A judge said as a business, Ashers were not exempt from discrimination law.

A judge has ruled that a Christian-run bakery discriminated against a gay customer over its refusal to make a cake with a slogan supporting same-sex marriage.

Ashers Baking Company, based in County Antrim, was taken to court by gay rights activist Gareth Lee.

A Belfast judge said Ashers were not exempt from discrimination law.

Ashers are "conducting a business for profit", they are not a religious group, the judge said.

They were found to have discriminated against Mr Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The judge said he accepted that Ashers have "genuine and deeply held" religious views, but said they were not above the law.

BBC NI reporter Mark Simpson said there was "dignified, calm silence from all sides in court" as the judge explained his decision.

The judge has been speaking for more than a hour, but has not revealed what sanction Ashers will face.

Mr Lee had claimed the bakery discriminated against him on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

Ashers said the slogan was against their Christian beliefs.

Speaking outside the Belfast court ahead of Tuesday's ruling, Ashers general manager Daniel McArthur said: "We happily serve everyone but we cannot promote a cause that goes against what the Bible says about marriage.

"We have tried to be guided in our actions by our Christian beliefs."

Crystal-Maze wrote:
I'm not getting mad, it would just be a nicer thread if we could hang back from pointing out how many (mainly derogatory) words for gay we could make into puns about cake.

 SilverMK2 wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:
I imagine they will be forced to shut down. DOn't think this is an actual victory for anyone but one group of fanatics over another group.

Thats what happened in the case in the US. Instead of a light fine, the partnership was effectively forced into bankruptcy. The activists won and obliterated a bakery that had been minding its own business.

Moral, just because you're right doesn't mean you aren't being a dick.

And just because you are wrong and being a dick you should be able to go right on being wrong and a dick?

Edit: Typo

 welshhoppo wrote:

 Alex C wrote:

 welshhoppo wrote:
Religion has no place in the modern world.

Except it does.

Despite attention-grabbing news headlines depicting the darker side of religion to the exclusion of all else, the vast majority of my experience with various religions has been positive. Religion brings, to most people who practice it, a sense of purpose and spiritual fulfillment that enhances their lives and helps them cope with difficult situations.

I know it's popular these days to scoff at religious beliefs (while the same people often preach tolerance of others, ironically), but it is something that a lot of people find comfort in. I don't see how that is a bad thing, and if it helps people in their lives, it most definitely has a place in our world.

Mostly because it creates situations like this, where people feel more attached to their god than they do to physical people which actually matter.