House debates making Bible official state book as Gov. Bill Lee declares coronavirus emergency
Four years after a similar effort was vetoed by Tennessee's former governor and while Gov. Bill Lee announced a state of emergency due to coronavirus, House lawmakers on Thursday once again took up a bill to make the Holy Bible the official state book.
But after roughly 20 minutes of debate on the House floor — including applause when a Republican reminded his colleagues they did not have to vote yes on the measure — the chamber decided to postpone the remainder of the discussion and voting on the bill until next week.
House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, made the motion to do so because of severe weather forecasted for later in the day.
The legislation, House Bill 2778 sponsored by Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, has yet to be considered in the Senate.
Sexton shared with colleagues "two main points" for why he believed the Bible should become the state book.
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The first was that Bible have historically been used by some families to record their genealogies, Sexton said.
Secondly, he said Bible printing enterprises in Tennessee are an important part of the economy, referring to Bible publishing as a "multi-million dollar industry in the state."
"What I intend to accomplish is to bring attention to the Bible for its history in our state and for the great economic impact that it's had," Sexton said.
As was the case in 2016, when House lawmakers unsuccessfully tried to override former Gov. Bill Haslam's veto, the debate involved quoting scripture.
Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, quoted Psalm 119:11 as he spoke about his opposition to the bill.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sign against thee," said Shaw, who has also been a pastor for 39 years.
He called the bill "dangerous," and argued that all of the state's decision-making was not in line with biblical principles.
"You're going to tell me we're going to make the Bible the state book and turn away refugees?" Shaw said, referencing many Republican members' opposition to Lee's decision to continue accepting refugees in the state.
"We're going to make it the state book and not expand Medicaid?"
Rep. Kevin Vaughan, R-Collierville, received applause when he reminded colleagues the vote "is not a referendum on your personal beliefs or your personal relationship with your creator and savior."
Fighting tears, Vaughan said he had struggled for weeks on how to vote, knowing the bill would be coming up and wanting to reconcile his Christian faith with what he considered "bad policy."
"I just don’t believe bestowing a ceremonial title on the living word of God is something that this body needs to engage in," Vaughan said.
When Haslam vetoed the Bible bill in 2016, he cited an opinion from Attorney General Herbert Slatery who said the legislation could violate the state and federal constitutions.
As the latest bill has made its way through the legislature this year, Lee has remained quiet.
Last month, Lee indicated to reporters he was not prepared to state his position on the legislation.
"There's a lot of bills that when they come through, I comment on them when they get closer to my desk and that will be one that I do as well."
Debate on the bill will resume during the next available House calendar, Lamberth said, which will likely be next week.
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Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison. Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.