tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post7619149992119245325..comments2024-03-28T00:46:19.476-04:00Comments on Religion & American Law: Should the Bible become the official state book of Tennessee?Brantley Gasawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02894338478934982958noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-17603285321528367042015-02-24T21:09:32.187-05:002015-02-24T21:09:32.187-05:00If this bill does not scream "I violate the E...If this bill does not scream "I violate the Establishment Clause and create excessive entanglement," I have no clue what does. Obviously it would be wrong and unconstitutional for Tennessee to adopt the Bible, or any other religious book for that matter, to be its state book. As the other commentators have mentioned above, those of a minority religion or non-religious people in general would be compelled to be identified by beliefs they do not have. Speaking of majority versus the minority, another important point of this argument is that according to our country's democratic values, laws should be passed that represent the will of the majority, which is clearly not what is taking place here.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11065065543773248730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-68208806035561945692015-02-24T16:45:08.350-05:002015-02-24T16:45:08.350-05:00I agree with the previous commenters that the decl...I agree with the previous commenters that the declaration of the Bible as Tennessee's state book would be a clear Establishment of Religion. After the 14th Amendment was ratified, which incorporated all of the Bill of Rights to the states' as well as the federal government, Justice Stewart's argument is no longer relevant. This is clear advancement of religion, and serves little secular purpose. Despite the fact that the third test of the Lemon principle is ambiguous, I do not think "excessive entanglement" is unclear in this instance--declaring the Bible as Tennessee's state book clearly violates all three pieces of the Lemon Test.Emily C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02943906827786205526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-70793649691047662712015-02-24T11:07:49.847-05:002015-02-24T11:07:49.847-05:00I think that declaring the Bible as the state book...I think that declaring the Bible as the state book of Tennessee would absolutely constitute as an establishment of religion. Though the bible does shape many American’s lives, I do not think that it is necessary to make it the official book of a state due to the separation of church and state, which also shapes American lives. Those of the minority religions residing in Tennessee would surely not want religious writings that they do not believe in to be the state book which represents qualities specific to their state. This would be a clear example of advancing religion over non-religion.Mackenzie Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07128715799065965096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-64555335701665709352015-02-23T17:42:13.017-05:002015-02-23T17:42:13.017-05:00Whatever happened to separation of church and stat...Whatever happened to separation of church and state? Are churches ready to be taxed? Will this be the new source of income for TN?65 year oold Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16939863710230477868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-44918118849386676832015-02-23T14:40:07.110-05:002015-02-23T14:40:07.110-05:00No, Tennessee should not be allowed to have the Ho...No, Tennessee should not be allowed to have the Holy Bible as their state book. This would be a clear violation of the Establishment Clause because this would be an advancement of Christianity in the state. Although some, including Justice Stewart, might argue that the clause was meant for the national government and that states have the right to establish a religion I believe it is too big of a population to allow something like this. The majority of Tennessee might be Christian, however, it is not officially a Christian state. Different religions exist in Tennessee which is why the Bible should not be allowed to be the state book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com