Texas Republican Theocratic Obsessions

[font color=330099]The following is an excerpt from a paid political advertisement by Brian Bolton, retired minister and humanist minister, in the Williamson County Sun. The entire ad is at the bottom of page 5 and recommended reading.[/font]

The Texas Republican Party’s 2016 platform is the most reactionary political statement ever proposed. It is a formulation that embodies complete disrespect for the rights of all Americans who do not share republican theocratic values. Their extreme fundamentalist worldview derives from a highly selective interpretation of the Bible.

This ultraconservative theological conception of republican political doctrine contains fourteen references to God, including the God-given sanctity of life, God-ordained rejection of homosexuality, and a God-given right to carry guns. Only the idolized “free market principles” are equal to God in the republican pantheon of panaceas, also with fourteen citations.

The Texas republicans also renounce humanistic doctrine and socialism in any form. They assert their right to publicly display the Ten Commandments and to engage in public prayer. Only their Christian holidays should be recognized in public schools and by government. They are also committed to dispelling the “myth” of separation of church and state, contradicting Ronald Reagan’s declaration that “church and state are, and must remain, separate.”

Equally important to these liberty-loving Texas republicans is their desire to preserve the freedom given to Americans by God, which they will do by restraining government from intruding into the lives of free citizens. Specifically enumerated are the freedoms of conscience, worship, and prayer. Furthermore, they value freedom of choice in healthcare, education, business, and the right to produce and sell raw milk.

The six issues summarized below with bulleted items taken directly from the platform constitute the Texas republicans’ blueprint for implementing a fundamentalist theocracy in America.

The issues--see advertisement for details:

I. Anti-abortion zealotry
II. Anti-secular intolerance
III. Anti-LGBT hatred
IV. Anti-science denialism
V. Anti-immigration hysteria
VI. Anti-Muslim bigotry

CONCLUSION:

The Texas republicans’ dishonest exploitation of God, the Bible, and Judeo-Christian principles suggests that they will not be satisfied until they transform America into a theocracy incorporating their fundamentalist dogmas. Given the overwhelming negativity and hostility expressed in their platform, it is reasonable to ask: What does it mean to be a Christian? Jesus said love your neighbors, love your enemies, and treat others as you want to be treated.

There is no evidence of Christian love and charity in the Texas republican worldview. The dominant features of the republican attitude revealed in their platform are egocentricity, intolerance, and unmitigated anger. The real threat to American democracy is not socialists, humanists, or Muslims. It is the republican fundamentalist extremists who want to inflict their ungodly biblical falsehoods on everybody else.

Read more: https://www.etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Williamson1//Magazine142393/Full/index.aspx?II=142393#5/z (page 5)

[font color=330099]Note: This is a paid political advertisement which is not copyrighted material.[/font]