Austin, Texas – The Republican Party of Texas delegates convened to vote on a new platform proposing controversial policies on Saturday. One key proposal is the implementation of laws mandating the teaching of the Bible in public schools. Additionally, they seek a constitutional amendment requiring statewide elected leaders to secure the popular vote in a majority of Texas counties.
The 50-page platform also includes stances such as labeling abortion as homicide, opposing gender-transition treatment for children, supporting the use of gold and silver as legal tender, and advocating for the disclosure of all relevant information regarding UFOs by the U.S. government. The finalized platform is set to be established on Wednesday after delegates vote on each proposal.
In recent years, the party’s platform has shifted further to the right and has been utilized as a basis for censuring Republican officeholders deemed insufficiently conservative. This intensified shift has led to increasing tension within the party, particularly targeting officials like Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzalez.
Another significant plank in the platform calls for a constitutional amendment requiring candidates for statewide office to carry a majority of Texas counties to win an election, resembling the U.S. electoral college model. This move could effectively diminish Democrats’ chances of winning statewide office, given Republicans’ consistent victories in rural counties.
Amidst the push towards more right-leaning policies, the platform also emphasizes the infusion of Christianity in public life. It calls for instruction on the Bible, servant leadership, and Christian self-governance in schools, as well as the inclusion of Thomas Jefferson’s “Letter to the Danbury Baptists” in history classes. Additionally, the platform expresses support for religious chaplains in schools, aligning with recent legislative changes.
The party’s alignment with Christian nationalist ideas and the influence of figures like David Barton emphasize the ongoing efforts to embed conservative Christian beliefs into public education. This shift in focus reflects a broader trend within the Texas GOP towards more fundamentalist Christian positions and policies.