Is theocracy encroaching on government priorities in Arizona?
Do read it all. It’s not long.
As an organization dedicated to reason, science, free inquiry and respect for basic human rights, the Center for Inquiry of Southern Arizona (CFI-SAZ) is troubled that our governor and primarily Republican state legislators enact into law clearly unscientific, religion-based bills generated by the influential Center for Arizona Policy (CAP).
This Phoenix-based fundamentalist Christian lobbying organization got its start in 1995 with a stated goal to protect and defend “conservative and pro-family views.” As detailed on its website (www.azpolicy.org), however, its clear intention is to impose its biblical worldview on all Arizonans.
Indeed, 84 bills (22 in the past two years) advanced by the Center for Arizona Policy have become law. No CAP-opposed bills were passed. It should come as no surprise this was due to overwhelming support from Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican House and Senate legislators.
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To be clear, CFI-SAZ respects any religious group’s right to lobby lawmakers to support initiatives consistent with their beliefs. Additionally, we do not take the position that policies and bills are necessarily flawed because they emanate from faith-based thinking.
However, when publicly elected officials swear to their God to defend and uphold the secular Constitution of a constituency of many and no faiths, yet demonstrate a non-negotiable commitment to advance their personal beliefs, they have revealed a serious conflict of interest. They should recuse themselves from public office.
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