Christian Florist Refuses Settlement that Would Save Home and Business

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Feb 24, 2015

Christian Florist Refuses Settlement that Would Save Home and Business

A Christian florist who was charged with discrimination for refusing to make floral arrangements for a gay wedding has rejected a settlement that would save her home and business. 

Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Washington, was offered a deal of a $2,000 fine and a $1 payment for fees if she agreed to serve same-sex couples in the future. State attorney general Bob Ferguson offered the settlement, but Stutzman refused, saying that serving same-sex couples would betray her religious beliefs. 

Christian Today reports Stutzman wrote a letter to the attorney general explaining why she could not accept the deal. 

"You are asking me to walk in the way of a well-known betrayer, one who sold something of infinite worth for 30 pieces of silver. That is something I will not do,” she wrote. 

"I certainly don't relish the idea of losing my business, my homes and everything else that your lawsuit threatens to take from my family, but my freedom to honor God in doing what I do best is more important."

She continued, "It's about freedom, not money. You chose to attack my faith and pursue this not simply as a matter of law, but to threaten my very means of working, eating and having a home."

Legal group Alliance Defending Freedom says Stutzman’s fines and damages could cost up to seven figures. 

Publication date: February 24, 2015



Christian Florist Refuses Settlement that Would Save Home and Business