Tennessee Legislature Passes bill to make the Holy Bible the State Book

[Templar 331]

The First Amendment was never a restriction on the States; it was designed to be a restriction on the Federal Government.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

"Last year, Slatery issued an opinion suggesting the measure would violate separation of church and state provisions in the federal and state constitutions."

Looks like the state constitution could have issues with this.

[Daelak]

Considering that a "State Book" has about as much power over people's lives as a "state flower" or a "state bird" I fail to see the controversy here.

A state endorsing a religious text is NBD? I guess if Tennessee was in the Middle East or West Texas.

[BuckSparkles]

A ranking member of the MMOC OT conservative braintrust has arrived. So, there's no issue with a state endorsing a religious text in your eyes?

No, why would it? They are not forcing anybody to read the bible. They just say it's the state book. Do you really know the official song, drink, bird, w/e of your state? I don't for mine. I doubt the average person cares.

If this state book think gets reversed either way it isn't something to get too worked up about.

[Underverse]

Something something separation of church and state

[Templar 331]

Considering that a "State Book" has about as much power over people's lives as a "state flower" or a "state bird" I fail to see the controversy here.

Baby steps. We already have too many people trying to place the 10 Commandments on court house steps. Give these people an inch and we won't ever get it back.

[GennGreymane]

No, why would it? They are not forcing anybody to read the bible. They just say it's the state book. Do you really know the official song, drink, bird, w/e of your state? I don't for mine. I doubt the average person cares.

If this state book think gets reversed either way it isn't something to get too worked up about.

Its an endorsement/establishment of religion.

[Saucexorzski]

Baby steps. We already have too many people trying to place the 10 Commandments on court house steps. Give these people an inch and we won't ever get it back.

Seen it with the left so many times cant take the chance with the right /nod

[Anevers]

The First Amendment was never a restriction on the States; it was designed to be a restriction on the Federal Government.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Yet it has been used before to remove the 10 Commandments and other religious items from state buildings yes? This will not last long, the Freedom from Religion Foundation in that state will see to that. It will just end up to being a waste of tax dollars and time because they had to pander.

[Cyberowl]

I await the mental breakdowns of both "muh constitution" and "muh bible" groups. Should be glorious.

[Sky High]

should last about as long as any other wildly unconstitutional move at the state level.

[Malachi256]

Ugh, this is so lame. I've never even heard of a state having an official book - is there any precedent for this?

That said, I do think this is several steps removed from "state endorsement of a religion," as IMO it seems like more of a recognition of the book's roll in the state's history, but it still irks me and does smack of pandering as others have said. Christianity in the U.S. needs the help of politicians of the "christian right" like a fish needs help from a bicycle repairman.

[Jotaux]

I await the mental breakdowns of both "muh constitution" and "muh bible" groups. Should be glorious.

The only thing in the constitution that matters is the right to bear arms afaik.

[Gheld]

A state endorsing a religious text is NBD? I guess if Tennessee was in the Middle East or West Texas.

It's a book. A book is a book. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is practically a religious text to some people I've met. The book itself is made religious or not by the individual conscience of the reader. It's not a religious text to me.

[GennGreymane]

Ugh, this is so lame. I've never even heard of a state having an official book - is there any precedent for this?

That said, I do think this is several steps removed from "state endorsement of a religion," as IMO it seems like more of a recognition of the book's roll in the state's history, but it still irks me and does smack of pandering as others have said. Christianity in the U.S. needs the help of politicians of the "christian right" like a fish needs help from a bicycle repairman.

they can establish things like birds, flowers, etc. Books in general may be fine, however it can be seen as an endorsement of religion.

[In Ogres We Trust]

Hmmmmmm if there was only some kind of document, a constitution if you will, that superceded state authority.......

Hmm... if there was only a document that stated the following:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Woopsie... there is! Now, if you will, please notice the part that is in bold as it carefully states that the First Amendment is a restriction upon the Government of the United States; hence, the entire premise behind the Constitution/Bill of Rights when the States DELEGATED and RESTRICTED certain RIGHTS to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. In fact, several states had official religions long after the passage of the Constitution.

P.S. The Constitution only supersedes the power of the States on DELEGATED POWERS.

[Kalis]

Ugh, this is so lame. I've never even heard of a state having an official book - is there any precedent for this?

"In 2003 Massachusetts named "Make Way for Ducklings" the state's official children’s book. Minnesota lawmakers once considered making Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House on the Prairie" their state book."

The Bible in now on a par with "Make Way for Ducklings", well done Tennessee.

[Gheld]

Baby steps. We already have too many people trying to place the 10 Commandments on court house steps. Give these people an inch and we won't ever get it back.

Ever get what back? When you show me an example where the selection of a "state flower" has lead to the oppression of that state's horticulturalists then I'll consider it a valid slippery slope.

[Masark]

The First Amendment was never a restriction on the States; it was designed to be a restriction on the Federal Government.

And that went away with the 14th amendment and the incorporation of the Bill of Rights.

[Belize]

Hmmm. Establishment of religion.

TN is also getting a paddling. READY THE PADDLES.

[GennGreymane]

Hmm... if there was only a document that stated the following:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Woopsie... there is! Now, if you will, please notice the part that is in bold as it carefully states that the First Amendment is a restriction upon the Government of the United States; hence, the entire premise behind the Constitution/Bill of Rights when the States DELEGATED and RESTRICTED certain RIGHTS to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. In fact, several states had official religions long after the passage of the Constitution.

Do not ignore 200 years of amendments and rulings. Due to the 14th amendment most of the first 10 amendments have incorporated the states.