Republicans & Democrats in Their Own Words:
National Party Platforms on Certain Biblical Issues

A national party platform is a document produced every four years by the representatives of a political party during its national convention to nominate a presidential candidate. The platform declares to the public that party's vision, beliefs, and values, and its legislative plan and policy positions on important issues of the day. A position set forth in a platform is called a "plank," and platforms today are made of dozens of planks.

Platforms often change from election to election, and decade to decade. Sometimes these changes occur because a party alters its views on a subject. On other occasions, a plank may be added to address a new and compelling issue. For example, school prayer was not an issue addressed by platforms prior to 1962-1963 – the year in which the Supreme Court first prohibited prayer in schools. Similarly, the Supreme Court did not establish abortion-on-demand until 1973, so neither party addressed the issue before that year. However, the silence of a platform on an issue can also mean that the party agrees with the national policy then in place. Party platforms help voters know the values that a party stands for.

This article contains the positions of the two major political parties on four subjects of interest to voters of faith: prayer in schools, abortion, homosexuality, and school choice that includes opportunities for faith-based education. The following excerpts – taken directly from the party platforms – can help citizens of faith make informed decisions about their personal involvement in and voting for a political party.

On Prayer in Schools
The Democratic Party Platform	The Republican Party Platform
1972	1972
No mention of prayer in school.	We reaffirm our view that voluntary prayer should be freely permitted in public places – particularly by school children while attending public schools – providing that such prayers are not prepared or prescribed by the state or any of its political subdivisions and that no person's participation is coerced, thus preserving the traditional separation of church and state.
1976	1976
No mention of prayer in school.	Local communities wishing to conduct non-sectarian prayers in their public schools should be able to do so. We favor a constitutional amendment to achieve this end.
1980	1980
No mention of prayer in school.	We support Republican initiatives in the Congress to restore the right of individuals to participate in voluntary, non-denominational prayer in schools and other public facilities.
1984	1984
No mention of prayer in school.	Mindful of our religious diversity, we reaffirm our commitment to the freedoms of religion and speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and firmly support the rights of students to openly practice the same, including the right to engage in voluntary prayer in schools.
1988	1988
No mention of prayer in school.	Mindful of our religious diversity, we firmly support the right of students to engage in voluntary prayer in schools. We call for full enforcement of the Republican legislation that now guarantees equal access to school facilities by student religious groups.
1992	1992
No mention of prayer in school.	America must remain neutral toward particular religions, but we must not remain neutral toward religion itself or the values religion supports. Mindful of our country's Judeo-Christian heritage and rich religious pluralism, we support the right of students to engage in voluntary prayer in schools and the right of the community to do so at commencements or other occasions.
1996	1996
No mention of prayer in school.	We will continue to work for the return of voluntary prayer to our schools and will strongly enforce the Republican legislation that guarantees equal access to school facilities by student religious groups. We encourage state legislatures to pass statutes which prohibit local school boards from adopting policies of denial regarding voluntary school prayer.
2000	2000
No mention of prayer in school.	We will continue to work for the return of voluntary school prayer to our schools and will strongly enforce the Republican legislation that guarantees equal access to school facilities by student religious groups. We strongly support voluntary student-initiated prayer in school without governmental interference. We strongly disagree with the Supreme Court's recent ruling [Jane Doe v. Santa Fe, prohibiting prayers at football games, athletic events and school graduations], backed by the current administration [President Clinton], against student-initiated prayer.
On Abortion
The Democratic Party Platform	The Republican Party Platform
1976	1976
We fully recognize the religious and ethical nature of the concerns which many Americans have on the subject of abortion. We feel, however, that it is undesirable to attempt to amend the U. S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court decision [Roe v. Wade] in this area.	We protest the Supreme Court's intrusion [through Roe v. Wade] into the family structure through its denial of the parents' obligation and right to guide their minor children. The Republican Party favors a continuance of the public dialogue on abortion and supports the efforts of those who seek enactment of a constitutional amendment to restore protection of the right to life for unborn children.
1980	1980
We fully recognize the religious and ethical concerns which many Americans have about abortion. We also recognize the belief of many Americans that a woman has a right to choose whether, and when, to have a child. The Democratic Party supports the 1973 Supreme Court decision [Roe v. Wade] on abortion rights as the law of the land and opposes any constitutional amendment to restrict or overturn that decision.	There can be no doubt that the question of abortion, despite the complex nature of its various issues, is ultimately concerned with equality of rights under the law. While we recognize differing views on this question among Americans in general – and in our own Party – we affirm our support of a constitutional amendment to restore protection of the right to life for unborn children. We also support the congressional efforts to restrict the use of taxpayers' dollars for abortion. We protest the Supreme Court's intrusion into the family structure through its denial of the parent's obligation and right to guide their minor children.
