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The Cost of My Faith: How a Decision in My Cake Shop Took Me to the Supreme Court
Master cake artist and a man of profound faith, Jack Phillips found himself in the middle of one of the highest-profile religious freedom cases of the century. In July 2012, two men came to Jack Phillips's shop requesting a custom wedding cake celebrating their same-sex marriage. In a brief exchange, Jack politely declined the request, explaining that he could not design cakes for same-sex weddings but offered to design cakes for other occasions and to sell them anything else in his shop. Little did Jack know that his quiet stand for his Christian convictions about marriage would become a battle for the right of all Americans to live out their faith. Now, Jack Phillips shares his harrowing experience for the first time in this powerful new memoir. The Cost of My Faith is Jack’s firsthand account from the frontlines of the battle with a culture that is making every effort to remove God from the public square and a government denying Bible-believing Christians the right to freely exercise their religious beliefs. Despite a Supreme Court victory in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the fight to protect the right of Americans to freely exercise their beliefs is more critical than ever. The Cost of My Faith provides new insight into the case that shook the country and offers readers courage and inspiration to stand and live out their faith when facing their own battles.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
23 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 9, 2021
not him trying to capitalize on being a homophobic loser lol
April 12, 2021
This book has not yet been released, yet there are tenn1-star ratings out of 12 total ratings, from vicious people who hate Christianity and will stop at nothing to destroy someone’s life simply because he sincerely holds beliefs that they disagree with. My 5 star rating is here to buffer those 1 star ratings.
August 1, 2021
Phillips attempts to defend his faith, which requires/allows him to discriminate against a group of people.
May 18, 2021
To be honest about my rating, I have not read Mr. Phillips' book yet. I will be buying it and reading it, and will give an honest review of the book.
I have bought cakes and cookies from Jack Phillips long before any of the controversy and contention was brought upon him. He is an honest, good man. I'm saddened by how many people have rated this book without reading. It shows a lack of integrity on each of their parts. If you give a 1-star rating to a book, especially before it is even available to buy, you owe it to the author and other readers to explain why. I put no credence on ratings that cannot be backed with reason. I like to read true opinions about books, but not personal attacks on the author.
I have bought cakes and cookies from Jack Phillips long before any of the controversy and contention was brought upon him. He is an honest, good man. I'm saddened by how many people have rated this book without reading. It shows a lack of integrity on each of their parts. If you give a 1-star rating to a book, especially before it is even available to buy, you owe it to the author and other readers to explain why. I put no credence on ratings that cannot be backed with reason. I like to read true opinions about books, but not personal attacks on the author.
August 7, 2021
I won’t be reading this book at all. But don’t take it personally, if the KKK put out a “really good” book, I wouldn’t be reading that either.
August 10, 2021
Finished this book in two long reads; it is that good. Phillips wrote it to answer the question so many asked him: "Why don't you just bake the cake?" After you read his answer you will see that his refusal was as much for you and me as anyone. In a sense it was even for his adversaries. It was a fight for the right not to be intimidated into doing things which violate one's own most cherished beliefs.
The book is excellent! It is a little slow in the beginning, but after you read for awhile, you see how the Colorado 'so-called' Civil Rights Commission is persecuting this man; they used the original litigants to push the commission's agenda and they have been behind the subsequent two cases. The third case, Masterpiece III* (the name of his cake shop) against Philips, the conclusion of which is not covered in the book, was also brought despite his victory in Masterpiece I at the United States Supreme Court level. But that does not matter to the Colorado Commission, as these cases were never about about baking cakes or even discrimination. They are about about government abuse/persecution, limiting personal freedom of speech and expression, restricting the ability of businesses to operate without harassment in this country and one man's willingness to fight all that for the rest of us.
As my husband is also an artist, Jack Phillips, his decision and the ensuing repercussions have interested me for many years now. Fortunately, we do not have to live off the revenue of my husband's art sales. Jack Phillips is not so fortunate, so he had to make a choice: surrender his most cherished beliefs or fight for them. He chose to fight. He also could have backed down at any time along the way. Thanks be to God he has not, but has persisted through all of this.
