Tennessee House passes resolution designating Holy Bible as official state book

The Tennessee House has passed a resolution designating the Holy Bible as the official state book of Tennessee.

House Joint Resolution 150, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Sexton of Bean Station passed by a 55-28 vote during a House floor session Monday. Prior to the vote, Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar questioned the appropriateness of Sexton’s resolution.

“You are wanting to put a book up in front of the state that doesn’t live up to the book, and that’s where I have a problem with what you are trying to do,” said Shaw.

Sexton feels the Bible needs to be lifted up in such a position where it is accessible everywhere, including it being designated as Tennessee’s state book in the Tennessee Blue Book as addressed in the resolution’s text.

“If it means me doing what I think and what I believe would uphold the standards of the love that I have towards God, towards his son Jesus my savior, then I will gladly take that,” said Sexton.

Legislation that worked to adopt the Bible as the state book was passed in 2015 by the full general assembly but was vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam.

Photo Courtesy: Associated Press