Should it be illegal to refuse to provide a service to gay customers...

[Cold War Liberal]

1.  The idea that people are "born gay" is an assertion; it is not an accepted fact, even in science.  I am saying that for those on this forum who wish to state this over and over so people believe it before it is proven.  It may be proven someday, but it is not proven as of this writing.  I don't see this as changing people from what they were born as (although I recognize many are unalterably convinced of this, albeit with surprisingly little proof).

Well I tried choosing to be straight and it only led to a decade of self hatred, depression, miserable relationships with women that ended in nothing but pain on both sides, and a few suicidal thoughts thrown in there too, sooo...

Why would anyone choose to be gay? It's not nearly as easy as being straight. I mean, I sure as hell don't want to be gay, and yet here I am, a 6 on the Kinsey scale.

I find the evidence that one is born gay far more compelling that the evidence that one isn't. Additionally, I have my own personal experience, which reinforces that.

[Cold War Liberal]

Exactly this.

As for the small business argument- lol Republicans. Protecting small businesses is done because they're an important backbone of the economy, not because they're actual human beings with rights. So yes, they should get economic protections, but discriminating against homosexuals doesn't help them economically so I couldn't care less about their non-existant "rights" on this issue.

I 100% disagree, I think Small Business should be far less regulated in every area than big business and corporations. Also while the small business is not a human being the small business owner is and forcing him to bake a cake you can argue violates his rights. Lastly, your point on them losing economically if they refuse service, I don't see why then the government should get involved then because that's the free market doing what it does best.

Also I believe an Athiest Baker should have the right to reject to bake a wedding cake for a religious wedding and that baker shouldnt be punished for it.

No one is forcing someone to bake a cake. The baker has decided to sell his products on the market. People are trying to ensure he sells to all people who seek the services he offers, not just those he likes. People have a right to hate gay people but you can make the argument that you give up that right when you choose to sell things to people, just like you give up the right to hate black people when you choose to participate in the market.

[Cold War Liberal]

It's not an issue of being gay.

It's an issue of belief.

I have muslim employees in my team. When Ramadan is on, they dont want to go into the desert and explore because they will need water.

But their religious belief tells them they cannot drink water between 5:30am-5:30pm.

So i cannot send people 100km into the desert for mineral exploration without water.

You have to find alternative work for them. And next Saturday, they will be flown back to Perth for their Food Festivus.

So i look after them.

The same situation exists with Mr Straight Wedding Cake.

You cannot force him to serve customers against his belief.

To waste your time trying is more of an indictment on the person trying to stir them up to begin with.

pretty flimsy equivalency
the customers aren't asking the baker to MARRY them lmfao

No, they're not. They are asking for much worse. They are asking for the art of a human being to be taken and changed to mean something other than its intended meaning by means of force to convey something that the artist does not believe.

And if force were applied strongly enough, that's the perfect time to start tinkering with your recipe.

What the actual eff is this?

Are you suggesting that cake bakers should poison gay people for wanting the same access to all goods and services as straight people?