Houston, TX, November 17, 2010 … Saying appeals based on a candidate's religion are "offensive and inappropriate," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today criticized public calls for the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives to be a Christian. 

ADL Southwest Regional Director Martin B. Cominsky issued this statement on behalf of ADL, in conjunction with ADL's North Texas/Oklahoma Regional Office:

Those engaged in campaigning or advocating for candidates for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives should refrain from appeals based on religion.  The decision should be based upon a candidate's qualifications, not his or her religion.

 

Calls for the next speaker to be a Christian are offensive, inappropriate, and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on any religious test for public office.

 

We urge the Texas Legislature to categorically reject calls for a Christian Texas House Speaker, and to publicly denounce efforts to inject religion into the race.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ADL neither supports nor opposes candidates for political office.