The WRC case against us
In March 2005 we declined to design and print a same sex wedding invitation for two men, one an existing customer of ours. This led to a blaze of publicity over a three-day period and an eventual case being taken against us for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation with the Workplace Relations Commission, an agency with statutory powers in Ireland.
The statements we issued to help people understand our perspective in 2015 were the following:
We, at Beulah Print, are Bible-believing Christians who are committed to standing by our conscience and God’s Word. We have been in business since 2001 during which time we have held to our convictions and have at times declined a variety of work which we felt was clearly contrary to our beliefs. We have never hidden our faith from our customers and represent the gospel at every opportunity. We are not against homosexuals; however, we do not support same sex marriage, which designing and printing wedding invitations would do. We believe the love of God is extended to all people and that He has called us all to walk in the light of His word, for He is the way, the truth and the life.
Beliefs are what we hold true in our hearts. Our business is part of what we do with our lives here on earth. The two are part of who we are. How we do business is determined by what we believe – one cannot be divided one from the other. “Faith without works is dead.” James 2. 26
Everyone is entitled to their personal, private liberty to pursue what is important to them. However, we believe that whatever we do in this life, we will give an account for it before God and thus we are comforted by His mercy. When a way of life or personal decision goes public, however, and we are asked to support something that goes against our own personal conscience and biblical beliefs, we must stand by our own convictions first. We cannot personally endorse something that conflicts with our beliefs. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3.23
With regard to gay civil partnerships or weddings the Bible teaches clearly that marriage is between a man and a woman so, for homosexual people to make that commitment is contrary to God’s word and we could not support it. ‘‘And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:4&5
Since Jesus came, we are no longer under the Old Testament law as it is recorded in Leviticus, but we are under grace which is the undeserved favour of God that we receive through repentance. “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1. 17) This same grace instructs us how to live. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2. 11-14