fwiw, here in Connecticut, when you apply for a Justice of the Peace (JotP) position, you are asked if you will officiate gay weddings.

Not for any reason to disqualify you, but to put on the JotP website so that the gay couples have more information in their choice of JotP.

Here in CT, the JotP is a political position, a political appointee by the town's Republican or Democrat committee. (if you are "unaffiliated," the process differs, but not an issue for this conversation) So I would not be surprised about that action regarding the political appointment of a JotP.

However, when it comes to Judges, that is different, very different, to me.

iow, a Judge should be a Constitutional position, not a political position. An equal, but separate branch of government.

The Separation of Church and State.

So, my main question becomes ...

In Texas, does a Judge work for the State or a Church?

I repeat my question ...

In Texas, does a Judge work for the State or a Church?

@#5 ... We're a theocracy? ...

That seems to be an end goal of Republicans.

@#1 ... Play this out.

A clerk can refuse a gun license if guns are against the person's ""sincerely held religious beliefs"

A public-school teacher can refuse to teach black children if teaching them runs counter to their "sincerely held religious beliefs"

A pharmacist can refuse to sell you condoms if selling them is against their "sincerely held religious beliefs"

A judge can refuse to marry interracial couples of doing so goes against their "sincerely held religious beliefs"

A police officer can ignore a domestic violence victim's claims if they happen to believe a man can physically abuse their spouse due to "sincerely held religious beliefs"

These are public officials who are permitted to refuse to enforce laws if those laws run counter to their beliefs.

This is outrageous. ...

Yup.

100% agreement.

In this case, a Judge is part of a branch of Government that needs to serve the people it governs.

If you, as a Judge, are unable to do that, then maybe you should not be in a position where you need to serve the people.

Asked from a different perspective... how might those Judges rules upon the cases before them? Will they allow their religious beliefs to taint their decisions?