1984	1984
Today, the fundamental right of a woman to reproductive freedom [abortion] rests on the votes of six members of the Supreme Court – five of whom are over 75. That right could easily disappear during a second Reagan term.	We oppose the use of public revenues for abortion and will eliminate funding for organizations which advocate or support abortion. We commend the efforts of those individuals and religious and private organizations that are providing positive alternatives to abortion by meeting the physical, emotional, and financial needs of pregnant women and offering adoption services where needed. The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We therefore reaffirm our support for a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children.
1988	1988
We believe that the fundamental right of reproductive choice [abortion] should be guaranteed, regardless of ability to pay.	Since its inception, the Republican Party has stood for the worth of every person. On that ground, we support the pluralism and diversity that have been part of our country's greatness. "Deep in our hearts, we do believe": That the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life, which cannot be infringed. We therefore reaffirm our support for a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. We oppose the use of public revenues for abortion and will eliminate funding for organizations which advocate or support abortion. We commend the efforts of those individuals and religious and private organizations that are providing positive alternatives to abortion by meeting the physical, emotional, and financial needs of pregnant women and offering adoption services where needed... As part of our commitment to the family as the building block of economic progress, we believe decisions on family size should be made freely by each family, and we remain opposed to U.S. funding for organizations involved in abortion...
1992	1992
Democrats stand behind the right of every woman to choose [abortion], consistent with Roe v. Wade, regardless of ability to pay, and support a national law to protect that right. It is a fundamental constitutional liberty that individual Americans – not government – can best take responsibility for making the most difficult and intensely personal decisions regarding reproduction. The goal of our nation must be to make abortion less necessary, not more difficult or more dangerous.	We believe the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We therefore reaffirm our support for a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues for abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We commend those who provide alternatives to abortion by meeting the needs of mothers and offering adoption services. We reaffirm our support for appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life.
1996	1996
The Democratic Party stands behind the right of every woman to choose [abortion], consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay. President Clinton took executive action to make sure that the right to make such decisions is protected for all Americans. Over the last four years, we have taken action to end the gag rule and ensure safety at family planning and women's health clinics. We believe it is a fundamental constitutional liberty that individual Americans – not government – can best take responsibility for making the most difficult and intensely personal decisions regarding reproduction... Our goal is to make abortion less necessary and more rare, not more difficult and more dangerous.	The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions. We oppose using public revenues for abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life... Our goal is to ensure that women with problem pregnancies have the kind of support, material and otherwise, they need for themselves and for their babies, not to be punitive towards those for whose difficult situation we have only compassion. We oppose abortion, but our pro-life agenda does not include punitive action against women who have an abortion. We salute those who provide alternatives to abortion and offer adoption services.
2000	2000
The Democratic Party stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay. We believe it is a fundamental constitutional liberty that individual Americans - not government - can best take responsibility for making the most difficult and intensely personal decisions regarding reproduction. This year's Supreme Court rulings show to us all that eliminating a woman's right to choose is only one Justice away. That's why the stakes in this election are as high as ever. Our goal is to make abortion less necessary and more rare, not more difficult and more dangerous.	We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions. We oppose using public revenues for abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life... The Supreme Court's recent decision [Stenberg v. Carhart in 2000], prohibiting states from banning partial-birth abortions – a procedure denounced by a committee of the American Medical Association and rightly branded as fourfifths infanticide – shocks the conscience of the nation. As a country, we must keep our pledge to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence. That is why we say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.
On Homosexuality
The Democratic Party Platform	The Republican Party Platform
1980	1980
We must affirm the dignity of all people and the right of each individual to have equal access to and participation in the institutions and services of our society. All groups must be protected from discrimination based on... sexual orientation.	No mention of homosexuality.
1984	1984
Government has a special responsibility to those whom society has historically prevented from enjoying the benefits of full citizenship for reasons of... sexual orientation.	No mention of homosexuality.
1988	1988
We believe that we honor our multicultural heritage by assuring equal access to government services, employment, housing, business enterprise, and education to every citizen regardless of... sexual orientation.	No mention of homosexuality.
1992	1992
Democrats will continue to lead the fight to ensure that no Americans suffer discrimination or deprivation of rights on the basis of... sexual orientation... Provide civil rights protection for gay men and lesbians and an end to Defense Department discrimination.	Moreover, we oppose efforts by the Democrat Party to include sexual preference as a protected minority receiving preferential status under civil rights statutes at the federal, state, and local level... Unlike the Democrat Party and its candidate, we support the continued exclusion of homosexuals from the military as a matter of good order and discipline.
1996	1996
We continue to lead the fight to end discrimination on the basis of... sexual orientation. We support continued efforts, like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to end discrimination against gay men and lesbians and further their full inclusion in the life of the nation.	We oppose Bill Clinton's assault on the culture and traditions of the Armed Forces, especially his attempt to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military. We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service... The sole source of equal opportunity for all is equality before the law. Therefore, we oppose discrimination based on sex, race, age, creed, or national origin and will vigorously enforce anti-discrimination statutes. We reject the distortion of those laws to cover sexual preference, and we endorse the Defense of Marriage Act to prevent states from being forced to recognize same-sex unions.
