Washington, D.C — September 7, 2017. Today, the Center for Religious Expression (CRE) filed an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of 479 creative professionals, asking the Court uphold artistic freedom.
Jack Phillips is a cake artist, creating unique works of art to celebrate various events for his clients. He gladly serves anyone at all, but because his faith forbids him from creating cake art celebrating same-sex weddings, the State of Colorado has come down full force against Phillips, labelling his convictions illegal “discrimination.” According to the state, if Phillips promotes any weddings at all, he must promote same-sex weddings – or face the obliteration of his business. Baronelle Stutzman, a floral designer in Washington state, faces a similar dilemma. Though she will gladly sell products to anyone, she cannot use her artistic talents to create art supporting same-sex weddings. The state is now threatening to destroy her business, and seize her house and retirement savings to further their agenda.
Countless others are in the same position as Phillips and Stutzman, being forced to promote unbiblical causes − or face crippling fines, loss of business, jail time, and even compelled government indoctrination to purge them of their beliefs. CRE’s friend-of-the-Court brief highlights numerous other creative professionals who currently stand to lose it all for promoting their own views exclusively, pointing out the massive ramifications of this critical case. These professionals do not deny anyone service because of who they are – they simply refrain from promoting certain causes, in accordance with the core purpose of the First Amendment. But governments, in their zeal to stamp out disagreement with their ideological orthodoxy are forcing creatives to promote government-approved viewpoints. The First Amendment has no more certain antithesis.
Indeed, an adverse ruling would open a Pandora’s Box of problems for artists of all stripes. African-American artists would be forced to promote KKK functions. Political speechwriters would be forced to write speeches promoting candidates they oppose. The First Amendment right to refrain from conveying objectionable messages would be decimated. Free speech and religious liberty in America stand on a knife’s edge. Through amicus brief for hundreds of creative professionals, CRE is imploring the Supreme Court to secure these precious rights.
