Fairness in Ashers Bakery verdict

A summary for the case: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ashers-bakery-lose-gay-cake-case-we-will-not-be-closing-down-we-have-not-done-anything-wrong-says-boss-31233797.html

After reading bout this case, I have some thoughts to share especially to those who supported this ruling.

Before all else, pls note that I am a Christian and my opinions are never intending to hurt or disrespect anybody. Feel free to challenge them.

Firstly, i would like to address the problem with our society today - "being overly sensitive towards certain things too easily". Looking carefully into the facts, it is actually just a Christian refusing to ice a cake with the motto "supporting gay marriage". What he did was only expressing his personal stance against SUPPORTING gay marriage. I believe he never meant to look down on the customer or discriminate him in any ways to continue buying bread from his shop in the future. Sometimes, it is the wording that is the main issue here : "Support". Frankly speaking, isn't it already a general knowledge to you folks that Christianity does not support gay marriages? But many of us Christians, have always tried our best to still respect everyone on the grounds of sexual orientations. For instance taking me as an example, I would try to avoid this very sensitive topics and still embrace my fellow friends no matter how you are like wink emoticon , just not by accompanying you in any gay rights campaigns whatsoever. I'm not off topic, because i think Ashers bakery is actually trying to respect his customer by just merely turning away from making the cake. There is no mentioning on whether he had verbally insulted the customer. We practice Christianity all the while holding onto our genuine beliefs because the law allows us to, remember Religious Freedom? Freedom of expression? We must learn to accept the fact that there is definitely going to have conflicts of interests because we live in a pluralist society, so the bottom line here is to justify the definition of "respect" for each other. And don't forget, a business owner is not obliged to sell anything to anyone even if they r willing to pay for them, so it's definitely not unreasonable or disproportionate to allow a Christian shop owner to act in this manner, provided that they did so in a polite manner.

Secondly, I understand that this action may result in hurting the claimant's feelings in some way, but I find it is unnecessary to bring this matter to court if plainly on this argument. Who among us never felt hurt by actions or inactions of ppl in our surroundings in the process of growing up? Let's say you genuinely wanted to pursue a certain ambition but was opposed by ur parents, do you sue them for this? well unless they abused you then its a different story. Everyone has a CHOICE and different personal preferences because of their religious beliefs, so you just take it or leave it, it won't affect your status in any way actually, it is unfair to FORCE people into compromising completely for your interests alone.

Thirdly, I believe this ruling has disappointed many Christians because it has indirectly attacked the principles in Christianity, declaring publicly that it is of lower standard when it comes to gay rights, and that we Christians have no standing at all in relation to compromising for the interests of the LGBT community in the future even if the action is deemed proportionate in the eyes of a neutral body.

Conclusion, i am not saying that this lawsuit is of absolute no sense at all, its just unnecessarily brought up. And therefore, i am supporting for an appeal for this case.

God bless

Mandy W

You and I can make a difference.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Had just attended a very meaningful youth camp, the speaker was fantastic.. !

He shared about his colourful journey in life and had talked about important practical life values. His sharing was powerful and inspiring at the same time, and one will never get bored listening to him, because well, he always bring along that sense of humour with him XD

This camp was very interesting, because he had touched on a very sensitive issue, which was the "Boy-Girl-Relationship" issue. I was surprised because he was able to answer the questions hanging around my head so.. perfectly. Okay, maybe perfect was not really a suitable word to use, but his answers had really helped me to get rid a lot of "headaches" :) God loves us so much and had prepared the best for us, so what for rushing into relationships and end up finding yourself lost in the crossroads of life? I believe that God will reveal this secret someone's identity to us at the right time. And before this happens, for the time being, we have to set standards for ourselves, and live a pure life. Do you know that Psalm 119:9 from the Bible says that every young people like us will be able to keep our ways pure, just by living according to His(God) Words ? God is love, and so whoever does not know Him, does not know love. He has given us the ability to feel love since the day we were born, so it is only right if we manage this feeling wisely :)

Today's world is getting messier and messier, it is very sad to see so many youths are lost and it's even heartbreaking to see them giving up on hope and love one by one. They need proper guidances. Jesus brings Salvation and we, as the children of God, and believers of the Truth, are His representatives on earth to demonstrate true love. When people see us setting good examples, they are reminded of God, and bit by bit, they will be attracted to the light.

