Texas Lawmaker Files Resolution to Make the Bible the "Official State Book" | Hemant Mehta | Friendly Atheist | Patheos
By: Hemant Mehta (Friendly Atheist)
Which Bible will it be?
- English Standard Version. ...
- King James Version. ...
- New American Standard Bible. ...
- New English Bible. ...
- New International Version. ...
- New King James Version. ...
- New Living Translation. ...
- New Revised Standard Version.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Hemant Mehta September 30, 2021
With all problems now solved in Texas, State Rep. Glenn Rogers has introduced a resolution declaring the Bible the "official state book."
HCR 11, a theocrat's wet dream, makes it sound like Texas wouldn't be Texas without Christianity.
WHEREAS, The Bible has filled many roles in the saga of Texas , serving as a social and cultural touchstone that has been integral to the state's history and development; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, as settlement of Texas gained momentum, the Bible provided a vital cultural link between Catholic Tejanos and Protestant Anglo Americans; although their backgrounds differed in many respects, shared traditions helped to unite them and to further their pursuit of greater freedom and, ultimately, independence from Spanish and later Mexican rule; and
WHEREAS, During the Texas Revolution, such heroic figures as Sam Houston, William Travis, Juan Seguin, and Davy Crockett carried their Bibles for wisdom and inspiration; Bibles believed to be Sam Houston's own has been used to swear in more than 30 Texas governors in an enduring inaugural tradition, and it serves as a powerful symbol of continuity and state leadership ; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive recordkeeping was not carried out by local and state government during the 19th century; instead, life events such as births, marriages, and deaths were written in family Bibles ; many of these cherished volumes were passed down through the generations and are now included in the state's archives, providing a vital resource for historians; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas grants official recognition to symbols that resonate broadly with the public and that have played an important part in shaping our state's identity; as a prominent element in the rich fabric of our Texas heritage, the Bible is truly deserving of such acknowledgment ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas, 3rd Called Session, hereby designate the Bible as the official state book of Texas .
I'm shocked. I can't believe this wasn't already a thing in Texas.
Of course, as even a local FOX affiliate notes, the resolution doesn't specify which Bible would be the official book. It's not like there's just one "Bible." There are a number of different translations.
Another problem? Some Christians could argue that by treating the Bible the same way as a certain flower or tree, by giving it an "official state" designation, you're minimizing its importance.
Whatever the defense, there's no reason one religion's holy book should be designated by a state government as special. Texas has given rise to so many prominent authors who have helped define the state — including Larry McMurtry and Cormac McCarthy — yet their works weren't even considered.
This resolution should fail. Texas doesn't need a stronger connection to Christianity. It needs far less of it.
Incidentally, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Mississippi, and Louisiana have all tried passing similar resolutions in the past. All of them have failed despite having Republican majorities. Alabama, however, has a "State Bible." Not exactly a state anyone should be emulating.
Will Texas get it done? Even with their GOP super-majority, it's not a guarantee it'll pass for the reasons I mentioned earlier. Sometimes these bills are more trouble than they're worth. The best case scenario for Rogers is that this resolution goes nowhere; he would avoid any backlash or lawsuits while also being able to claim in future campaign ads that he tried to honor the Bible.
(Image via Shutterstock. Portions of this article were posted earlier)
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I read this novel once about a Handmaid's Tale in the State of Texas. Women didn't have to wear red dresses but their rights were severely curtailed and Christianity was the law. I think the author was a seer
Don't know about seer, but he was obviously a Texas republican.
The author was a woman and pretty sure she wasn't a conservative because the novel was a tragedy.
Then maybe she was a seer.
They should use the version Todd Starnes uses...
Good one!
As long as none of it predates 1776, I'm good with their choice.
the official doorstop of patriotic americans...
Very first comment on the article?
Synfandel • 2 hours agoPerfect.. LOL
that is funny
I suggest one of these.
Speaking of God and the bible..... Twitter can be a tough place.
Ouch! God sent Billy Graham to hell? She is one tough nut!
God on Twitter is hilarious....
Now his ahole son needs to join him.
Hello to another violation of the separation of church and state. Not surprising its Texas involved.
Texas is leading the way towards an authoritarian Christian Dominionist theocracy
In ways, the Texas politicians provide us with comic relief.
Beside this nut and their governor and Lt. Governor and of course the all-time favorite, Cancun Cruz it's a laugh a minute
Let's hope that it continues to be comic relief and not reality. That is something I will pray for
Let's hear an Ahem for that.
First their anti-abortion law, now this.
I'd find it funny if not for the fact these people hold real power and authority.
The Texas revolution against Mexico was largely fought to protect slavery. It is amazing that people in Texas can continue to be so deluded about their own past.
In the Republic of Texas, which was the period between the Texas revolution and their admittance into the Union, no one but white people had any rights. Pray on that assholes.
Who you callin' deluded, Dearie?
not you of course
Hahahahahaha!!Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL. I would have added MTG to the list.
Seeds about TX must have mystical powers. As I was reading this seed, a cousin who I only met once when I was 5 (now 69) called me from TX.
Do they want political asylum?
Really? I would have thought their Official State Book should be Dante's Inferno, when its government passes laws to create a living hell for so many of its residents.
"Dante’s The Inferno is the first part of his masterpiece, The Divine Comedy.. In this epic poem, Dante is led by the poet Virgil into the nine circles of Hell–limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery–culminating in a meeting with Satan himself. Along the way, he meets a number of interesting figures."
I thought they were all about Dr. Seuss. Maybe "Green Eggs and Ham" for Texas state book?
Add to the list of possible candidates;
DAUAY RHEIMS (Roman Catholic- more books)
The Eastern Orthodox Vulgate (even more books)
The Hunters Bible
Christ Cringes For Texas...