Creative vs. Elenis
The ruling in Creative vs. Elenis comes as a refreshing summer breeze. With a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court stood in favor of the First Amendment. Absurdly, Lorie Smith was initially directed that in her business capacity, she would have to create websites for same-sex couples. The fact that Colorado, along with several other states, supports this compulsion should be concerning. What is it about the secular Left that not only wishes to deny free speech, but also seeks to coerce it, forcing people to express beliefs that contradict their conscience? Lorie Smith's case strikes a blow against the type of bullying long promoted and enforced by the secular elite.
That brings us to the primary right of the First Amendment, which is the Free Exercise of Religion. This right acknowledges that the state should never be allowed to hold the ultimate and highest allegiance. The free exercise of religion is predicated upon the notion that our primary allegiance is to God, followed by the family, and then the state. During the Covid crisis, the state showed its power by dictating to churches as if they were its vassals. Too many churches were far too compliant.
However, rights must be asserted and exercised. Neglected rights soon become lost rights. If we neglect our churches, as is now the common trend, and if we let families fall into disarray, then our republic becomes overly ripe for failure. Even if we have let the side down, falling into bad habits, there's no reason to promote or persist in them. One of the things we can do is assert the truth, speak and act according to it. Like Lorie Smith, we can dedicate ourselves to not living by lies. This is crucial to our integrity as human beings and will have significant implications for our neighbors and future generations.
P.S. Speaking of our future generations, this discussion exposes the absurdity of the so-called right to abortion, which isn't a right at all. No one can claim it's an essential good to assert your right to terminate your own child in the womb.
The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer is the Chairman and Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the M.A. program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Be Informed
Learn more about this important lawsuit with Terry Mattingly of GetReligion in this recent Issues, Etc. podcast.
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