He is not alone however. He has his loving family and a huge group of fans and a faithful base of customers who have not abandoned him. He also has an excellent team of attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom, and he is joined in this fight by a group of other small business people from around the country whose livelihoods have been similarly threatened (although probably not so systematically). It is ironic that while our country's reputation is being dragged through the mud all over the world accused of 'systematic racism', flying just under the radar, we actually have cases of genuine systematic prejudicial abuse going on by factions within our very own government which are ignored everyday. These are directed against our own citizenry, the backbone of our country, the very ones who work hard, pay taxes, and try to do what is right. And they are ignored for the most part by the loudest voices of our liberal media.
Most people do not see Jack Phillip's cake decorating business or his fight as that important. Neither are the businesses of the woman in Washington with the flower shop, or the man in Kentucky, the individual who makes t-shirts, etc. But freedoms of expression and religion are at the core of our basic rights as Americans. Take those away from us and we become like the frightened and un-free people in any other country in the history of the world, in the countries which so many are fleeing to come to America.
If we can legally force Jack Phillips (or any other artist/craftsman) to make a wedding cake (or any other item) which goes against his beliefs today, what will we force him to make/do tomorrow?
This is one of the most important books - and fights - happening today.
Yes, you may eat cake, but not under any terms. You must abide by the reasonable terms of the seller and you must respect his/her rights to refuse to sell you something which being for *your* self-expression, goes against the values of the seller.
* which he just lost in June of 2021, which will be appealed,
The book is excellent! It is a little slow in the beginning, but after you read for awhile, you see how the Colorado 'so-called' Civil Rights Commission is persecuting this man; they used the original litigants to push the commission's agenda and they have been behind the subsequent two cases. The third case, Masterpiece III* (the name of his cake shop) against Philips, the conclusion of which is not covered in the book, was also brought despite his victory in Masterpiece I at the United States Supreme Court level. But that does not matter to the Colorado Commission, as these cases were never about about baking cakes or even discrimination. They are about about government abuse/persecution, limiting personal freedom of speech and expression, restricting the ability of businesses to operate without harassment in this country and one man's willingness to fight all that for the rest of us.
As my husband is also an artist, Jack Phillips, his decision and the ensuing repercussions have interested me for many years now. Fortunately, we do not have to live off the revenue of my husband's art sales. Jack Phillips is not so fortunate, so he had to make a choice: surrender his most cherished beliefs or fight for them. He chose to fight. He also could have backed down at any time along the way. Thanks be to God he has not, but has persisted through all of this.
He is not alone however. He has his loving family and a huge group of fans and a faithful base of customers who have not abandoned him. He also has an excellent team of attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom, and he is joined in this fight by a group of other small business people from around the country whose livelihoods have been similarly threatened (although probably not so systematically). It is ironic that while our country's reputation is being dragged through the mud all over the world accused of 'systematic racism', flying just under the radar, we actually have cases of genuine systematic prejudicial abuse going on by factions within our very own government which are ignored everyday. These are directed against our own citizenry, the backbone of our country, the very ones who work hard, pay taxes, and try to do what is right. And they are ignored for the most part by the loudest voices of our liberal media.
Most people do not see Jack Phillip's cake decorating business or his fight as that important. Neither are the businesses of the woman in Washington with the flower shop, or the man in Kentucky, the individual who makes t-shirts, etc. But freedoms of expression and religion are at the core of our basic rights as Americans. Take those away from us and we become like the frightened and un-free people in any other country in the history of the world, in the countries which so many are fleeing to come to America.
If we can legally force Jack Phillips (or any other artist/craftsman) to make a wedding cake (or any other item) which goes against his beliefs today, what will we force him to make/do tomorrow?
This is one of the most important books - and fights - happening today.
Yes, you may eat cake, but not under any terms. You must abide by the reasonable terms of the seller and you must respect his/her rights to refuse to sell you something which being for *your* self-expression, goes against the values of the seller.
* which he just lost in June of 2021, which will be appealed,
January 6, 2022
A very good book about having one's faith tried by an ordeal.
August 10, 2021
Sigh...
January 10, 2022
I find it offensive that some people have ruled this book as hateful. There is nothing hateful in it and I doubt those that commented that way even read the book.
Personally I found the book both interesting and boring. Boring because he goes more into detail about his personal family life than I felt necessary; but both convicting and interesting.
I personally have been fired over refusing to compromise my values. I was asked to falsify some legal records for a business. I understood some of his pressure. Yet would never have had the courage to keep going as he has. In my case so many lies were told about me to destroy me it caused a breakdown that destroyed my life. I was left unable to work. I know from personal experience that hate can ruin a career and a life.
