Today we are discussing a couple of the current Supreme Court cases regarding religious liberty and how they affect you. Why are both the Trinity Lutheran Church Supreme Court case and the case regarding Masterpiece Cake Shop important to the average Christian?

We spend some time discussing the First Amendment and free exercise of religion, and a quick history of the Blaine Amendment. The First Amendment includes free exercise of religion, but it isn't freedom from religion.

We also discuss the Masterpiece Cake Shop case. The owner, Jack Phillips, never refused to sell baked goods to the gay couple, but because of his faith, refused to use his design skills to create a unique cake celebrating a gay marriage. This is not a case about discrimination, but another case about the free exercise of religion.

Can Christians keep their beliefs private and keep them out of the public sphere as many would have us do? We don't think so. How can we share our beliefs publicly with gentleness and respect?

1 Pet. 3:15-16 - "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."