2000	2000
We continue to lead the fight to end discrimination on the basis of... sexual orientation. We support continued efforts, like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to end workplace discrimination against gay men and lesbians. We support the full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of the nation. This would include an equitable alignment of benefits.	We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. We support the traditional definition of "marriage" as the legal union of one man and one woman, and we believe that federal judges and bureaucrats should not force states to recognize other living arrangements as marriages. We rely on the home, as did the founders of the American Republic, to instill the virtues that sustain democracy itself. That belief led Congress to enact the Defense of Marriage Act, which a Republican Department of Justice will energetically defend in the courts. For the same reason, we do not believe sexual preference should be given special legal protection or standing in law.
On School Choice & Faith-Based Education
The Democratic Party Platform	The Republican Party Platform
1972	1972
No mention of school choice.	We believe that means which are consistent with the Constitution can be devised for channeling public financial aid to support the education of all children in schools of their parents' choice, nonpublic as well as public. One way to provide such aid appears to be through the granting of income tax credits.
1976	1976
The Party also renews its commitment to the support of a constitutionally acceptable method of providing tax aid for the education of all pupils in non-segregated schools in order to insure parental freedom in choosing the best education for their children.	We favor consideration of tax credits for parents making elementary and secondary school tuition payments.
1980	1980
The Party accepts its commitment to the support of a constitutionally acceptable method of providing tax aid for the education of all pupils in schools, which do not racially discriminate, and excluding so-called segregation academies.	Federal education policy must be based on the primacy of parental rights and responsibility. Toward that end, we reaffirm our support for a system of educational assistance based on tax credits that will in part compensate parents for their financial sacrifices in paying tuition at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary level. This is a matter of fairness, especially for low-income families, most of whom would be free for the first time to choose for their children those schools which best correspond to their own cultural and moral values. In this way, the schools will be strengthened by the families' involvement, and the families' strengths will be reinforced by supportive cultural institutions.
1984	1984
Private schools, particularly parochial schools, are also an important part of our diverse educational system. Consistent with our tradition, the Democratic Party accepts its commitment to constitutionally acceptable methods of supporting the education of all pupils in schools which do not racially discriminate, and excluding so-called segregation academies.	In education, as in other activities, competition fosters excellence. We therefore support the President's proposal for tuition tax credits. We will convert the Chapter One Grants to vouchers, thereby giving poor parents the ability to choose the best schooling available.
1988	1988
No mention of school choice.	We can enhance this record of accomplishment by committing ourselves to these principles: choice and competition in education foster quality and protect consumers' rights... Choice in education, especially for poor families, fosters the parental involvement that is essential for student success, and states should consider enacting voucher systems or other means of encouraging competition among public schools... We will continue to support tuition tax credits for parents who choose to educate their children in private educational institutions.
1992	1992
We oppose the Bush Administration's efforts to bankrupt the public school system – the bedrock of democracy – through private school vouchers.	Parents have the right to choose the best school for their children... They should have the right not only to participate in their child's education but to choose for their children among the broadest array of educational choices, without regard to their income. We also support the right of parents to provide quality education through home-based schools [homeschooling]... American families must be given choice in education. We value the important role played by our private, independent, and parochial schools, colleges, and universities. We believe that their quality is best encouraged by minimizing government regulation.
1996	1996
We should expand public school choice, but we should not take American tax dollars from public schools and give them to private schools.	Our goal is nothing less than a renaissance in American education, begun by returning its control to parents, teachers, local school boards, and, through them, to communities and local taxpayers... That is why we will abolish the Department of Education, end federal meddling in our schools, and promote family choice at all levels of learning... We encourage a reform agenda on the local level and urge state legislators to ensure quality education for all through programs of parental choice among public, private, and religious schools. That includes the option of home schooling, and Republicans will defend the right of families to make that choice. We support and vigorously work for mechanisms, such as opportunity scholarships, block grants, school rebates, charter schools, and vouchers, to make parental choice in education a reality for all parents.
2000	2000
Their [the Republicans'] version of accountability relies on private school vouchers that would offer too few dollars to too few children to escape their failing schools. These vouchers would pass the buck on accountability while pulling bucks out of the schools that need them most. . . . Let there be no mistake: what America needs are public schools that compete with one another and are held accountable for results, not private school vouchers that drain resources from public schools and hand over the public's hard-earned tax dollars to private schools with no accountability.	Republicans desire a better result. We believe that every child in this land should have access to a high quality, indeed, a world-class education, and we're determined to meet that goal... We endorse the principles... which will... assist states in closing the achievement gap and empower needy families to escape persistently failing schools by allowing federal dollars to follow their children to the school of their choice. Expand parental choice and encourage competition by providing parents with information on their child's school, increasing the number of charter schools, and expanding education savings accounts for use from kindergarten through college.