phillips ‘ first case the same day Scardina called him. That’s never a fluke. A few months after, Scardina , called , Phillips ‘ buy once and requested he make a pie featuring” Satan smoking a combined”. Phillips even declined to bake that cake. Scardina has admitted to making these cake calls to “test” Phillips and to” right the problems of]his ] thinking”.
Scardina is never a persecuted part of a misunderstood majority group, as this reveals. He’s persecuted, intimidated, and harassed Phillips, plain and simple. As everyone knows, you do n’t give in to those who seek to terrorize you. You stand up to them. That is precisely what Jack Phillips has proudly accomplished.
He has been targeted by Transgender activists for ages just for baking pastries. He uses his God-given creative abilities to create sweets that “express messages or enjoy occasions” in accordance with his faith, not against it.
Because he sees his work as an extension of his faith, Phillips , wo n’t  , create cakes for Halloween. He wo n’t create cakes that “advocate]for the] use of marijuana or illegal drugs”. And he wo n’t make cakes that demonize other people, even those who identify as LGBT.
For his fortitude of views, Phillips has been on the receiving end of seemingly infinite claims.
After Phillips won his first case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Scardina lodged a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, alleging that Phillips had been discriminated against because of his” transgender” identity. The percentage, agreeing with Scardina, finally issued a formal complaint against Phillips.
But consider, Phillips serves , all individuals. He simply ca n’t make personalized cakes that convey messages that defy his own beliefs and beliefs.
Phillips countersued the committee for harassing him, but the percentage dropped its complaint. One of the commission had , referred , to Phillips ‘ religious liberty appeal as” a disgusting part of rhetoric”. Another called Phillips a “hater” on Twitter.
But even then, Scardina would n’t let the issue rest. He sued Phillips in a legal complaint, which he almost won. Before Tuesday’s 4-3 judgement in Phillips ‘ pursuit, he had previously lost , at the trial judge degree. In contrast, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled 3-0 against Phillips in January 2023.
” We granted certiorari to determine, among other issues, whether Scardina properly filed ]his ] case in the district court”, the Colorado Supreme Court , ruled , last week. ” We conclude that ]he ] did not”.
Because the jury decided on legal basis rather than the merits of the case, Phillips ‘ First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of expression was not upheld. Appallingly, the judgement even leaves open the possibility that Phillips, and other Christian practitioners, may be targeted in the future.
The judge’s indifference to upholding Phillips ‘ First Amendment right is unacceptable, but perhaps not surprising. Democrat administrators appointed all seven of the prosecutor’s judges. The judge’s majority opinion also used feminine pronouns to relate to Scardina, who is a man.
The dissention is even worse. The three dissident justices ( who also used female pronouns for Scardina ) criticized the court for deciding the matter on procedural grounds before arguing that the court should have ruled on Scardina’s merits. Who needs that troublesome First Amendment when you have “LGBT privileges” to improve?
Although Phillips ‘ selection is undeniably worthwhile, it’s ironic that someone in America can be dragged through the legal ringing for 12 years just for attempting to make a living and live according to their beliefs.
As the reporters at , National Review , wrote , after the Colorado Supreme Court’s view was announced,” The end of the current square of persecution of Phillips is cause for celebration but not for unrestrained pleasure. … , The method has been the abuse”.
Phillips has handled his legal issues with joy and school. But he’s also stood strong, held to his views, and refused to give in or back down. Yet when he lost 40 percent of his company, and his ability to create wedding sweets, he remained steadfast.
We who live in troubled days may learn a bit from Jack Phillips. We need more people of courage and faith. People who know what they believe, what is appropriate, and are willing to undergo for it. Men and women willing to sacrifice their ease, riches, security, and lifestyles have changed the world.
Our Founding Fathers were willing to sacrifice their lives, wealth, and spiritual pride to build our great nation. From the very outset, sacrifice and enduring have been crucial to America’s DNA.
Thanks to Jack on his hard-fought win. May we be prepared to follow his example of how Christians may live in a angry and post-Christian society and may he be blessed for his commitment to experience.
Zachary Mettler serves as Focus on the Family’s staff writer and connections contact for the Daily Citizen. In his position, he writes about current political issues, U. S. history, social idea, and lifestyle. Mettler is a graduate of The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program and received his bachelor’s degree from William Jessup University. In addition to the Daily Citizen, his written parts have appeared in the Daily Wire, the Washington Times, the Washington Examiner, Newsweek, Townhall, the Daily Signal, the Christian Post, Charisma News and various sources.