This author never once speaks negatively about same sex couples; he simply did not want to decorate a cake. When are the rights of business owners and citizens considered? And if we talk hate- what about the couple that needlessly drug this man through a suit for their benefit? It was simple. They could have just given their business to someone else. Personally- I am sick of "politically correct" when it means taking other peoples rights away. He was not hateful, rude or dismissive. Just did not want to make a cake.
Personally I found the book both interesting and boring. Boring because he goes more into detail about his personal family life than I felt necessary; but both convicting and interesting.
I personally have been fired over refusing to compromise my values. I was asked to falsify some legal records for a business. I understood some of his pressure. Yet would never have had the courage to keep going as he has. In my case so many lies were told about me to destroy me it caused a breakdown that destroyed my life. I was left unable to work. I know from personal experience that hate can ruin a career and a life.
This author never once speaks negatively about same sex couples; he simply did not want to decorate a cake. When are the rights of business owners and citizens considered? And if we talk hate- what about the couple that needlessly drug this man through a suit for their benefit? It was simple. They could have just given their business to someone else. Personally- I am sick of "politically correct" when it means taking other peoples rights away. He was not hateful, rude or dismissive. Just did not want to make a cake.
June 6, 2021
A short book, but not a small one. Rather than focus on the court cases (although those are on obviously covered), Phillips focuses on how he became a Christian and what that means to him in every facet of his life -- including his decision not to custom-design a cake celebrating a gay marriage.
May 28, 2021
I read this book in two sittings. It is very good, well put together, and truthful!!!!
June 25, 2021
Important read.
It was edifying to me, and glorifying to God to see what a loving, steadfast, personal yet sovereign God we serve. Thank you Jack for not leaving out your thoughts and convictions. It showed us what you went through and how God was always present. Thank you ADF for your expertise and mission to help Christians fight these battles. Very faith building.
It was edifying to me, and glorifying to God to see what a loving, steadfast, personal yet sovereign God we serve. Thank you Jack for not leaving out your thoughts and convictions. It showed us what you went through and how God was always present. Thank you ADF for your expertise and mission to help Christians fight these battles. Very faith building.
July 3, 2021
Jack Phillips tells about his life and story in this captivating autobiography, which highlights how he got his start, how he built his cake shop from the ground up, and how his livelihood has been under attack for nearly a decade. I found this a compelling book and have been thinking about the implications of his case quite often since reading it--both from the Christian standpoint and from the legal standpoint. Whether you agree or disagree with his actions, I think everyone has something to learn from his story--if only to be induced to think critically about how we should love one another as Christians, and what exactly that means.
June 27, 2021
Invaluable!
The pacing is perfect, and the detailed descriptions of the exteriors and interiors of the government buildings really paint a vivid picture for the reader. Most importantly, God is glorified!
The pacing is perfect, and the detailed descriptions of the exteriors and interiors of the government buildings really paint a vivid picture for the reader. Most importantly, God is glorified!
September 11, 2021
I admire the faith of Jack Phillips. It’s such a disgrace what he was put through all because he is a Christian that stood against what he doesn’t believe in. He stood instead for what he does believe in & that is Jesus Christ! God Bless him & his family!
July 4, 2022
A must-read book that shows the intricacies of this case and busts all the misrepresentations the media has perpetuated about it through the years. This is an important work that all Christians should read, so they understand their rights and protections under the Constitution.
May 29, 2021
An excellent account of justice sought & justice delivered.
July 22, 2021
Excellent book. Very well written and actually quite engaging.
September 2, 2021
Loved this one!
August 4, 2021
Modern Day Martyr
Jack Phillips hasn't had to give his life for his faith, but he has certainly suffered for it. Hearing the cake artist describe his persecution from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC), I have been reminded that there are unseen forces that war against what Jack and I believe.
Phillips has not refused to sell anything to anyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Nor does he hold any ill will toward gays or lesbians. The complaint, as Phillips states it, is that he shouldn't be forced to express, through his art, a message with which he disagrees.
Likewise, a filmmaker shouldn't be forced to make a film about something he finds disagreeable. Artists should be free to express their beliefs and they should be able to refuse to express messages they disavow.
I wonder if the Commission had treated him differently without such apparent bias against his sincere religious beliefs if the case would have been decided the same way. Nevertheless, he has prevailed in the U. S. Supreme Court, but has faced continuing legal challenges from Autumn Scardina as well as the CCRC.
