The Texas GOP declares that "America is a nation under God founded on Judeo-Christian principles" and that the party is pledged "toward dispelling the myth of separation of church and state."

We oppose any governmental action to restrict, prohibit, or remove public display of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) or other religious symbols."

The Texas GOP supports congressional passage of the so-called "Constitution Restoration Act," which would among other provisions bar the U.S. Supreme Court from hearing and ruling in cases regarding governmental entities or officials who acknowledge "God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government." The law would also permit the impeachment and removal of judges who listen to such cases.

The party would forbid judges from determining the constitutionality of laws and end Supreme Court jurisdiction in cases involving abortion, religious freedom and the Bill of Rights. It calls for the impeachment of judges who, through the subjective judgment of others, "abuse their authority."

Despite problems such as abuse of clients and financial mismanagement that have plagued some programs in the past, Texas Republicans call for less oversight and regulation of faith-based providers of social services.

The Texas GOP would undermine the teaching of evolution in science classes by promoting "intelligent design"/creationism and the so-called "weaknesses" of theories such as evolution. The platform does not acknowledge that evolution is the foundation of all the biological sciences and that scientists have repeatedly debunked arguments about so-called "weaknesses" of the theory.

Texas Republicans "oppose any sex education other than abstinence until heterosexual marriage." That position would prohibit teaching students age-appropriate, medically accurate information about birth control and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

The party platform opposes medical research involving embryonic stem cells even though scientists have identified such research as holding the most promise for treating and curing serious medical conditions such as cancer, spinal cord injuries, juvenile diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Moreover, the party would impose criminal penalties on medical professionals and scientists who engage in such research.

The platform declares that Texas Republicans "deplore all discrimination." Yet the platform also commits Republicans to widespread and systematic discrimination against anyone who is not heterosexual.

By supporting "sodomy" laws, the Texas GOP would have government imprison and/or fine adults who engage in even private, consensual sexual intimacy with someone of the same gender. Texas Republicans also call for removing from federal courts any jurisdiction over cases involving same-gender sexual relations.

The party opposes the right of gay and lesbian parents to adopt or even to have legal custody of their children. The party would also bar visitation rights for gay and lesbian parents unless ordered by a court and supervised under government authority.

Republicans oppose allowing gay men and lesbians to serve in the nation's armed forces.

The Texas GOP supports a federal constitutional amendment that bars a woman from choosing to end her pregnancy. It also supports extending constitutional protections to fetuses, the effect of which would be to criminalize abortion with no exceptions.

The platform calls for a strict candidate litmus test, instructing Republicans to support only candidates who oppose abortion.

Digg
del.icio.us
Newsvine
Reddit
stumbleupon
Facebook