We are the salt of the earth. Together, staying in unity and with the help and grace from God, we can make a difference. We can change the world into a better place.

God bless,

Mandy

Be Honest, okay?

Now i finally understand how to hear from God. I never thought that it was so simple. 

You just have to key in the password - humbleness.

I've learnt a precious lesson. I thank God because He is faithful, although i'm as stubborn as always, but He hadn't given up on me, and had carefully guided me through every up's and down's. If He had never showed up in my life, i am pretty sure that i will fall into the enemy's trap, and the "best" part is tat i will never even get the chance to realise that awful fact. oohh! Thank God, like seriously. You get what i mean?

To be honest, i am not really somebody whom you think or thought i am. At least, in some ways la. Don't take my words wrongly, i don't mean that i am actually the legendary Mr Hyde who acts like a gentleman when broad daylight but turns out to be a killer monster by midnight. It's just that i am not really honest in expressing my true colours. My motives of doing things were often based on good intentions, but... the problem is, i wanted to be recognised and to be able to please everyone... so i had bought myself an invisible mask. But this mask of mine had injected me a lot of side effects, as days gone by, one day i found myself not being able to laugh naturally anymore. It's not sadness or anger, but some kind of overflow awkwardness that had flooded my entire "nervous system". 

Then, i had this chance to met a group of people, or in other words, friends that belongs to a same family. :) 

Yes, church. youth. Christ.

It's always relaxing and fun being with them. They taught me the Truth and i got better. It isn't really easy to open up the lock of my heart but through Him, i was able to do so and guess what, i love to laugh now and won't stop laughing :P

That invisible mask of mine was lifted bit by bit! but the story doesn't end here, the pride that i had accumulated somehow got its way back when i was doin great in my academics. Since then, i became proud mentally and was determined that i am capable in making my own decision. I soon treated God like He was a neighbour, not a father anymore. I struggled to hear God's voice and i claimed that it was because of environmental factors. Everything was an excuse to hide the truth. -yea pride, of course. I am no longer ashamed to share everything out anymore. The truth had set me free. And this freedom is the peace of heart and joy that i am seeking.

Back to the topic, okay those above were a brief-but-still-long personal introduction of me..once used to be la . 

I had a dream since young, to become a doctor. Reason? unknown. I just wanted to become one and to achieve something someday. So this is my so called ambition until form 3. But thinking of it, there is no reason why i should not take up this course also, since i had everything i needed. I have the capability and financial support enough for me to complete it. But is it God's will and destiny for me to become a doctor? i wasn't really sure, i am just so full of myself. Biology seemed interesting, so why not? i thought to myself.

I admit that i am a very status-oriented person. I strive hard to get recognition and attention almost in everything i do. So when i enjoyed studying sc, i told everyone that i wanted to become a doctor or a surgeon one day. At that time, i felt so happy when every member of my relatives and friends showed a confirmation for me and was so proud of me. This made me thought that i had made the right career choice because this career can give me all the attention and admiration i want. Not many people were able to pursue Medicine right? So this is the kind of challenge that i am interested to set foot in. I prayed and asked my church friends and even parents to pray over this matter, but surprisingly sharp people like them wasn't able to give me a sure answer about this. This is strange, but so what? it's a good career and this is a good chance to prove myself better than anybody else.

