We ‘refuse to comply’: Christian bakers won’t be bullied by gag order

It’s going to take more than a gag order from a state bureaucrat to shut up two Christian bakers under assault for refusing to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple in Oregon.

As reported by Bizpac Review on Saturday, Aaron and Melissa Klein were not only hit with a $135,000 fine for refusing to bake the cake, but they were also ordered by  Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian to stop speaking out about the case.

The Kleins, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, told Fox News’ Todd Starnes they have no intention of obeying what they see as a clear violation of their First Amendment rights.

“I don’t really care,” Aaron Klein told Starnes. “This man has no power over me. He seems to think he can tell me to be quiet. That doesn’t sit well with me – and I refuse to comply.”

The Daily Signal reported that the cease-and-desist order cited specific comments the couple had made in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network in September, claiming that their explanation of their religious beliefs violated Oregon’s anti-discrimination law.

By citing their previous comments as an act of “discrimination” against homosexuals, the order essentially prohibits the couple from making similar statements about their intention to hold fast to their religious convictions.

“If these personal statements of religious belief and willingness to defend themselves against government persecution can be construed as showing ‘discrimination,’ then pretty much almost everything the Kleins could say about their case could be construed by Oregon as showing ‘discrimination,’” wrote Hans Von Spakovsky at the Signal.

However, the order doesn’t seem to worry the Kleins, who believe the First Amendment still means something in America.

“For us to not be able to speak about it – that’s our freedom of speech,” Melissa Klein said. “All Americans should be free to live and work by their faith and speak their mind.”

She sounds like she means it, gag order or no gag order.

 

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