EDITORIAL/State (Bible) representatives thump | The Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of Gods truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. But two state Representatives apparently want to go a bit further and make the Bible Mississippis official book. Reps. Tom Miles of Forest and fellow Democrat Michael Evans of Preston, both of whom are Baptist, say they have broad bipartisan support to make the Bible the official state book. Republican Tracy Arnold of Booneville has introduced a similar bill. Putting the Bible on a metaphorical shelf with the state toy (a teddy bear) and the state tree (a magnolia) and all the other official state objects is silly and vain, not to mention the serious Constitutional concerns raised. Did we mention the largemouth bass, the state fish or the prehistoric whale, the state fossil or the Natchez silt loam, the state soil? So were equating the Bible to dirt - but which version, New International, English Standard, King James, New King James? Surely an argument will ensue. The Bible is a holy book, much more than a mere historic text of literary significance, as liberals contend. By making the Bible the state book, what is accomplished? Will the Bible be honored, cherished and revered by the people of Mississippi more than it is already? Is this the first step toward establishing a state religion? Will there be ceremonies and services praising God? No, not at all. Making the Bible the official state book of Mississippi will relegate the Word of God to a place of honor next to a jar of dirt, the teddy bear and countless resolutions creating speciality car tags and well-deserved commendations for cheerleading squads, sports teams and dead legislators. In 1791, as debates over the Constitution raged, it was Jefferson who pressed for adding a bill of rights that would explicitly guarantee both full religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In the end, Madison agreed, and the First Amendment, added to the Constitution as one of 10 amendments comprising the Bill of Rights, opens with the declaration that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The Constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religion, not freedom from. This proposal crosses the line of separation.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 02:18:08 +0000
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