Gov. Bill Haslam has vetoed SB1108/HB615, the bill, passed by both chambers of the General Assembly, that would make the Bible the official state book of Tennessee.
In a letter to House Speaker Beth Harwell announcing the veto, Haslam said, inter alia:
“In addition to the constitutional issues with the bill, my personal feeling is that this bill trivializes the Bible, which I believe is a sacred text,” Haslam wrote in a letter to House Speaker Beth Harwell.
“If we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, then we shouldn’t be recognizing it only as a book of historical and economic significance. If we are recognizing the Bible as a sacred text, then we are violating the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee by designating it as the official state book.”
It remains to be seen if attempts will be made by the legislaturre to override the veto, with the General Assembly scheduled to adjourn next week.
The Governor’s letter can be accessed
below:
[pdf-1]
