The state of Tennessee just took their membership as part of America’s ‘Bible Belt’ to a whole new level.
Earlier this week, state lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to make the Bible their official state book! The bill will now head to the governor’s desk for final approval, or could become law within 10 days should he not act on the legislation.
Via The Tennessean:
Tennessee is poised to make history as the first state in the nation to recognize the Holy Bible as its official book.
After nearly 30 minutes of debate, the state Senate on Monday approved the measure, sponsored by Sen. Steve Southerland, R-Morristown, with a 19-8 vote, sending the legislation to Gov. Bill Haslam’s desk.
While proponents stressed the historic significance of the holy book and its religious meaning, some opponents argued that the bill trivializes something they hold sacred while others stressed constitutional reservations.
Despite representing a state in which 8 of it’s 10 residents are Christian, not everyone was on board with making the Bible their state book. Some cited the separation of church and state. Others, who are supportive of religion, claimed this legislation was beneath the holy book, and would actually degrade it.
Opponents also point to a state constitutional provision which reads, “No preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode or worship.”
Republican state Sen. Steve Southerland said it’s not about religion, however.
“What we’re doing here is recognizing [the Bible] for its historical and cultural contributions to the state of Tennessee,” he explained.
Another state senator, Kerry Roberts, said “The very founding of our nation — the very form of government that we have today — was put forth by men of faith, based on their faith, based on what they read in Holy Scripture.”
Reuters is reporting that Governor Bill Haslam is being pressured by civil libertarian and non-theistic groups to stop the measure from becoming law.
Haslam has stated that he opposes the measure but has not committed to issuing a veto on the measure. In 2015, a spokesman for Haslam stated that “The governor doesn’t think it’s very respectful of what the Bible is.”
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