The unfair discrimination case instituted against Beloftebos wedding venue by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has intensified after another same-sex couple filed legal papers against Beloftebos, seeking R2 million in damages for the impairment of their dignity and pain and suffering.
In their application, Sasha-Lee Heekes and Megan Watling are asking the Court for permission to join the case against Beloftebos and to find that the venue unfairly discriminated against them when it indicated that it does not host same-sex weddings at the venue.
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Importantly, they are also asking the court for a broad order, declaring that “the expression of religious beliefs as a basis on which to refuse to associate with or conduct business with a same-sex couple, constitutes hate speech and/or discrimination” in terms of the Equality Act. If the court were to make such an order, it would clearly have broad implications – not only for Beloftebos, but for any business, organisation or even a private individual!
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In the meanwhile, Beloftebos is still waiting on the SAHRC, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the Minister of Justice, to deliver their response to Beloftebos’s papers which they received May 18. According to the SAHRC, the reason for their delay is the commission’s “need to meet with the minister’s legal team to strategise on our approach”.
Beloftebos’s attorneys have written to the SAHRC to express their “astonishment” at the SAHRC’s express admission in this regard – not only because the SAHRC and the minister are (supposed to be) independent parties to the dispute, but also because the SAHRC is an independent Chapter 9 institution mandated to protect all citizens against abuse, including abuse by other organs/persons of state.
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Unfair treatment of venue owners
However, it is clear from the SAHRC’s response that it is in fact “strategising” with the minister against the very citizens the commission is supposed to protect! This caucusing only serves as confirmation of the unfairness with which the SAHRC has been treating Beloftebos to date.
Beloftebos is currently preparing its response to the “new case” opened up against them, which is over 250 pages long. The negative impact – should the court decide against the venue and grant the massive damages claim against Beloftebos – has increased exponentially. Not only would they be forced to act against their conscience and religious beliefs (or effectively close their wedding business), but they would be penalised R2 million for acting on their sincerely-held convictions!
This would have a devastating financial impact not only on their business – but on them personally, their families, their staff and the many people in the local Stanford community who benefit from the business generated by the Beloftebos wedding venue. It would also set an equally devastating financial precedent for other business owners or service providers who – because of their religious convictions and beliefs – do not believe they should be compelled to take on certain work.
For this reason, your financial contribution to Beloftebos’ case is more critical than ever! While the legal team is working at reduced rates, the anticipated time (and therefore, costs) to be expended on this matter has – as a result of the “new case” – effectively doubled. Any contribution – big, or small – will make a difference!
To hear Beloftebos’s position from Andries and Coia de Villiers (the owners) as well as the details of how to make a financial contribution, watch, like and share this video – https://forsa.org.za/beloftebos-its-about-freedom/
Dis n direkte aanval teen Christene. Al is ek nie n Moslem nie, gaan ek mos nou nie vark in n Moslem se huis eet nie. Mens het tog respek vir mekaar. Hulle doen nou presies wat hulle dink aan hulle gedoen word….
Same-sex “marriage” is a recent novelty that should not be allowed to overturn the established convictions of most people in SA (take a poll and find out). It is contrary to the teachings of Jesus (Matt 19:4-6) and the Christian Scriptures. It is contrary to the teaching of the Koran. It is contrary to the African cultural tradition.
No-one is preventing these couples from “marrying” – there are other venues that will oblige. And Home Affairs won’t object either. If there is any “hate”, it is the obvious hate which these couples have towards Beloftesbos and anyone who disagrees with them.
All of us who follow Jesus Christ must expect persecution (2 Timothy 3:12. The reason is given in v13 “evil people will go from bad to worse”. It’s odd that we’ve lived so comfortably hitherto. If this persecution will come because of our Christian loving desire for gay people to repent and live straight lives in Jesus, so be it.
Nevertheless, we must strive to be salt and light in this rotten and dark world. So we support ‘Freedom of Religion SA’ in opposing this court case. And why not solicit the support of Muslims and African Traditionists who believe as we do on the matter of Same-Sex ‘Marriage’?
In addition, this couple is “seeking R2 million in damages for the impairment of their dignity and pain and suffering”.
1. The couple had many other options, other wedding venues, Home Affairs, to avoid this “impairment of their dignity and pain and suffering”.
2. This impairment, pain and suffering is now self-inflicted. They already knew that Beloftebos had declined a same-sex couple, yet they obstinately chose to have their dignity impaired, and to suffer the pain they now feel.
3. In whose eyes is their dignity impaired? There a many millions of South Africans who would consider their dignity to be already impaired by their choice to live together as a same-sex couple.
This is part of a deliberate bullying campaign driven by the LGBTIQ lobby to force everyone to conform to a moral standard they have chosen. As Christians, we will not compromise, but we will love every LGBTIQ person with the love Jesus had for sinners, and pray they too will join the “homosexual offenders” who were “washed, sanctified nd justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Christians should mobilise in their groups to appose this bios towards the Christian faith . It seems like The LGBTQ AGENDA is to use the court to force people to support their view. The are morally convicted and are looking for legal support to not feel this conviction. The don’t want to support freedom of religion instead the want freedom from religion.