June 2016 Church & State - June 2015

Tenn. House Fails To Override Bible Bill Veto

  AU admin

The Bible will not become the state of Tennessee’s official book.

A measure granting this designation to the Bible passed both chambers of the legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Bill Haslam (R). The bill, H.B. 615, would have made Tennessee the first state in the country to make the Bible an official symbol.

Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives attempted an override but failed on a 43-50 vote. The bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station), lamented the failure but said he and his colleagues had “made history.”

“There is so much oppression today of Christian beliefs and values it seems it is not the popular thing to do,” Sexton said. “I stand today to say that I’m a Christian and I’m proud that I am and I’m proud that I live in a country that I have the freedom to do that.”

In a letter to House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nash­ville), Haslam explained that he vetoed the bill because it violated both state and federal constitutions and “trivializes” the Bible.

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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