Conscience and that cake!
I have been watching the Ashers 'equality' story unfolding for some time, but only now have I decided to go public with my views on this complex issue. Firstly, I feel great empathy for the owners of Ashers, who appear to be sincere and humble people. They did not seek the media storm that has followed their polite refusal to make a cake decorated with a pro-homosexual marriage message. They did not discriminate against a customer on the basis of sexuality or any other personal trait - they simply felt uncomfortable producing a product that bore a message they could not support in good conscience. I expect the vast majority of sensible people will sympathise with this. I wish this family had not found themselves in the courts and I feel frustrated that a publically funded body has supported the case against them. Secondly, however, I am uneasy with the Christian protests about the case. Thousands of Christians gathered at Belfast's Waterfront Hall...