Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas - Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Courts 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 county their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Courts previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
Despite the Supreme Courts rulings Texans fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Courts decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
The Texas Constitution guarantees that no 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 Texansincluding 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."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas - Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Courts 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 county their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Courts previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
Despite the Supreme Courts rulings Texans fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Courts decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
The Texas Constitution guarantees that no 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 Texansincluding 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."
