Business and belief

Refusing to conduct business purely because of sexual orientation or gender is against the discrimination laws in some states or cities. However it doesn't appear to be in Alabama. I would check your municipal laws.

Human Rights Campaign : Alabama State Laws

 

Let me say first that I think practicing homosexuality is wrong. I don't think there is any question of that in the Bible.

However, I don't think that refusing the opportunity to do business is the way we show the love, mercy and grace that has been given to us by Jesus Christ.

Maybe this is an opportunity where one can establish a formal relationship with them, show them the love of Jesus and then eventually maybe the Holy Spirit will allow the opportunity for them to come to know Christ.

Hate sin (both personal and among others) and love the sinners! Just because they are gay doesn't take away their rights as human beings.

If we don't allow these guys to do business, then we can't allow others to do business either, because they may be involved in adultery or porn or who knows what else.

Do business with them and show them the love, grace and mercy of Christ in hopes that one day the Holy Spirit will be able to use that witness as a part of the puzzle that leads the to Jesus, hopefully in the near future.

 

So it sounds like a comfort issue for her other customers.

My point was simply to tread carefully with recommended advice that could potentially be illegal in some regions of the country.

As for what God expects, I believe the bible is silent on the topic of conducting business with homosexuals. Assuming they are non-Christians, I believe God would expect us to treat them the way we treat any non-Christian, to be Christ's witness to them.

The business owner may find a good opportunity to make them aware that she considers their actions to be sinful, maybe after a relationship of trust is built between them. However it is the Holy Spirit's responsibility to convict them of their own sin and their responsibility to avoid it when they are convicted.

 

At first I wasn't sure when I read this, either. But then, menageriekeeper, what do alot of kids DO at their prom? Isn't it still considered a time when most kids will "fool" around? So if she is willing to sell kids dresses for functions like that, where they may indeed be sinning as well, what would be the difference in selling the same garment to a gay person to have them do the same thing in....only they'll be dating a person of the same gender.

Do you see what Im getting at?

I mean, if she were going to be consistent she'd also have to go through all her garments and make sure they were very modest so as not to violate Scripture in that area......maybe she already has done that, Im not assuming that she is out of line.

I think the others are making good points, as well.

 

I'm totally against the drive to grant special rights to the homos.

Conversely, to deny them the same rights any other person has, also goes against my grain.

My biggest gripe with these folks is their attempts to force me to endorse (by way of legalities or trying to shame me) their actions as "NORMAL".

If they act like normal people, I'll treat them like normal people.

And frankly I don't want to know whether they're homos or not, so just don't try to force me to accept that lifestyle aand we'll probably get along OK!

 

They are not believers and are going just as fast to hell as anyone else who does not believe.

 

Is it all right to do business with a homosexual? Yes

Is it all right to do EVERY business with a homosexual? No.

If I owned a gun shop I would not sell a gun to a criminal, terrorist, mental patient, etc. (Federal crime and just plain stupid)

If I owned a car rental business I would not rent a car to a drunken person.

If I owned a bank I would not hire a known thief.

If I owned a bridal shop and a homosexual came in to buy a dress I would sell it to him unless he tells me it is for a gay wedding and then I would not. The world would not understand this. I would not expect them to. If I owned a hotel I would not rent a room to unmarried couples (If I know this). Bars are not allowed to sell alcohol to people who are drunk so why should I sell the means for homosexuals to practice their perversion. If I owned a restarant I would serve them dinner but would not cater their reception.

I'm not selling lighter fluid to an arsonist

 

Just a note that the above scenarios are preventing both immoral and criminal behaviour.

The above are preventing immoral and not criminal behaviour. Their prevention may in fact be criminal in some states.

 

This comment made me wonder. Is there ever a command in scripture for us to actively prevent the sin of others? Or to be held accountable for indirectly aiding the probable sin of others?

Our criminal code does have negligence laws that prevent us from helping criminal sin.

I just wanted to point out the legal difference that business owners should be aware of before they choose their actions. While well meaning someimtes those actions can be criminal themselves.

 

I personally feel the lifestyle they've chosen is wrong and I believe that everyone in business should have the right to refuse service if they find the customer offensive.

However,if the homosexual decided to go to a civil rights lawyer and he took you into federal court, you would most likely lose your shop, house and the shirt on your back. Many years ago before I became a Christian I sold insurance 8And we all know how people feel about insurance salesman), if I refused to sell to someone based on their sexuality I would have lost my license, if you rent property and you refuse to rent your house to gays because you find their lifestyle offensive, you will most likely lose your property in court if they sue.

Is life fair, not very often. If the guy wants to buy a dress and make an even bigger fool of himself, let him. If your still not comfortable, tell him this - "My selections are small, you may also want to look at this shop or that shop, their selection is larger (this sends them away feeling that you tried to help). Its all in how you tell them to leave. If I say "you have a face that could stop a clock", you'd get mad and offended, but if I say "When I look at you all time stands still", you'd feel complimented.