I Have A Store

Hi. My name is Elliott.

 I have a store.

I sell Blue.

I sell Green.

I sell Red.

If you come to to my store and ask for Orange...

"Sorry, I don't sell Orange."

You have no right to try to force me to sell Orange.
You have no right to judge my motives for not selling Orange.
You have no right to call me names because I refuse to sell Orange.
If you want Orange go somewhere else.

Thank you and have a nice day.

See, the world and Christianity has been led astray and many heartaches and misunderstandings have resulted. Entirely too much name-calling and finger pointing on all sides. We need to straighten our perspective on the matter....

Here's the practical application. 


I am a mechanic.

Like any tradesman I have my skills, my specialties, my limits.
My limits are physical, mental, and moral.

If you bring me a vehicle that needs brakes, I'm your man.
Exhaust? Tire change? Oil and lube job? 

Sure thing.

If you bring me a car and ask me to turn it into a street racer, though, I'll turn you down.
Because I have reached the limit of my capabilities. I might be able to pull it off, but I also have a moral dilemma. I don't do unsafe modifications to vehicles.

BUT!  That is irrelevant to the customer. He cannot browbeat or threaten or coax me. It should - and does - suffice to reply that I do not provide that service.

I owe the customer no other explanation than "Sorry, man, I don't do that."

*****************************************************************

I am also a photographer.

I do nature, macros; old barns are my specialty.

I do graduations, airshows, swap meets.

I compile videos from time lapse photography of sunsets or projects.

I also do some traditional weddings.

I have limitations, however.

I can't do sports events, indoor portraits, or some traditional or homosexual weddings and events.

Why?

You haven't learned, have you?!

IT DOES NOT MATTER.

I may have limitations on equipment, lack of skills, or moral and spiritual limits.

I offer a certain set of products, and if I offer more that is entirely up to me.
Each product I offer as a photographer has its own set of skills; its own special knack; its practiced eye. I will not offer to do something that I cannot do well. A photographer must enter into the mood of something to draw out its beauty and tell its story.

There is someone else who offers whatever product you are looking for. For you to single me out because I do not offer the product you want and try to make a public example of me is the worst kind of cowardly bullying.

In conclusion:
I run a business in a professional way. I do not try to push my personal agendas or beliefs on my peers or customers, although I will certainly share them to any and all who have an interest. I do not refuse business of any kind to any person based on WHO they are, but rather WHAT I am asked to do. 

Likewise, we should all be customers who follow the normal rules of trade: go to the best place to get your products, if they do not carry them go elsewhere. If they do not posesss the skill set you are looking for just find someone who does.

* Simple. *