Tuesday, December 05, 2017
Vendor's Right - Consumer's Choice
The Supreme Court will be addressing the Colorado baker's refusal to make a customized wedding cake for a gay couple...again. I agree with the baker, and it has nothing to do with his clients' sexuality. Just because a person sells cakes, I don't believe the government should force him to sell a cake that violates his beliefs. The baker DID NOT refuse service to the gay couple, he only refused to provide the specific merchandise they requested. Deseret Books is a Mormon bookstore in Boise. They choose to only sell products in accordance with their beliefs. Should the government force them to also sell the "Satanic Bible" or "Demons of the Flesh" just because a customer requests it? Does this make them guilty of religious discrimination by choosing to only sell LDS compatible books even though they could order any book in print? Deseret Books (and the cake vendor) will both happily sell their products to people of any religion (sexual orientation), but the government shouldn't force them to provide ALL merchandise that EVERY religion (sexual orientation) may desire. If a vendor doesn't sell a product or service you seek, then select a different vendor. Vendors, especially small businesses, should be able to manufacture or sell whatever they choose, for whatever reason they choose. If they opt not to provide goods or services that a portion of the population desires, then that is the vendor's loss...but it should still remain their choice. I know a doctor that is a General Practitioner and Gynecologist. Though she's qualified to treat male patients, she chooses to only accept women for gynecological services. Does that make her guilty of sexual discrimination because she refuses service to men? In my opinion, no, I'll just pick a different doctor.