The Tennessee House of Representatives has narrowly approved a bill that would make the Holy Bible the state’s official book.
The measure now heads over to the state Senate, where it could face an equally strenuous debate.
House Bill 615 squeaked through the House Wednesday morning with 55 votes, just five more than the minimum needed to pass. Lawmakers spent more than two hours over two days debating the idea, longer than any other issue this session.
Support for making the Bible a state symbol has come from Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike.
Rep. Sabi Kumar (R-Springfield) grew up in India and made the decision to join the Methodist church after immigrating to the United States. He urged non-Christians in Tennessee to recognize the Bible’s central place in the state’s history.
“Yes, follow your heart and follow your religion. But honor the culture, the heritage and the values of our society.”
But critics say the proposal sends an unwelcome message to people of other faiths. They also say it violates the separation of church and state and could be seen as diminishing the importance of the Bible.
The Senate is scheduled to take the measure up Thursday. Its prospects are uncertain, but the opponents will include Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville).
“It’s unnecessary. It’s inappropriate. It really is belittling, if not demeaning, to the Bible. It’s unclear and it’s pretty clearly unconstitutional,” he said. “All I know is I hear Satan snickering. He loves this kind of mischief. You just dumb the Good Book down far enough — whatever it takes — to make it a state symbol, and you’re on your way to where he wants you.”
Gov. Bill Haslam also has been among the proposal’s opponents. He won’t yet say whether he would veto the measure, but he, too, could be forced to take a stand soon.
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