| From | Sarah Kramer <[email protected]> |
| Subject | What courage looks like |
| Date | September 30, 2020 11:11 PM |
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2 min. read: This grandmother won’t give up her freedom without a fight
Case Updates
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Barronelle needs a win at the U.S. Supreme Court—religious freedom is at stake!
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Dear John,
Have you ever taken a stand, knowing that it would be a defining moment in your life?
For Washington floral artist Barronelle Stutzman, gently telling her longtime friend and customer that she could not create custom floral art celebrating his same-sex wedding wasn’t that defining moment.
The defining moment for Barronelle came later.
It came after discovering that the Washington attorney general had filed a lawsuit against her without any formal complaint ever being made. It came after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also sued her, putting her business and life savings at risk if she loses her case. It came after Barronelle began receiving hate mail and death threats, forcing her to install security cameras and change her regular routines for safety reasons.
Barronelle’s defining moment was her decision to trust and watch God work.
Now, that decision brings her to the U.S. Supreme Court.
John, this is what courage looks like. This 76-year-old grandmother is willing to risk so much for her freedom—and yours.
If the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Barronelle’s case, those who are working to strip away your religious freedom here in America will have won a significant battle.
With this precedent in hand, there’s no telling what the government could one day force you to do against your religious objections.
Your tax-deductible gift today can help us reach our $70,000 goal to defend freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court—for Barronelle—and for us all. Will you help protect our most cherished liberties?
[link removed]
DONATE
[link removed]
No one should be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood
It never should have gotten this far, John.
Barronelle knew her longtime customer Rob Ingersoll was in a same-sex relationship. That never mattered to her; Barronelle serves everyone, and she served Rob for nearly 10 years. She considered him a friend.
But when Rob asked Barronelle to create custom floral arrangements celebrating his same-sex wedding, Barronelle knew in her heart that it wasn’t something she could do.
For Barronelle, marriage is a sacred religious event. And wedding arrangements require Barronelle to pour her heart, soul, and time into crafting something special. She meets with the couple, learns about their plans, creates custom arrangements unique for their day, and decorates the venue with her handiwork. Barronelle is very involved in the process.
She can’t participate in a sacred ceremony that violates her faith.
So Barronelle walked Rob to a quiet part of her shop, took his hand in her own, and gently told him why she couldn’t do what he asked. She then referred him to three floral artists who she knew would do a good job for him. Rob said that he understood, and they hugged before he left the shop.
Barronelle thought that was the end of it. But the situation escalated quickly.
Rob’s partner posted on social media about what happened. The post garnered so much attention that the Washington attorney general heard about it through news reports and decided to file a lawsuit against Barronelle. Then, the ACLU joined in and also sued her.
As the storm around Barronelle grew, she experienced first-hand the attacks that many are facing for daring to run their business and live their lives consistently with their faith.
It didn’t matter that Barronelle had treated Rob with kindness and respect.
After all, being a compassionate person doesn’t mean you do everything that everyone asks you to do. Barronelle doesn’t use her floral art to express all messages—plain and simple. But it does mean that you treat everyone with respect and dignity.
This is exactly what Barronelle does. She serves everyone who comes into her flower shop—she always has. And she does it because she loves Jesus first and foremost, and she wants to live her life in a way that honors Him.
But sadly, Barronelle hasn’t been afforded the same courtesy.
Instead of respect and dignity, Barronelle has been treated with blatant hostility, and her Christian faith has been met with disgust.
Now, Barronelle has spent the last seven years in court while the State of Washington and the ACLU have done everything they can to make an example of her.
They’ve assaulted Barronelle’s character and her professional reputation. And the ACLU continues to threaten Barronelle with financial ruin from crippling attorney’s fees.
But Barronelle refuses to give up her freedom without a fight.
We all have a stake in this historic legal battle, John Your tax-deductible gift today ensures people of faith like Barronelle always have a strong legal defense for their freedoms—and yours.
[link removed]
The U.S. Supreme Court can still deliver justice for Barronelle
The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that the government can force Barronelle to celebrate and participate in events that violate her faith.
This is a dangerous precedent and a direct attack on religious freedom. We refuse to let it stand unchallenged.
