Effort renewed to make Bible official book of Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The state Senate sponsor of a proposal to designate the Holy Bible the official book of Tennessee is trying to persuade colleagues to set aside their concerns and revive the effort.

Republican Sen. Steve Southerland of Morristown said that he will renew his push for the measure during Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The House passed the bill on a 55-38 vote last year, but the Senate sent it back to committee amid constitutional concerns raised by the state attorney general, effectively killing the bill for the year.

While supporters argue the Bible is an integral part of the state’s history, some opponents say it’s far too sacred to be trivialized like the state fruit, amphibian or rock.