Most states have state birds, state mottos, and state nicknames. For example, Louisiana’s nickname is the Bayou State. Its motto is “Union, Justice and Confidence.” And if Louisiana state lawmakers get their way, the official state book will be the Holy Christian Bible.
Republican state lawmaker Rep. Thomas Carmody originally wanted to have a specific bible in the Louisiana State Museum designated the official state book, but broadened his bill to make the King James version of the bible the official book.
That was problematic for some, as Catholics don’t use the King James version, so Carmody went from a specific book in a museum to all Christian bibles.
But Rep. Carmody says this isn’t an issue of church-state separation, it’s just declaring a book as the official state book. “This is not about establishing an official religion,” Carmody told the Times-Picayune.
HB 503, a simple two-page bill, “requires that there be an official state book and further requires that the Holy Bible serve as the official state book.”
The bill passed 8-5 out of committee last week, and is set to be voted on by the full House, then head over to the Senate.
The Times-Picayune reports that a “few committee members fought the bill vehemently, saying the legislation was likely to upset some citizens who are not Christian and open the state up to legal challenges.”
“I am so bothered by this bill that I just called my pastor. My pastor just said that he thinks we are going to have a legal problem,” said Rep. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, who voted against the legislation.
Rep. Ebony Woodruff, D-Harvey, tried to amend the bill to declare “all books of faith” the official state books of Louisiana, but the proposal failed 5-8. When asked if he would be open to making “all books of faith” a group of official state books, Carmody was fairly adamant in his opposition.
“I would certainly be against that amendment,” he said.
Governor Bobby Jindal, considered a potential candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2016, would likely sign the bill if it came to his desk.
Image via Wikimedia