That’s why we have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn this decision and deliver justice for Barronelle.
This is a critical moment for Barronelle—and for people of faith everywhere.
We’re asking the Court to hear Barronelle’s case and uphold her freedom to live and work according to her beliefs about marriage without fear of punishment from the government.
John, if you’re keeping count, you know this is the second time that Barronelle has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court.
It’s sad that it’s come to this.
The high court had previously given the Washington Supreme Court a second chance to protect Barronelle’s freedom in light of the victory for Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop. But the Washington Supreme Court declined to make things right.
Instead, the Washington Supreme Court doubled down and denied Barronelle’s freedom once again.
The court got it wrong.
As you know, there is a big difference between Barronelle declining to participate in an event that violates her conscience and someone declining to serve a person because of who they are.
Barronelle has always served all people. But now the government is telling her that’s not enough. The State of Washington has demanded that in addition to serving everyone, she must also use her artistic talents to celebrate a ceremony that conflicts with her faith.
This is a blatant violation of Barronelle’s First Amendment freedoms.
It can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring a case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Barronelle could never afford to take this stand for freedom on her own.
But because of God’s provision (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and support, Barronelle was able to appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court a second time.
This has been a long and drawn out legal battle. And ADF is committed to funding Barronelle’s legal defense at no cost to her—no matter how long it takes.
Will you help us continue to fight for Barronelle, and for all people of faith, with your tax-deductible gift today?
[link removed]
If it can happen to a sweet grandmother like Barronelle, it can happen to any of us
Barronelle holds a belief that millions of people of faith across the world share—that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
It’s probably a belief that you share, John.
Even the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged that this belief is “decent and honorable.”
But that’s not how the State of Washington and the ACLU see it. They are doing everything they can to promote their favored viewpoint of marriage and punish those who don’t fall in line.
They are using Barronelle to send a message to us all: Ignore your beliefs or face the consequences.
But as you know, your faith must be lived out. And your beliefs affect everything you do.
It’s no different for Barronelle. Though she loves Rob and would be happy to serve him for another decade, she cannot agree to celebrate an event that violates her faith. And she shouldn’t have to choose between her faith and her livelihood—none of us should.
So please don’t wait.
Make your tax-deductible gift today to defend freedom for Barronelle and for all people to peacefully live and work consistently with their faith.
[link removed]
Together we can fight—and WIN—for freedom!
Last year, ADF received more than 4,000 legal requests.
Many of these calls come from people of faith like Barronelle who are being punished for living out their beliefs. They are small business owners, church members, and students—everyday people like you who simply want to honor God with their life and work.
These people desperately need help to defend their First Amendment freedoms. And because ADF doesn’t charge clients for the legal defense we provide, their fight isn’t possible without you, John.
We cannot back down when our most cherished liberties are threatened. We must stand for freedom—all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. And ADF is committed to defending courageous individuals, churches, and other organizations that are willing to take that stand.
That’s why your tax-deductible gift today is so critical.
God continues to bless ADF with opportunities to fight and win for freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court, and you are a key part of that, John.
Because of the prayers and faithful support of people like you, ADF has become one of the most successful U.S. Supreme Court advocates, having won 11 cases at the high court since 2011.
Each of these victories plays a part in ensuring our constitutional freedoms are protected today—and for your children and grandchildren.
People like Barronelle are counting on you.
Barronelle has repeatedly said that she doesn’t want anyone else to have to go through what she has endured. And she knows it’s not just her own religious freedom on the line—it’s yours too.
With every case you fund, every victory you help achieve, and every client you lift up in prayer, you help protect the freedom to live out your faith.
We are so thankful for the work that God has already done through Barronelle and her willingness to be bold for Christ. With your prayers and support, we can continue to stand with her in her time of need.
Today, you can help protect freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court. And when you do, your gift will help us reach our $70,000 goal to defend Barronelle—and others like her.
[link removed]
Thank you for giving generously.
DONATE NOW
[link removed]
Blessings,
Sarah Kramer
Digital Content Specialist
Alliance Defending Freedom
DONATE
[link removed]
© 2020 Alliance Defending Freedom
15100 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.
