The governor of Tennessee has vetoed legislation that would have made the Bible the state’s official book, saying it would violate the US constitution, but lawmakers vowed to hold a vote to overrule his decision.
In a letter notifying top state lawmakers of his intention to veto the legislation, governor Bill Haslam, himself a Christian, said the proposal violated religious freedoms enshrined in both the US constitution and the Tennessee constitution.
“My personal feeling is that this bill trivialises the Bible, which I believe is sacred text,” Mr Haslam, a Republican, wrote.
The veto comes a week after the state Senate voted to make the Bible the state’s official book. That vote followed the state House’s approval last year. Mr Haslam, who was re-elected in 2014, faced pressure from civil libertarian and non-theistic groups to stop the measure becoming law.
Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, praised Mr Haslam’s move.
– (Reuters)
