Texas Senator Ted Cruz said on Friday
that while he doesn't endorse discrimination, Christians should not
be forced to serve gays and lesbians.
Appearing at a Houston Baptist
University forum on faith, Cruz was asked whether Christian
photographers and bakers opposed to marriage equality should be
compelled to serve gays.
“Everyone has to reconcile their own
faith with how they interact with others, and that's a choice you've
got to make based on your understanding of biblical teachings and
based on the best understanding you can come to it,” answered
Cruz, a Republican.
“I'm very much a believer that the
scripture teaches that you hate the sin and love the sinner, and so,
you know, from my perspective I am perfectly willing to interact with
anybody,” he said. “Look, I work in the U.S. Congress. But at
the same time, I don’t think the law should be forcing Americans to
violate their religious faith.” (The video is embedded on this
page. Visit
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As
recently as March, Cruz, who is frequently mentioned as a
possible 2016 presidential candidate, reiterated his opposition to
allowing gay couples to marry.