Bible Won't Become Official State Book in Tennessee, Veto Override Vote Fails
Tennessee's legislature failed to override a veto on a bill that if enacted would have made the Holy Bible the state's official book.
After considerable debate the veto override failed by seven votes, falling short of the necessary number of 50 House members.
"Republican Rep. Jerry Sexton, a former Baptist minister who was the main House sponsor of the measure, urged colleagues to follow what he called the 'will of the people' in rejecting the veto," reported the Associated Press.
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"Six Republicans and five Democrats who voted for the bill when it passed last year did not support the override on Wednesday. They included Democratic Rep. Johnny Shaw, a Baptist pastor."
Known as Senate Bill 1108, the proposed legislation making the Bible Tennessee's official state book was introduced by Republican Senator Steve Southerland. The House version, known as House Bill 615, was introduced by Representative Sexton.
While it passed with strong support in both houses of the legislature, the bill was not without its critics, which include the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
ACLU of Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg told the AP that she believed the bill was a "thinly veiled effort to promote one religion over other religions clearly violates both the United States and Tennessee Constitutions."
The bill is also opposed by Catholic Bishop Richard Stika, Diocese of Knoxville, who argued it could cause division, Tennessee should respect all faiths, and he doesn't need the state to tell him the Bible is an important book.
A notable supporter of the bill was the Reverend Franklin Graham, who declared his support for the proposed legislation in a Facebook message posted earlier this month.
"Way to go Tennessee! And I hope Governor Bill Haslam will sign the bill to make it official. Legislators said they wanted to recognize and preserve the historical contributions of the Bible to this state," wrote Rev. Graham.
"Just think of the incredible impact the Bible has had on this nation and on mankind. It's not just a book — it's the holy Word of God. It is true from cover to cover, and I believe it. Its teachings are the foundation of my life and I rely on it every day for strength, encouragement, wisdom, and direction."
Regarding the defeat of the veto override, Gov. Haslam stated that he was glad the legislators rejected the override.
"I felt like it trivialized the Bible to put it on the same level with the state bird and insect and so many other things we have," stated Haslam, according to the AP.
"The Bible is either the inspired Word of God or it's not … We shouldn't honor it for one reason when it's really for another."
