This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

This probably doesn't top what's going on in Idaho, at least in terms of having a negative effect on struggling single parents. Still.

"Nashville, Tenn. • The Tennessee state House ignored serious constitutional concerns — and the wishes of Republican leaders in Statehouse — in voting to make the holy Bible the official state book.

"The chamber approved the measure 55-38 on Wednesday. It is sponsored by Republican Rep. Jerry Sexton, a former pastor, who argued that his proposal reflects the Bible's historical, cultural and economic impact in Tennessee.

"Tennessee's attorney general, Herbert Slatery, warned in a legal opinion earlier this week that the bill would violate separation of church and state provisions of both the federal and state constitutions.

"Constitutional concerns raised over similar proposals in Mississippi and Louisiana caused lawmakers there to drop those measures in recent years. While Tennessee supporters acknowledged the likelihood of a lawsuit if the bill becomes law, several said it would be worth the expense. ...

" ... Several lawmakers raised concerns about putting the Bible on par with innocuous state symbols such as the official salamander, tree and beverage. ..."

No religious text should be Tennessee's official book — Nashville Tennessean Editorial

"Tennessee lawmakers have filed unconstitutional, divisive and misguided bills that would make the Holy Bible the official state book.

"Both Tennessee and United States' constitutions expressly respect the rights of individuals to worship freely, but also prohibit the state from favoring one religion over another.

"This protects all of us, whether we choose to belong to a religious congregation or not.

"We can live peacefully in society without religious tests and choose which religious institutions to attend and which scriptures to honor.

"Making a religious text the state's official tome isn't like the innocuous act of choosing a state beverage (milk), fruit (tomato) or rock (limestone). This sends a message of exclusion and divisiveness in a state that is becoming more and more diverse. ..."

Religious zealots in Tenn. House embarrass region — Kingsport (Tenn.) Times News Editorial

" ... Will religious zealots never learn that they put everyone's right to practice their faith at risk when they attempt to advance a government sanction of their personal belief system?"

Decreeing Bible state's official book dangerous — Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel Editorial

" ... Obviously, granting official designation as a state symbol to the Bible — or the Quran or the Book of Mormon or any other religious text — would violate the provision of the Tennessee Constitution that states 'no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship.'..."

Tennessee Makes Jesus Your Savior for You, How Nice — Fare la Volpe | Wonkette

"Tennessee's legislative filing date is this Thursday, and the representatives of the Volunteer State have come out in full force to give us all a laugh, which really is their only job when you think about it. ..."

Meanwhile, even further north:

Thus saith Canada's top court: no prayers at council meetings — Ron Csillag | Religion News Service / sltrib.com

" ... Just last year, a divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled that legislative bodies such as city councils could begin their meetings with prayer, even if it plainly favors a specific religion.

"But the Canadian high court ruled that the country's social mores have 'given rise to a concept of neutrality according to which the state must not interfere in religion and beliefs. The state must instead remain neutral in this regard. This neutrality requires that the state neither favor nor hinder any particular belief, and the same holds true for nonbelief.'... "