“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57
On the last day of the 2023 docket, which was Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a sizeable victory for free speech and religious liberty. In a 6-3 decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis the High Court rightly reaffirmed that the First Amendment’s protections are for all Americans and that the government cannot force Americans to speak or act in ways that violate their beliefs.
This sizeable victory centers around Lorie Smith who is the owner of 303 Creative which is a design studio where she focuses on graphic and website design to visually create messages for her clients. Among other services, Smith uses her specialization to create custom websites for weddings.
Due to her deeply held Christian belief and conviction that marriage is only between one man and one woman, she decided to file a pre-enforcement challenge to Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) so that she would not be forced to advance messages about marriage that go against her Biblical convictions. Smith feared that CADA would be used to target her as it is the same law that has been used to attack Jack Phillips for years now.
In July 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit stunningly decided that Smith must under the law offer her services to both traditional and same-sex weddings despite her Biblical convictions that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Following this decision, ADF attorneys filed a petition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear this case which thankfully was granted.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the prior decision and delivered not only a victory for Smith but for the First Amendment rights of all Americans. The U.S. Supreme Court in this decision made it clear that the government cannot infringe on Americans’ right to free speech and religious liberty.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for this decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that upholds our precious First Amendment rights. Lord, thank You for the courage displayed by Lorie Smith in her strong stand for Your truth about marriage. Father, empower us to always defend our First Amendment rights no matter the cost. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