Although i liked this idea very much in the beginning, but i got less confident in that choice of mine as days gone by. This is because i started to feel that Sc is hard and my interest for it is dropping. I prayed to God to give me confirmation if i should continue this dream of mine, but nothing went well. If i should make a conclusion, it was as if God was trying to tell me His answer. But i chose to shut my heart because this was not the answer i wanted to hear. T.T

The voice got clearer and i KNEW that this wasn't my destiny-to-be. But why? i ask God. Then a pastor came and made me clear. If i was made for the job, i am surely to automatically have the passion and skills imparted in me. So I asked myself, what is the skills becoming a doctor? Very disciplined, closed social working environment, routine-based. OMG this is definitely not something i wanted to spend my whole life with. But i don't have the courage to tell everyone about this, HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO TELL EVERYONE THAT I AM NOT MEANT TO BECOME A DOCTOR WHEN I WAS SO SURE ABOUT PURSUE-ING IT IN THE BEGINNING. I even told everyone about which medic uni i am goin into, and bla bla so on. THIS IS EMBARASSMENT, well to me.

Then, i made a skill check on myself. okay, it seemed that i am suitable to go for careers based on social sciences... but because of the pride or the "face", i chose to keep this a secret and still holding onto the whole doctor thingi.

Then one day, i heard my parents mentioning about being a politician. We used to make fun together, talking and joking about someday i might become a politician or maybe the prime minister. We laughed so hard, but some strange feeling stirred up inside of me. I don't understand it by that time, i asked God again about this, i felt... peace. Oh my! seriously?! I don't dare to think of it anymore because who am i? how is it possible that i am to become a politician? Don't be silly God, and i bet my parents wouldn't agree to let me study politcal sc anyway. Haiz,  and so, I only make this as a joke to share to my friends. We certainly shared good times laughing together. haha! 

SPM passed, it's finally time for me to decide which course to study. And of course, i went to some education fairs and only acquire informations about Medicine courses. But in between, many people came to tell my parents that Medicine is a very stressful career and had advised them not to let me involve in it. My parents came to talk to me. I am very sad at first, thinking that they were not being supportive. At that time, i got closer to God, unknowingly, i had this habit of asking God when i am in confusion. Nothing happened, but as i wondered where was God, 2 words striked me hard! It's like a vision, or something like that, a feeling. 

The words were.. HUMBLE YOURSELF.

Okay......weird..... what is "humble myself" goin to help solve my headache? So I prayed again.  Then suddenly many thoughts came flooding in, and i saw myself suffering from the pride that i had "invested" in. I soon realized that it was God trying to tell me something! Doctor is not my thing, and i have to stay humble enough to be honest with myself. Only by that, i am able to have a breakthrough and see things more clearly for my future.

I prayed to God for courage and humbleness, and finally after a few days, i was ready to tell my parents about my decision not to study medicine. They were shocked! and their expressions were priceless hehe xD 

I saw the confusion in their eyes and explained my standings to them. They both understood and were very happy to see me finally realizing what is important. And so, we prayed together about what courses should i take.. when i prayed, p.o.l.i.t.c.i.a.n came to my mind again. Gosh, it's so annoying. I thought my imagination was playing with me again. But what happened next, shock me more!! My parents....asked...me...if i am interested to pursue political sc........ OMG OMG OMG is this coincidence?!

Something called joy stirred inside me!! I just keep on nodding my head....!! I can't really think of anything else by that time... it's like I WANT IT XD The feeling is like when you passed by a toy shop and u spotted a teddy bear that u want, and your parents asked if you want to buy it or not, u just keep on nodding your head like crazy!! haha xD 

I don't know why i am reacting so much about it, maybe it's because i've finally found something i really like. Talking and being sociable is my hobby. Maybe that's the reason? I don't know, but i felt like more is coming and God will reveal it to me when the time has come.

Relating to my first paragraph, how is this connected to hearing from God? If you had noticed, do you realized that actually i am very keen and had always hope to get an answer from God, but wasn't really able to hear from Him when i was being so prideful? But then when i realized that i was wrong and had admitted it, i was being honest to myself by humbling down. And just by that simple thought, God spoke to me and had guided me to a path. I was lost, but now am found. I am really glad i am finally a true brave girl.

A pastor once said, 

IF YOU ARE IN DARKNESS, SWITCH ON THE LIGHTS. 

SHOW AND BE IN THE TRUTH, AND IT WILL SET YOU FREE. 

I am free today, by the grace of God!! All praise to Him :D

God bless,

Mandy