State Of Colorado Drops Case Against Christian Baker

Religious freedom just scored a major victory after the state of Colorado dropped their case against Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop. Phillips had won his case in the Supreme Court in June of last year, and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission just dismissed any further action against him.

Fox News reported that Phillips’ legal issues began when he refused to bake a wedding cake for same-sex marriage back in 2012. Though the state initially ruled against Phillips, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 vote last year that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had showed anti-religious bias in this ruling.

“Today is a win for freedom. I’m very grateful and looking forward to serving my customers as I always have: with love and respect,” Phillips said, adding that this legal battle has cost him around 40% of his business.

Phillips was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), who alleged that the state had no choice but to drop the case over evidence that clearly displayed “ongoing hostility” toward religious freedom.

“We’re pleased that the state has dismissed its case against Jack,” said Kristen Waggoner, ADF senior vice president of U.S. legal division and one of Phillips’ lawyers. “This is the second time the state has launched a failed effort to prosecute him. While it finally appears to be getting the message that its anti-religious hostility has no place in our country, the state’s decision to target Jack has cost him more than six-and-a-half years of his life, forcing him to spend that time tied up in legal proceedings.”

Though Phillips slammed the state of Colorado for being “relentless in seeking to crush me and my shop for living consistently with my deeply held religious beliefs,” he added that he is glad this is all over and he can go back to doing what he loves, which is making cakes.

“I have and will always serve everyone who comes into my shop,” he said. “I simply can’t celebrate events or express messages that conflict with my religious beliefs.”

As a business owner, Phillips should not have to participate in anything that violates his religious beliefs. If liberals want to argue that Muslims should be allowed to wear their hijabs in places where headgear is not allowed, they must concede that Christians should be allowed to follow their religious rules as well. We’re glad to see that this case has finally been put to rest and that Phillips is free to go back to running his business in peace.