Religious people often hold sincere views that are wrong. Or they may be right. But the way I interpret the First Amendment is that they are allowed to live according to those views as long as they don't infringe anyone else's rights. Phillips wasn't trying to prevent the wedding he was asked to create a cake for, he just didn't want to participate in its celebration. Shouldn't he have that freedom?
Jack Phillips hasn't had to give his life for his faith, but he has certainly suffered for it. Hearing the cake artist describe his persecution from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC), I have been reminded that there are unseen forces that war against what Jack and I believe.
Phillips has not refused to sell anything to anyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Nor does he hold any ill will toward gays or lesbians. The complaint, as Phillips states it, is that he shouldn't be forced to express, through his art, a message with which he disagrees.
Likewise, a filmmaker shouldn't be forced to make a film about something he finds disagreeable. Artists should be free to express their beliefs and they should be able to refuse to express messages they disavow.
I wonder if the Commission had treated him differently without such apparent bias against his sincere religious beliefs if the case would have been decided the same way. Nevertheless, he has prevailed in the U. S. Supreme Court, but has faced continuing legal challenges from Autumn Scardina as well as the CCRC.
Religious people often hold sincere views that are wrong. Or they may be right. But the way I interpret the First Amendment is that they are allowed to live according to those views as long as they don't infringe anyone else's rights. Phillips wasn't trying to prevent the wedding he was asked to create a cake for, he just didn't want to participate in its celebration. Shouldn't he have that freedom?
October 22, 2021
Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission was a very divisive and important case. I believe reading this book would be valuable for people on both sides of the issue, because, if nothing else, it humbly presents Jack Phillips' side of the story in full. Not only that, but it is very interesting to read, engaging and generally well-written. For people of faith, it's inspiring. I was not sure how I would feel about this book, but you can see by my 5-star review that I was very pleased. I will be recommending it to others.
October 9, 2023
Inspiring and encouraging read. Jack is a courageous man, so loving, logical and faithful. It was fun to hear about a cake shop and America's legal system. Author did count the cost and truly treasured Jesus above peace and safety. And he still continues to stand up for what is right.
November 7, 2021
If you are one who wonders, why didn't Jack just create this one of a kind cake for this special occasion and move on? His makes his case well as he explains in detail, giving example after example of why he chose not to. No matter what side of the topic of marriage you find yourself on he makes a compelling case as to why its so important to realize that government cannot force someone to create works of artistic expression that go against one conscience.
Jack takes us through his beginnings as a high school graduate working in a local bakery where he eventually found the opportunity to start utilizing his artistic skills that he learned in school. He meets the woman of his dreams, then they both meet God. He eventually opens his own cake shop in 1993 where he still creates custom designed cakes and other baked goods to this day.
The book does a great job of showing how, even after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018, Jack continued to be attacked by the State of Colorado. The ruling for Masterpeice I certified Jack's First Amendment rights of expression, yet those same Colorado Civil Rights Commission officials who had treated jack unequally under the law continued to bring new charges against him, apparently having not learned their lesson the first time. A 2nd lawsuit was dismissed but soon afterwards a 3rd one was introduced which is still pending.
Jack points out, at the end of the book, that even though he would have never wished 9 years of trials on his worst enemy, this situation brought him out of the shadows and allowed him to share his faith with so many people and grow closer to God in the process.
Overall, this book does a great job of telling Jack's point of view and shows how one man can really make a difference. Over 80 court cases now have cited Jack's original case in their rulings.
Jack takes us through his beginnings as a high school graduate working in a local bakery where he eventually found the opportunity to start utilizing his artistic skills that he learned in school. He meets the woman of his dreams, then they both meet God. He eventually opens his own cake shop in 1993 where he still creates custom designed cakes and other baked goods to this day.
The book does a great job of showing how, even after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018, Jack continued to be attacked by the State of Colorado. The ruling for Masterpeice I certified Jack's First Amendment rights of expression, yet those same Colorado Civil Rights Commission officials who had treated jack unequally under the law continued to bring new charges against him, apparently having not learned their lesson the first time. A 2nd lawsuit was dismissed but soon afterwards a 3rd one was introduced which is still pending.
Jack points out, at the end of the book, that even though he would have never wished 9 years of trials on his worst enemy, this situation brought him out of the shadows and allowed him to share his faith with so many people and grow closer to God in the process.
