Christian Mingle, an online Christian dating website have been sued for not allowing people to seek out same-sex relationships on the website. The Judge recently allowed an approved settlement which will allow gay men and women to register online.
According to State Law any business must offer "full and equal" accommodations and services to people regardless of their sexual orientation. As a result of the anti-discrimination lawsuit, Christian Mingle will open its 16 million member site to gay and lesbian users.
Spark Network who own Christian Mingle agreed to alter their features to allow gay singles a more tailored experience. Two gay men filed a class-action lawsuit against Christian dating website nearly three years ago for violating a California civil rights law requiring "all business establishments of every kind whatsoever" to offer full accommodations regardless of a person's sexual orientation (among more than a dozen other protected classes).
Christian Mingle is known as one of the largest dating sites owned by Spark Networks. They have already changed their homepage to ask users about their own gender and let them select their own search parameters. The new move has been met with criticism, infact one of the board members, Coates stepped down saying:
“As I am a Christian, husband, father of six … it hurts my Lord and it hurts my reputation … and the reputation of my church to stay.”
California pastor and national advisory board member Bryan Loritts told Christian Today that he had no idea Sparks Networks would be offering same-sex matches until it came out in the news.
Advocates for traditional marriage consider the lawsuit settlement an infringement on religious liberty, grouping the decision with broader societal and legal pressure on those opposed to gay marriage.
Patheos blogger David Smalley defended ChristianMingle against the interpretation of the California anti-discrimination law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, being applied in their suit.
“Since when can the government tell us what products or services we must offer to future customers?” he wrote. “Every atheist, every liberal, and every business owner needs to fight for ChristianMingle’s rights to offer the products or services they choose, even if we disagree with their practices or philosophy behind it all.”
Posted by Amanda Hopkins
www.christiantoday.com
