\t\u201cOn those matters of social policy that address our deepest concerns\u2014the sanctity of human life, compassion for the downtrodden and persecuted, the identity of the family, and religious freedom, the Republican platform speaks clearly and powerfully,\u201d the letter says.<\/p>\n
\tThe group also says the platform demonstrates the principles that will guide his administration if Romney is elected president.<\/p>\n
\tThe letter includes selections of the platform which its signatories particularly admire.<\/p>\n
\tThe Republican Party's \u201ccompassion for the downtrodden and persecuted\u201d is exemplified in the letter by its allegiance to ending religious persecution overseas, to ending human trafficking, and a commitment to non-discrimination.<\/p>\n
\tThe letter applauds the defense of conscience and religious freedom in the platform, as well as the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.<\/p>\n
\tThe letter also focuses on the moral principles in the Republican platform, which are \u201csquarely within the Judeo-Christian tradition\u201d and are \u201cat stake in today's society.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tRomney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, are thanked for running on a platform which is a \u201cpolitical compass\u201d in the \u201cconfusing moral thickets of our day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe signers encourage support for Romney even though there may be \u201cdifferences in a candidate's theological doctrine.\u201d This is despite the fact that \u201csome have tempered their enthusiasm\u201d for the Mormon candidate. Government policy is the issue, the letter says, not theology.<\/p>\n
\tThe letter is signed by 28 Christian leaders, both Catholic and Protestant, and includes the organizations to which each of the individuals belongs.<\/p>\n
\tThe Catholic signatories include Leonard Leo of The Catholic Association; Raymond Flynn, US Ambassador to the Vatican under President Clinton; Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life; and Deal Hudson of The Catholic Advocate.<\/p>\n
\tThey are joined by Anthony Lauinger of National Right to Life; Peggy Hartshorn of Heartbeat International; Jim Daly of Focus on the Family; and Tony Perkins of Family Research Council.<\/p>\n
\tAlso signing were Frank Wright of National Religious Broadcasters and Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. and director of African American Outreach for Priests for Life.<\/p>\n
\tThe full text of the letter is as follows.<\/p>\n
\tMitt Romney
\n\tRomney for President
\n\t585 Commercial Street
\n\tBoston, MA 02109<\/p>\n
\tDear Governor Romney,<\/p>\n
\tIn this election year, matters of religious belief are once again highly visible in the public square. Some
\n\thave tempered their enthusiasm for sound governing principles by their concern over differences in a candidate\u2019s theological doctrine. It is time to remind ourselves that civil government is not about a particular theology but rather about public policy, and the question we ask is this one: what are the policy principles that will govern your administration should you prevail on Election Day.<\/p>\n
\tFor that answer we must look to the Republican platform, the document that most clearly defines your
\n\tprinciples, and those of your party, on a wide range of topics. Among them are those that derive from
\n\tBiblical truth, an important source of our nation\u2019s political philosophy. As you know, this year the platform proposals received hearty debate and intense scrutiny by Republican delegates from every state just prior to the party convention in Tampa. The platform was adopted resoundingly and embraced
\n\twholeheartedly by you and your running mate Paul Ryan.<\/p>\n
\tFrom our perspective as leaders who are motivated by Christian faith, it is a remarkably strong document and we congratulate you for it. On those matters of social policy that address our deepest concerns \u2013 the sanctity of human life, compassion for the downtrodden and persecuted, the identity of the family, and religious freedom, the Republican platform speaks clearly and powerfully. Its principles
\n\tare squarely within the Judeo-Christian tradition, and we affirm the compelling words that convey its
\n\tpositions. Here are some of them:<\/p>\n
\tSanctity of Human Life<\/p>\n
\t\u201cFaithful to the 'self-evident' truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment\u2019s protections apply to unborn children \u2026 (p. 14)\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe also salute the many States that have passed laws for informed consent, mandatory waiting periods prior to an abortion, and health-protective clinic regulation. We seek to protect young girls from exploitation through a parental consent requirement; and we affirm our moral obligation to assist, rather than penalize, women challenged by an unplanned pregnancy (p.14).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tDefense of Marriage<\/p>\n
\t\u201cA serious threat to our country\u2019s constitutional order \u2026 is an activist judiciary, in which some judges usurp the powers reserved to other branches of government. A blatant example has been the court-ordered redefinition of marriage in several States \u2026 It is an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousands of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values.
