Posted on 06/26/2015 1:35:40 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage ruling:
“The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
“The Texas Constitution guarantees that ‘[n]o human authority ought, in any case whatsoever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion.’ The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion; and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, combined with the newly enacted Pastor Protection Act, provide robust legal protections to Texans whose faith commands them to adhere to the traditional understanding of marriage.
“As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans—including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. Later today, I will be issuing a directive to state agencies instructing them to prioritize the protection of Texans’ religious liberties.”
If Texas secedes my sister, who lives there, has promised to sponsor my immigration.
At least someone has the guts to stand up for something. He is trying his best to protect the great state of Texas, and I applaud him and will do whatever my insignificant self can do to help.
There were 4 marriage licenses issued in Midland, Texas today....and none in Ector County. Ector County is waiting for clarification from the state attorney general.Here is his statement issued today....
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s flawed ruling on states’ constitutional right to define marriage, stating the next fight is religious liberty:
“Today’s ruling by five Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court marks a radical departure from countless generations of societal law and tradition. The impact of this opinion on our society and the familial fabric of our nation will be profound. Far from a victory for anyone, this is instead a dilution of marriage as a societal institution.
“What is most disturbing is the extent to which this opinion is yet another assault on the actual text of the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law itself. Just as Roe v. Wade ripped from the hands of the American people the issue of life and placed it in the judge-made ‘penumbras’ of the Constitution, so has this opinion made clear that our governing document – the protector of our liberties through representative government – can be molded to mean anything by unelected judges.
“But no court, no law, no rule, and no words will change the simple truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Nothing will change the importance of a mother and a father to the raising of a child. And nothing will change our collective resolve that all Americans should be able to exercise their faith in their daily lives without infringement and harassment.
“We start by recognizing the primacy and importance of our first freedom – religious liberty. The truth is that the debate over the issue of marriage has increasingly devolved into personal and economic aggression against people of faith who have sought to live their lives consistent with their sincerely-held religious beliefs about marriage. In numerous incidents trumpeted and celebrated by a sympathetic media, progressives advocating the anti-traditional marriage agenda have used this issue to publicly mock, deride, and intimidate devout individuals for daring to believe differently than they do. This ruling will likely only embolden those who seek to punish people who take personal, moral stands based upon their conscience and the teachings of their religion.
“It is not acceptable that people of faith be exposed to such abuse. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects our religious liberty and shields people of faith from such persecution, but those aspects of its protections have been denigrated by radicals, echoed by the media and an increasingly-activist judiciary. Consistent with existing federal and state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts that should already protect religious liberty and prevent discrimination based on religion, we must work to ensure that the guarantees of the First Amendment, protecting freedom of religion, and its corollary freedom of conscience, are secure for all Americans.
“Our guiding principle should be to protect people who want to live, work and raise their families in accordance with their religious faith. We should ensure that people and businesses are not discriminated against by state and local governments based on a person’s religious beliefs, including discrimination against people of faith in the distribution of grants, licenses, certification or accreditation; we should prevent harassing lawsuits against people of faith, their businesses and religious organizations; we should protect non-profits and churches from state and local taxes if the federal government penalizes them by removing their 501(c)(3) status; and we should protect religious adoption and foster care organizations and the children and families they serve. Shortly, my office will be addressing questions about the religious liberties of clerks of court and justices of the peace.
“Displays of hate and intolerance against people of faith should be denounced by all people of good will and spark concern among anyone who believes in religious liberty and freedom for all.
“Despite this decision, I still have faith in America and the American people. We must be vigilant about our freedom and must use the democratic process to make sure America lives up to its promise as a land of freedom, religious tolerance and hope.”
Bump!
Amen
God Bless Our Gov. Abbott
Thank you, LUV..God be with us.
And that’s what needs to happen.
This is excellent, and the resistance needs a focal point to rally around. But it’s going to take more than Texas’ lone voice to shout down this abomination.
Are there other states — even one or two — with the courage of Texas, that will stand with her athwart this evil? Can a few drops become the flood that washes our land free of this tyranny?
Two fags ooze into a bed and breakfast.
“I’d like a room for me and my husband,” one says.
The owner, a Christian, responds “You do not have a husband. You can’t. I will not rent a single room to two unmarried men, and you are not married.”
The first fag looks at his partner and defiantly replies, “Oh yeah? The Supreme Court says we are!”
To which the owner replies “And God says you are NOT.”
Please. Can we be semantically correct? It’s Preside Cutie.’
_________________________________________________
LOL. Very good.’
We really should refer to people by their proper titles, don’t you think?
By the way, as a Texan, were you aware of this fun fact? Texas has a GDP of roughly $1.602 Trillion. That’s larger than that of Australia, and just slightly less than that of Canada.
Build the America You want to Live in at Your Address and Keep Looking up.
Lead by Example and others will follow.
Amen! He will be firm about this. He’s our former Attorney General and he knows how to get things done and done right.
Then we shouls secede. JK...sort of....
All of what Mr. Paxton said is fine rhetoric, but where is the action, either on his part or that of Governor Abbott, who has the ability to call the Legislature into session? Words are cheap. The Legislature, if called into session, must abolish marriage licenses in Texas, and state that licenses from the other 49 states or the territories will not be recognized. Take away the prize, and the homosexuals and their supporters will have nothing.
High praise for Gov. Greg Abbott.
When he was elected, I was a little bit leery of him, but he hasn’t slipped once in
his tenure so far. He truly loves Texas and America, and I do think he’s a fine man.
Hostage wrote:
“If Texas can follow Alabama and exit the business of issuing marriage licenses, then homosexuals have nothing in Texas to attack with respect to marriage, and this in turn would render the SCOTUS ruling a hollow victory.”
Texas still has common-law marriage.
No need for a license.
A man and a woman can get married in church, say to friends and family and colleagues that they are married, and live together (I think there is a time period involved) and they are considered married.
And legal documents (e.g. trusts) can be drawn up and mention that status.
Yes, dear FReeper friend. I’m aware of that.
Texas is so much more than people think.
(See my bio page for some astonishing facts)
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