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officials threaten religious colleges and universities with massive fines and seek to control their
personnel decisions. Places of worship have reason to fear the loss of tax-exempt status.
We pledge to defend the relislous beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard
religious Institutions asainst government control. We endorse the First Amendment Defense Act,
Republican teglsfation in the House and Senate which wlll bar 1overnment discrimination against
individuals for acting on the belief that marriage Is the union of husband and wife. This Act would
protect the non-profit tax status of falth-'based adoption asendes, the accreditation of religious
educational institutions, the 1rants and contracts of faith-based charities and small businesses, and the
llcensin1 of religious professions - all of which are under assault by elements of the Democratic Party.
We llkewfse endorse the efforts of Republican state leglslators and governors who have defied
intimidation from corporations and the media in defending religious liberty. We support laws to confirm
the longstanding American tradition that religious lndlviduals and Institutions can educate young
people, receive government benefits, and participate In public debates without having to check their
religious beliefs at the door.
We condemn public officials who have proposed boycotts against businesses that support traditional
marriage, and we pledge to protect those business owners who have been subject to hate campaigns,
threats of violence, and other attempts to deny their clvff rights.
We support the public display of the Ten Commandments as a reflection of our history and our country's
Judeo-Christian heritage and further affirm the rights of religious students to engage in voluntary prayer
at public school events and to have equal .access to school facilities. We assert the First Amendment
right of freedom of association for service and youth orsanizatlons to set their own membership

standards.

The First Amendment: Constitutionally Protected Speech

The rights of citizenship do not stop at the ballot box. Freedom of speech Includes the right to devote
resources to whatever cause or candidate one supports. We oppose any restrictions or conditions that
promote their
would discourage citizens from participating in the public square or limit their ability to
incumbent
ideas. Limits on political speech serve only to protect the powerful and insulate
s Doctrine and will oppose any
officeholders. We likewise call for an end to the so-called Fairnes
et.
government efforts to censor political speech on the Intern
dues and other mandatory
we believe the forced funding of political candidates through union
have a First Amendment right to devote
icans

contributions violates the First Amendment. Just as Amer

rt
they have a First Amendment right not to be forced to suppo
resources to f.avored candidates or views'

y oppose
Individuals or ideologies that the

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