“Last month, Maria Goldstein, a Roman Catholic, asked employees at an Office Depot location in Schaumburg, Ill., to make 500 copies of ‘A Prayer for Planned Parenthood.’ . . . Company spokeswoman Karen Denning told the Chicago Tribune that Office Depot prohibits the copying of material that advocates ‘the persecution of certain groups of people,’ among other criteria. She says the flier ‘contained material that advocates the persecution of people who support abortion rights.’ But Goldstein says the handout (PDF) was part of a weeklong prayer and fasting campaign that aims to change opinions on abortion.”

The company has issued a formal apology.

Office Depot chairman and CEO Roland Smith said, “We sincerely apologize to Ms. Goldstein for her experience and our initial reaction was not at all related to her religious beliefs. We invite her to return to Office Depot if she still wishes to print the flier.”

It doesn’t matter what reason Office Depot gave for not printing the flier. It’s their business, and they should be able to accept or reject whatever business they want for any reason they want, especially when it comes to a dispute over content, even when the content is misconstrued.

Of course, refusing to print the flier was bad for business once the story got out.

Goldstein was able to get the flier printed elsewhere. No lawyers. No government. No judges. No fines. It’s called liberty. It’s too bad the Thomas More Society threatened legal action.

Let’s apply this same standard to what has happened to people who oppose same-sex marriage. A homosexual group had filed a discrimination complaint against Hands On Originals after the company refused to honor a bid to produce apparel for a ‘Gay Pride’ event.

The website of Hands On Originals states the company’s Terms and Conditions:

“Hands On Originals both employs and conducts business with people of all genders, races, religions, sexual preferences, and national origins. However, due to the promotional nature of our products, it is the prerogative of Hands On Originals to refuse any order that would endorse positions that conflict with the convictions of the ownership.”

The company does not discriminate against people, but it has a stated policy not to produce material that promotes a worldview that is contrary to its values. Every business should have the same right.

You can check out the case here.

Let’s say a member of the Ku Klux Klan comes in to purchase apparel. The folks at Hands on Originals would sell the KKK member the items, most likely not even aware of the person’s affiliation with the racist organization.

But if the KKK as an organization came in asking Hands on Originals to produce T-shirts for a KKK rally, the company would refuse as would most other companies. Who could argue with such a position?

Homosexuals have received special rights. What is right for countless businesses to do, homosexuals and their special rights enablers like Human Rights Commissions have used the strong arm of law to force people to act against their property rights and their personal rights. We’ve seen it with bakers, florists, and photographers.

What no other company would be forced to do, homosexuals have been able to force on hard-working principled people who are trying to make a living on their own terms with malice toward none.

By the way, “Fayette Circuit Judge James Ishmael issued a ruling . . . reversing the Lexington Human Rights Commission’s 2014 decision that Hands On Originals violated Lexington’s fairness ordinance.”

Don’t think this will stop the homosexual tyrants and their faux civil rights commissions. At last report, “Ray Sexton, executive director of the Lexington Human Rights Commission, said an appeal was likely.”