I have been
monitoring the Asher Bakery case in the UK since the story first made
headlines. For those that don’t keep up to date; Asher’s Bakery are a family
run Christian bakery in the UK. They were asked
by a gay activist to bake a cake for a gay wedding containing a slogan
indicating support for gay marriage. They declined on the basis of the slogan
which conflicted with their Christian beliefs about gay marriage. They were
taken to court not by the gay activist but by the tax payer funded Equality
Commission primarily for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The Bakery have been supported by the Christian Institute.
I found it
especially interesting that the people jumping to defend the Asher family were
in most cases non-Christian’s who were concerned about the potential impact for
freedom of expression. Maybe this is not surprising as many Christian’s don’t
seem to be able to make up their minds where they stand on this issue with
comments like “I don’t really know what to think about this” and other such
bland statements appearing on social media platforms. But the absence of
comment from many Christians is just as concerning. Maybe they feel that “Christian
faith is a private matter” or maybe they just resolve to do whatever it takes
not to find themselves in a similar situation. I don’t really know the reason
for the eerie silence.
I think
what many are forgetting is that the Asher’s didn’t in any way choose to make
global headlines or to be thrust suddenly into the public eye by their stance
and I’m sure did not intend to be controversial or to upset anybody. They were
simply trying to live their Christian lives in peace as a Godly witness in an
increasingly secular country. They have been forced to defend their Christian faith
in a tax-payer funded court case which has really been a disgrace to our
country from the outset. I followed the case in disbelief at first thinking
that at some stage the craziness would come to an end. It did end this week with the
Asher’s being found GUILTY. After my initial shock and disbelief and “What
was the Judge thinking?” type statements to those in my circle. I grow
increasingly confident that the judgement MUST be reversed on appeal as the negative
consequences for so many areas of public life would be staggering otherwise (and
not just for Christians.)
I am
writing this post to highlight the many incredibly profound statements that have
been made by the Asher family throughout their trial and to encourage continued support and prayer for them, That they have been able
to maintain their Christian witness and dignity at “such a time as this” is a
remarkable testimony to non-believers and I hope will convict those Christian’s
who feel that faith is a private matter that needs to be kept hidden.
Statements like
“We feel
that the Word of God is of much more importance than the words of the Equality
Commission,”
Have a profound
ring of truth to them. On hearing this statement, I was ashamed to recall the times
as a Christian where I had been afraid to take a stand because of a secular
authority or person and their potential reaction. But really if God is God and
the Bible is God’s Word then why aren’t we all taking a leaf out of the Asher's
book and standing up for what we believe. Is it really okay that a Christian
should be forced to violate their sincerely held Christian beliefs by doing
some action that they know will offend a Holy God? Who are we serving and who
is our Master?
The Asher’s
are a great example to all of us as Christians, as even when they were no doubt
devastated by the outcome of the court case they still released statements
firmly reiterating their faith in God and His plans for their future. Even stating that they were “happy” to be part
of His plan!
“It doesn’t
change how we feel about God and it doesn’t change anything about why we took
our stand, we don’t regret that for one minute. And we believe God has a plan
for the future and whatever that will be we are happy to be in His plans.”
The Asher’s
were also contacted and encouraged by a Christian bakery in the USA in similar
circumstances and facing a hefty legal bill. They now join the minority of
Christians who have stood against secularism in the UK and abroad including
1. The B and B owners who refused to
allow a gay couple to share a double bed.
2. The Doctor who was sacked after 30
years of practice for offering to pray for a patient
3. The Judge who is being investigated
for refusing to place a child for adoption with a gay couple
4. The Registrar who refused to marry
same sex couples
5. The Nurse who was investigated for
wearing a cross to work
6. The Taxi driver who was investigated
for a Christian symbol in his taxi
7. The lady who is being investigated
for offering to pray for a Muslim colleague
8. The Street Preachers that have
been arrested for quoting Bible verses and thereby “offending” people
9. The parents who complained that
their 5 year old had been told he wasn’t allowed to read his Bible in his free
time whilst at school.
10. The students and hotel visitors who
stood against their universities and
hotels banning Bibles from the rooms.
I could also
appear on this list as the Police Officer who was disciplined for
attending a peaceful protest at a Gay Pride event, but there will be more about
that in my Police Biography to be published later this year.
There are no
doubt many more that haven’t made the national news and others who have quietly
accepted their predicament and resigned without a fuss knowing that God will
bless them for their failure to compromise.
I think we
need to remember that this is not about politics or political activism. I would
agree that Christian’s should avoid getting too bogged down in politics as a
life focus. These people are defending Christian liberties. If they don’t then
ultimately Christian freedoms will be eroded to the point that there will be no
legal evangelism. Christian’s need to take a stand on this issue and remember
the words of Jesus;
”If anyone
is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son
of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the
holy angels.” Mark 8 vs 38 (NIV)
(NB I am
grateful to the Christian Institute for a lot of the facts. Please visit their
website to keep up to date The Christian
Institute)
