Walkerton shop ended up at at center of RFRA controversy

The pizza shop on Walkerton's main drag became a target of liberal criticism Tuesday evening after the owners told WBND-TV (ABC57) that, though they would never deny service to a gay customer, they would decline to cater a same-sex wedding because such unions conflict with their Christian moral beliefs.

Memories Pizza's owners Crystal and Kevin O'Connor have never actually been asked to cater any type of wedding, and they didn't seek out the spotlight. They were offering their opinion on the hypothetical situation in response to a television reporter's question about the statewide debate over Indiana's recently passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The comments led people from across the nation and even in other countries to post critical messages, lewd photos and negative reviews about Memories Pizza on the shop's Facebook page and restaurant-rating websites such as Yelp. A Concord High School coach was suspended Wednesday for allegedly tweeting that the pizzeria should be burned.

The O'Connors have not reopened Memories Pizza since the furor erupted, but they have gained support from conservatives who think the shop owners have been bullied for their religious views and didn't realize what they were getting themselves into when they spoke on television about the religious-freedom legislation. Ironically, some of those same supporters have heaped scorn upon WBND-TV and threatened station employees for airing the story that started the drama.