Same-sex marriage decision forces Christian bakers' bankruptcy

GRESHAM, Ore. (Christian Examiner) -- The Christian couple who declined to sell a wedding cake to a lesbian couple in 2013 were found guilty of unlawful discrimination by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries January 29.

Aaron and Melissa Klein reportedly rejected the baking request in January 2013, saying same-sex marriage conflicted with their their religious beliefs. Now the Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery owners will have to pay the two women up to $75,000 per person who filed the complaint.

The hefty fines could bankrupt the family of seven, and the Kleins say their story is proof of the growing  threat to religious freedom In America.

In addition to telling Fox News the complaint filed against them was wrong, Aaron Klein, went on to say, "They're trying to push us into the closet for being Christians."

The Kleins posted on their Sweet Cakes by Melissa Facebook page Tuesday, February 3:

"Even though it seems as if we are being thrown into the lions den. We will continue to stand for the Lord, our faith will not waiver. We fully trust in our heavenly father. He is able to deliver us from this, but even if He doesn't we are not going to compromise on God's truth in order to appease man."

According to USA Today, the long legal battle was overseen by an administrative law judge who ruled last week that the incident violated the homosexual rights of Portland residents Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman as set by the Oregon Equality Act of 2007.

The exact amount of the fine will be determined at a hearing on March 10 and is ultimately decided by Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

Sweet Cakes closed its bakery in Dec. 2013, after protests from homosexual rights activists threatened them personally and discouraged other wedding vendors from partnering with the bakery to avoid boycotts,  The Inquisitor reported.