Bill to make the Bible Tennessee’s state book delayed

Bible tile

NASHVILLE — Following an often-tumultuous House debate today featuring discussion of God, Jesus, Moses, salamanders, the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions, the ACLU and the seperation of church and state, a final vote on a bill making the “Holy Bible” Tennessee government’s official book has been delayed.

Proponents appeared to have the upper hand — despite a new state attorney general opinion calling the bill unconstitutional — but didn’t have enough votes to force the measure to a final vote beyond the time the allotted time House had set to meet this morning.

As a result the debate will resume on Wednesday.

The bill would list the Bible in the state’s Blue Book along such state symbols as the salamander (official amphibian) and Rock Top, a bluegrass murder ballad.