\n\t\u201cThat is why Congressional Republicans took the lead in enacting the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the right of States and the federal government not to recognize same-sex relationships licensed in other jurisdictions \u2026 We affirm our support for a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We applaud the citizens of the majority of states which have enshrined in their constitutions the traditional concept of marriage, and we support the campaigns underway in several other States to do so. (p. 10).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tReligious Freedom<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe Republican Party includes Americans from every faith and tradition, and our policies and positions respect the right of every American to follow his or her beliefs and underscore our reverence for the religious freedom envisioned by the Founding Fathers of our nation and of our party. (p. 9).\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe pledge to respect the religious beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard the independence of their institutions from government \u2026 we assert every citizen\u2019s right to apply religious values to public policy and the right of faith-based organizations to participate fully in public programs without renouncing their beliefs, removing religious symbols, or submitting to government-imposed hiring practices (p.12).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tReligious Persecution<\/p>\n
\t\u201cTo those who stand in the darkness of tyranny, America has always been a beacon of hope, and so it must remain \u2026 Religious minorities across the Middle East are being driven from their ancient homelands, fanaticism leaves its bloody mark on both West and East Africa, and even among America\u2019s Western friends and allies, pastors and families are penalized for their religious convictions. A Republican Administration will return the advocacy of religious liberty to a central place in our diplomacy (p. 45).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHuman Trafficking<\/p>\n
\tAs we approach the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by the first Republican President Abraham Lincoln, we are reminded to be vigilant against human bondage in whatever form it appears. We will use the full force of the law against those who engage in modern-day forms of slavery, including the commercial sexual exploitation of children and the forced labor of men, women, and children (p.46).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tNon-discrimination<\/p>\n
\t\u201c\u2026 We consider discrimination based on sex, race, age, religion, creed, disability, or national origin unacceptable and immoral. We will strongly enforce anti-discrimination statutes and ask all to join us in rejecting the forces of hatred and bigotry and in denouncing all who practice or promote racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice, or religious intolerance (p.9).\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThe Republican Party includes Americans from every faith and tradition, and our policies and positions respect the right of every American to follow his or her beliefs and underscore our reverence for the religious freedom envisioned by the Founding Fathers of our nation and of our party. (p. 9).\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThese then are some of the concepts in the Republican platform that speak to the moral principles at stake in today\u2019s society. No such document will satisfy everyone, and its enactment will only be as vigorous as the political leaders we elect. Nonetheless, the platform is a strong statement of social \tCc:\u00a0Reince\u00a0Priebus, Chairman \tSigned by the following as individuals (affiliations listed for identification purposes only)<\/p>\n \tRaymond Ruddy \tTom Minnery \tMargaret H. (\u201cPeggy\u201d) Hartshorn, Ph.D. \tJonathan Falwell \tKristan Hawkins \tRalph Reed \tLeonard Leo \tAnthony Lauinger \tJoel Belz \tDr. Jack C. Willke, MD \tJoseph A. Brinck \tJames Bopp, Jr. \tRaymond L. Flynn \tAndrea S. Lafferty \tRev Louis P. Sheldon \tFr. Frank Pavone \tDr. Alveda King \tTim Wildmon \tPenny Young Nance \tJim Daly \tDeal Hudson \tTony Perkins \tFranklin Graham \tGary Bauer \tAllen & Leslee Unruh \tJerry Falwell, Jr. \tRev. Samuel Rodriguez \tFrank Wright, Ph.D.
\n\tprinciples, and we encourage everyone to judge it for themselves (it is available at http:\/\/whitehouse12.com\/republican-party-platform\/<\/a>). In the confusing moral thickets of our day, this is
\n\ta political compass that provides clear and sharp direction, a guide that is sorely needed by our country\u2019s office holders. Once again we congratulate you and the Republican Party for your diligent work in producing the 2012 platform.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u00a0Republican National\u00a0Committee<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Gerard Health Foundation<\/p>\n
\n\tExecutive Director, Citizen Link<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Heartbeat International<\/p>\n
\n\tThomas Road Baptist Church<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Students for Life of America<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Faith and Freedom Coalition<\/p>\n
\n\tDirector, The Catholic Association<\/p>\n
\n\tExecutive Vice President, National Right to Life<\/p>\n
\n\tFounder, World Magazine<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Life Issue Institute<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Sanctity of Life Foundation<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Bopp Law Firm<\/p>\n
\n\tFormer Mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Traditional Values Coalition<\/p>\n
\n\tChairman and Founder, Traditional Values Coalition<\/p>\n
\n\tNational Director, Priests for Life
\n\tPresident, National Pro-life Religious Council<\/p>\n
\n\tDirector, African American Outreach Priests For Life<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, American Family Association and American Family Radio<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Concerned Women for America<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Focus on the Family<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Catholic Advocate<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Family Research Council<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident, Samaritan\u2019s Purse<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident,
\n\tAmerican Values<\/p>\n
\n\tAlpha Center & National Abstinence Clearinghouse<\/p>\n
\n\tChancellor and President, Liberty University<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident NHCLC Hispanic Evangelical Association<\/p>\n
\n\tPresident and CEO, National Religious Broadcasters<\/p>\n