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Case Updates
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Barronelle needs a win at the U.S. Supreme Court—religious freedom is at stake!
[link removed]
Dear John,
Have you ever taken a stand, knowing that it would be a defining moment in your life?
For Washington floral artist Barronelle Stutzman, gently telling her longtime friend and customer that she could not create custom floral art celebrating his same-sex wedding wasn’t that defining moment.
The defining moment for Barronelle came later.
It came after discovering that the Washington attorney general had filed a lawsuit against her without any formal complaint ever being made. It came after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also sued her, putting her business and life savings at risk if she loses her case. It came after Barronelle began receiving hate mail and death threats, forcing her to install security cameras and change her regular routines for safety reasons.
Barronelle’s defining moment was her decision to trust and watch God work.
Now, that decision brings her to the U.S. Supreme Court.
John, this is what courage looks like. This 76-year-old grandmother is willing to risk so much for her freedom—and yours.
If the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Barronelle’s case, those who are working to strip away your religious freedom here in America will have won a significant battle.
With this precedent in hand, there’s no telling what the government could one day force you to do against your religious objections.
Your tax-deductible gift today can help us reach our $70,000 goal to defend freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court—for Barronelle—and for us all. Will you help protect our most cherished liberties?
[link removed]
DONATE
[link removed]
No one should be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood
It never should have gotten this far, John.
Barronelle knew her longtime customer Rob Ingersoll was in a same-sex relationship. That never mattered to her; Barronelle serves everyone, and she served Rob for nearly 10 years. She considered him a friend.
But when Rob asked Barronelle to create custom floral arrangements celebrating his same-sex wedding, Barronelle knew in her heart that it wasn’t something she could do.
For Barronelle, marriage is a sacred religious event. And wedding arrangements require Barronelle to pour her heart, soul, and time into crafting something special. She meets with the couple, learns about their plans, creates custom arrangements unique for their day, and decorates the venue with her handiwork. Barronelle is very involved in the process.
She can’t participate in a sacred ceremony that violates her faith.
So Barronelle walked Rob to a quiet part of her shop, took his hand in her own, and gently told him why she couldn’t do what he asked. She then referred him to three floral artists who she knew would do a good job for him. Rob said that he understood, and they hugged before he left the shop.
Barronelle thought that was the end of it. But the situation escalated quickly.
Rob’s partner posted on social media about what happened. The post garnered so much attention that the Washington attorney general heard about it through news reports and decided to file a lawsuit against Barronelle. Then, the ACLU joined in and also sued her.
As the storm around Barronelle grew, she experienced first-hand the attacks that many are facing for daring to run their business and live their lives consistently with their faith.
It didn’t matter that Barronelle had treated Rob with kindness and respect.
After all, being a compassionate person doesn’t mean you do everything that everyone asks you to do. Barronelle doesn’t use her floral art to express all messages—plain and simple. But it does mean that you treat everyone with respect and dignity.
This is exactly what Barronelle does. She serves everyone who comes into her flower shop—she always has. And she does it because she loves Jesus first and foremost, and she wants to live her life in a way that honors Him.
But sadly, Barronelle hasn’t been afforded the same courtesy.
Instead of respect and dignity, Barronelle has been treated with blatant hostility, and her Christian faith has been met with disgust.
Now, Barronelle has spent the last seven years in court while the State of Washington and the ACLU have done everything they can to make an example of her.
They’ve assaulted Barronelle’s character and her professional reputation. And the ACLU continues to threaten Barronelle with financial ruin from crippling attorney’s fees.
But Barronelle refuses to give up her freedom without a fight.
We all have a stake in this historic legal battle, John Your tax-deductible gift today ensures people of faith like Barronelle always have a strong legal defense for their freedoms—and yours.
[link removed]
The U.S. Supreme Court can still deliver justice for Barronelle
The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that the government can force Barronelle to celebrate and participate in events that violate her faith.
This is a dangerous precedent and a direct attack on religious freedom. We refuse to let it stand unchallenged.
That’s why we have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn this decision and deliver justice for Barronelle.
This is a critical moment for Barronelle—and for people of faith everywhere.
