Texas and Same-sex marriage

After the ruling of the Supreme Court Of The United States (SCOTUS) that allows same-sex marriage in the United States, Governor Abbott of Texas has said he will continue to protect the religious liberties of Texans. He said marriage is for both men and woman only, and all state agencies will prioritize the  protection of Texans’ religious liberties

                          

The Governor took to Twitter and informed Texans that they are not required by the supreme court decision to act contrary to their beliefs regarding marriage. 

Read Governor Abbot statement below released on the state website :

  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.

 

 

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