Bean Station rep attempts to make the Holy Bible Tennessee’s official book for third time

Rep. Jerry Sexton of Bean Station is trying for a third consecutive year to have the Tennessee legislature adopt the Holy Bible as the state’s official book.

Sexton told the House Naming and Designating Committee that the basis of his resolution is not to uphold one religion over another but to show the book’s historic and economic mark on the state.

“This country wasn’t founded on Buddist or Mohammad or any of those (other) religions. Our country was founded on the Judeo Christian values,” said Sexton who also serves as a pastor.

Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville says the Bible has its importance in many lives but he said as a Christian and caring person he could not be intolerant of others.

“It’s going to be hard for me to tell my neighbors that my book is better than their book. I think we are belittling, by me voting for this, I would be belittling religious beliefs and my God,” said Mitchell.

The resolution will now go before the full House and faces another debate in the Senate. A similar bill was passed in 2015 by the full assembly but was vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam.

(IMAGE: Associated Press)