WHEREAS, the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights of the United States
Constitution proclaims, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” which protects the right to
choose religious beliefs and the right to “exercise or practice those beliefs; and
WHEREAS, despite guarantees in the U.S. Constitution, recent social and legal trends are threatening Freedom of Religion by erroneously interpreting the First
Amendment to mean freedom from religion. Religion needs protection from the
state, not the other way around; and
WHEREAS, Americans have a Constitutional right and duty to exercise their religion, to vote their consciences on public issues, and to participate in elections and in debates in the public square. These are the rights of all citizens, religious or not;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wyoming Republican Party supports the right of
institutions, businesses, and individuals to refuse services that are inconsistent with their religious tenets and that would infringe upon their freedom of conscience of religious expression as stated in the First Amendment. We believe it is our duty to protect that right by ensuring that no one is forced by the government to violate their conscience and deeply held religious beliefs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Wyoming Republican Party calls on the
Wyoming legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation to protect said
free exercise of religion and prohibit individuals and businesses from being forced to participate in activities contrary to their religious convictions and conscience.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that religious leaders have the right to express their
political views to their congregations without penalty or loss of 501.c3 classification.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all expression of our religious belief in God be
protected and not be infringed upon in the public square, including schools,
government buildings, and universities.
Passed:
Wyoming Republican Party, 22 May 7 State Convention