The Humanities Program at Loma Linda University School of Religion is sponsoring an event examining a U.S. Supreme Court case on freedom of religious belief and civil liberties in the marketplace.
Two prominent lawyers will address the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in the program “Masterpiece Cakeshop Case: Equality, Dignity, and Religious Liberty” on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m., in Damazo Amphitheater in Centennial Complex, 24760 Stewart Street, Loma Linda.
The Masterpiece Cakeshop case involves Jack Philips, a baker in Lakewood, Colorado who refused to make a wedding cake for Charlie Craig and David Mullins because he felt their same-sex union violated his Christian beliefs. A series of lower courts have sided with Craig and Mullins, but the Supreme Court heard arguments on December 5. The Court’s decision is expected soon.
Two attorneys, David Cruz and Alan J. Reinach, will examine if creative businesses can refuse certain services due to their First Amendment rights of free speech and free exercise of religion in light of public accommodation laws. The duo will break down the case for a lay audience, explain the key arguments, and discuss the implications for the intersection of religion and law.
David Cruz, Professor of Law, University of Southern California, is a constitutional law expert focusing on civil rights and equality issues, including equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. Alan J. Reinach, JD, is Executive Director of the Church State Council, the religious liberty educational and advocacy arm of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which represents five western states: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist educational institution that integrates health, science and Christian faith. Encouraging respect for diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the heritage and global mission of Loma Linda University is to encourage personal and professional growth through knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and lifestyle choices.
For more information, contact the Humanities Program by calling 909-558-7478 or emailing humanities@llu.edu