A Christian wedding photographer and blogger from New York has won her religious freedom case, meaning she cannot be forced to take photos of a same-sex ceremony.The settlement, confirmed by the US District Court for the Western District of New York, stops state officials from trying to force Emilee Carpenter to compromise her Christian beliefs on marriage.
The terms of settlement also require the state to pay $225,000 in attorney’s fees.
Earlier this year, she successfully appealed a lower court decision that would have ‘threatened her ability to operate her business according to her faith’.
She says her business creates photographs and blogs to celebrate marriage between one man and one woman as a gift from God.
Carpenter states on her website, ‘I believe that marriage is a picture of the gospel and demonstrates the redemptive love of Jesus Christ, who willingly gave Himself up for us by going to the cross, paying the debt for our sins, and paving a way for us to be united with Him.’
