We applaud the decision of the Supreme Court that affirmed the importance of the constitutional right of not only freedom of speech, but also freedom of expression and religious freedom upon which our nation was founded.
In the 7-2 majority decision, justices appointed by both President Obama and President Clinton sided with conservative justices in what must be viewed as clear indication that this issue is not a Right v. Left issue but a Right v. Wrong. While this decision still has left some important issues on the table and undecided, one thing is clear: freedom of conscience still matters.
As Republicans, we support the fact that mandated participation in activities that violate sincerely held religious or personal beliefs also violate the constitutionally protected freedoms of us all. Furthermore, forced participation in such activity can be constituted as indentured servitude mandated and sanctioned by state law. There is no question that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has not been violated.
The ruling reaffirms the rights of all Americans in their pursuit of happiness and individual freedoms, and that those freedoms cannot, and should not, trump the rights of another.
Statement written by Jonathan Gaspard, Policy Director
Contact: Brian Bodine, State Chairman – (214) 642-2114