Written by Don Byrd
Over the years writing this blog, I have seen several state and local governments memorialize the Ten Commandments through monuments, posters and other government displays. But a recent effort in Louisiana is a new (misguided) way to promote Scripture through government: legislators there are pushing to name the Holy Bible as the state’s official book.
Louisiana’s Advocate has more:
The House Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Committee voted 8-5 to recommend the legislation to the full House.
State Rep. Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport, countered [church-state concerns, claiming] that naming an official state book doesn’t equate to establishing a state religion, which is specifically prohibited in the U.S. Constitution.
“The Holy Bible would be appropriate for the state of Louisiana,” he said, particularly given the state’s strong religious ties.
Should legislatures be uplifting Holy Scripture the same way they name a state bird or song?