We’re asking the Court to hear Barronelle’s case and uphold her freedom to live and work according to her beliefs about marriage without fear of punishment from the government.
John, if you’re keeping count, you know this is the second time that Barronelle has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court.
It’s sad that it’s come to this.
The high court had previously given the Washington Supreme Court a second chance to protect Barronelle’s freedom in light of the victory for Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop. But the Washington Supreme Court declined to make things right.
Instead, the Washington Supreme Court doubled down and denied Barronelle’s freedom once again.
The court got it wrong.
As you know, there is a big difference between Barronelle declining to participate in an event that violates her conscience and someone declining to serve a person because of who they are.
Barronelle has always served all people. But now the government is telling her that’s not enough. The State of Washington has demanded that in addition to serving everyone, she must also use her artistic talents to celebrate a ceremony that conflicts with her faith.
This is a blatant violation of Barronelle’s First Amendment freedoms.
It can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring a case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Barronelle could never afford to take this stand for freedom on her own.
But because of God’s provision (John 15:5) and your faithful prayers and support, Barronelle was able to appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court a second time.
This has been a long and drawn out legal battle. And ADF is committed to funding Barronelle’s legal defense at no cost to her—no matter how long it takes.
Will you help us continue to fight for Barronelle, and for all people of faith, with your tax-deductible gift today?
[link removed]
If it can happen to a sweet grandmother like Barronelle, it can happen to any of us
Barronelle holds a belief that millions of people of faith across the world share—that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
It’s probably a belief that you share, John.
Even the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged that this belief is “decent and honorable.”
But that’s not how the State of Washington and the ACLU see it. They are doing everything they can to promote their favored viewpoint of marriage and punish those who don’t fall in line.
They are using Barronelle to send a message to us all: Ignore your beliefs or face the consequences.
But as you know, your faith must be lived out. And your beliefs affect everything you do.
It’s no different for Barronelle. Though she loves Rob and would be happy to serve him for another decade, she cannot agree to celebrate an event that violates her faith. And she shouldn’t have to choose between her faith and her livelihood—none of us should.
So please don’t wait.
Make your tax-deductible gift today to defend freedom for Barronelle and for all people to peacefully live and work consistently with their faith.
[link removed]
Together we can fight—and WIN—for freedom!
Last year, ADF received more than 4,000 legal requests.
Many of these calls come from people of faith like Barronelle who are being punished for living out their beliefs. They are small business owners, church members, and students—everyday people like you who simply want to honor God with their life and work.
These people desperately need help to defend their First Amendment freedoms. And because ADF doesn’t charge clients for the legal defense we provide, their fight isn’t possible without you, John.
We cannot back down when our most cherished liberties are threatened. We must stand for freedom—all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. And ADF is committed to defending courageous individuals, churches, and other organizations that are willing to take that stand.
That’s why your tax-deductible gift today is so critical.
God continues to bless ADF with opportunities to fight and win for freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court, and you are a key part of that, John.
Because of the prayers and faithful support of people like you, ADF has become one of the most successful U.S. Supreme Court advocates, having won 11 cases at the high court since 2011.
Each of these victories plays a part in ensuring our constitutional freedoms are protected today—and for your children and grandchildren.
People like Barronelle are counting on you.
Barronelle has repeatedly said that she doesn’t want anyone else to have to go through what she has endured. And she knows it’s not just her own religious freedom on the line—it’s yours too.
With every case you fund, every victory you help achieve, and every client you lift up in prayer, you help protect the freedom to live out your faith.
We are so thankful for the work that God has already done through Barronelle and her willingness to be bold for Christ. With your prayers and support, we can continue to stand with her in her time of need.
Today, you can help protect freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court. And when you do, your gift will help us reach our $70,000 goal to defend Barronelle—and others like her.
[link removed]
Thank you for giving generously.
DONATE NOW
[link removed]
Blessings,
Sarah Kramer
Digital Content Specialist
Alliance Defending Freedom
DONATE
[link removed]
© 2020 Alliance Defending Freedom
15100 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.
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[link removed]
Don’t want to receive the Case Updates emails anymore?
Click here to manage your email preferences.
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