Overall, this book does a great job of telling Jack's point of view and shows how one man can really make a difference. Over 80 court cases now have cited Jack's original case in their rulings.
June 12, 2021
A powerful story humbly told. Here is a critically important message for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. Written in a clear and compelling style, this story conveys both the sense of the person Jack Phillips is—meek in spirit, bold in faith, gentle on all counts—and the dire sense of what was at stake in the battles fought. This is an account fresh out the hot legal oven, crisp in its verities and warm with the earnestness of someone besought with a glad and dutiful burden (immense burden, light yoke). It is a rousing account of faith, replete with both its cost and exceeding reward.
July 16, 2021
A timely story in light of what is going on in our country today. Nice to know we still have heroes and people of conviction like Jack, including all those who supported him during these trials he went through; and, apparently are still going through?…Don’t forget to read the appendix at the end of the book too….it’s a good summation of what’s happening across our great land!
August 8, 2021
Psalm 27:1-6 comes to my mind having just read Jack's book. A song that comes to my mind is the one who says, "The God of angel armies is always by my side."
August 25, 2022
homophobic AND poorly written? what a steal!
June 1, 2023
This book presents a serious problem in society that isn't going to go away: freedom of speech and freedom of religion are under attack in the United States of America.
A business owner happily and willingly sells his products to anyone who wants them. However, he has the Constitutional right of free speech which allows him not to have to "say" something in his creativity that he does not want to say; he also has the freedom of religion to have his own personal religious views and not be discriminated by someone (including the United States government) for those views. But there are those who want to silence people like him. Even when the highest court in the land - The Supreme Court of the United States - states that no one can force someone to "say" something that they don't want to say, those who will not tolerate a view they do not like refuse to follow SCOTUS and continue to violate the author's (and others') Constitutional rights.
Would be a truly frightening read except that it does point to God and that He is in control.
Note: I did read the book in its entirety before writing this review.
A business owner happily and willingly sells his products to anyone who wants them. However, he has the Constitutional right of free speech which allows him not to have to "say" something in his creativity that he does not want to say; he also has the freedom of religion to have his own personal religious views and not be discriminated by someone (including the United States government) for those views. But there are those who want to silence people like him. Even when the highest court in the land - The Supreme Court of the United States - states that no one can force someone to "say" something that they don't want to say, those who will not tolerate a view they do not like refuse to follow SCOTUS and continue to violate the author's (and others') Constitutional rights.
Would be a truly frightening read except that it does point to God and that He is in control.
Note: I did read the book in its entirety before writing this review.
November 12, 2024
Thank goodness for people like Jack Phillips and for the Alliance Defending Freedom group. What a hard and long drawn affair with the radicals of the state of Colorado. The Appendix by the two lawyers from the Alliance is a very good summary of what was at stake and why it was so important to tell his story. Jack's case truly was bigger than the courts. It was great to read his side of the story since you can't get that from the mainstream media. It was indeed a small but very vocal and culturally powerful group of radical activists including the media, the ACLU and its allies besides the state government people that were unafraid to lash out with rhetoric and take justice into their own hands. God help us! Some people have nothing better to do than to keep harassing individuals like Jack to force their radical ideology on all of us. As his lawyers reiterate, Jack did everything right and still was attacked. That is the warning to all of us in that if we hold beliefs that run counter to the current and ongoing progressive narrative about gender, sexuality, marriage and human dignity we too will find ourselves in court someday. What a sobering thought.
March 12, 2022
Almost everyone in the nation knows about the Masterpiece Cakeshop Supreme Court case, this book is written by the author who denied to create a wedding cake for the same-sex couple.
Jack details his upbringing, his journey with religion, and the endless legal troubles he experiences. It’s definitely a complicated dilemma, and if you want to learn more about his side of the story and his viewpoints it might be worth a read.
I was hoping for something more law-based but this was more of a biography with a heavy focus on religion. It was interesting and I learned a few new things about the court case but I wouldn’t read it again. I’d say the target audience is more so people of deep religious faith than those with a legal interest, like me.
Jack details his upbringing, his journey with religion, and the endless legal troubles he experiences. It’s definitely a complicated dilemma, and if you want to learn more about his side of the story and his viewpoints it might be worth a read.
I was hoping for something more law-based but this was more of a biography with a heavy focus on religion. It was interesting and I learned a few new things about the court case but I wouldn’t read it again. I’d say the target audience is more so people of deep religious faith than those with a legal interest, like me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews