Positions on Social Issues

Nicaragua, Nuclear Disarmament, Parochial School Aid

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Nicaragua

The 1983 and 1985 Conventions registered opposition to "efforts of the United States government to overthrow the Nicaraguan government."


Nuclear Disarmament

The 1981 Convention called on the President and Congress to propose to the President and the Politburo of the U.S.S.R. "an immediate mutual freeze on the testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons, and of missiles and new aircraft designed to deliver those weapons." Convention resolutions in 1983 called upon the two governments to negotiate similar freezes on laser and particle beam satellites and weapons systems, and on biological weapons. A 1983 resolution called on the U.S. government to delay for one year the deployment of Cruise and Pershing II missiles, and to intensify arms reduction negotiations during that period. In 1984, Convention declared its opposition to "first use" policies and concepts of deterrence. A 1987 Convention resolution urged continued adherence to the terms of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the 1979 Salt II treaty, supported a comprehensive test ban, and opposed the development and deployment by any nation of space-based or first strike weapons." In 1991, Convention called for the cessation of "the manufacture and testing of all nuclear weapons."


Parochial School Aid

Convention in 1971 expressed its belief that "none but public schools should be supported with public monies," and urged that Article XI, Section 3, of the New York State Constitution be retained with its "clear and unequivocal prohibition against providing religious and sectarian schools with public monies for anything except examination or inspection, and the transportation of children." (See also Church/State Separation, Public School Education)

 

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