Scranton Atheism Examiner
Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have unanimously approved House Resolution No. 535, a "noncontroversial resolution," “[d]eclaring 2012 as the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, The Bible, the word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people.”
The resolution refers to the Bible as “holy scriptures” that “led to the early settlement of our country,” credits “Biblical teachings” for inspiring “concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States,” and notes that “[t]he history of our country clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the scriptures in the lives of individuals, families and societies.”
Unlike some other resolutions or legislation which may appear to some as potentially problematic, this resolution does not mince words; the text of this resolution calls the Bible “the word of God” and “holy scriptures” in addition to other problems. One should wager that if Pennsylvania lawmakers were to pass a resolution calling 2012 “The Year of the Koran” noting that the Koran was 'holy scripture' that was the word of Allah, such a resolution would be problematic. Why not, then, concerning the Bible? Governmental entities ought to remain neutral on matters of religion.
Patrick Elliott, staff attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, commenting for this article, notes,
It is shocking that House leadership would classify this as a "noncontroversial resolution" and put it to a vote. It is even more astounding that representatives would pass this. It seems that either they did not know what they were voting on or they were intentionally interfering with the rights of conscience of their constituents in violation of the U.S. Constitution. This is a blatant violation. The resolution proclaims that the Bible is the "word of God," states that "renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people," and declares 2012 as the "Year of the Bible" in recognition of "our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.
Once the government enters into the religion business, conferring endorsement and preference for some religions over others, it strikes a blow at religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths and of no religion to support a particular religious view.
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Pennsylvania House Declares 2012 "Year of the Bible"
Submitted by AUSCS on Jan 29, 2012
By Joseph L. Conn
Is the Bible the “word of God”? Pennsylvania House members apparently think so. They just passed a measure declaring exactly that.
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 535, a resolution designating 2012 the “Year of the Bible.” Introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R–Elizabeth Township) and 36 other legislators, the measure insists that “biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.”
It also asserts that “renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people” and declares “our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.”
The resolution was dubbed “noncontroversial” so it could be brought to the House floor quickly and without committee hearings. It passed unanimously.
The measure is nonbinding, so it didn’t get much press attention. The only news account I saw was in the Examiner, an online publication.
Scranton Atheism Examiner columnist Justin Vacula questioned the constitutionality of the resolution and wondered what the reaction might be if the wording were a little different.
“One should wager that if Pennsylvania lawmakers were to pass a resolution calling 2012 ‘The Year of the Koran,’ noting that the Koran was 'holy scripture' that was the word of Allah, such a resolution would be problematic. Why not, then, concerning the Bible?
“Governmental entities,” he concluded, “ought to remain neutral on matters of religion.”
Vacula is exactly right. If church-state separation means anything at all, it ought to stand for the proposition that government stays out of religious debate. Lots of Americans believe in the Bible, but lots of others don’t. The Pennsylvania House has no constitutional authority to jump into a theological fray.
One of the great ironies of this situation is that Pennsylvania was founded as a refuge for those seeking religious tolerance. In his “holy experiment,” William Penn famously welcomed religious dissenters of many different stripes to his colony. He thought God, not government, was the “only Lord of Conscience.”
It’s a shame that today the Pennsylvania House has turned its back on that admirable tradition and sent a message of intolerance to those who do not share the majority faith.
Is the Bible the “word of God”? Pennsylvania House members apparently think so. They just passed a measure declaring exactly that.
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 535, a resolution designating 2012 the “Year of the Bible.” Introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R–Elizabeth Township) and 36 other legislators, the measure insists that “biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.”
It also asserts that “renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people” and declares “our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.”
The resolution was dubbed “noncontroversial” so it could be brought to the House floor quickly and without committee hearings. It passed unanimously.
The measure is nonbinding, so it didn’t get much press attention. The only news account I saw was in the Examiner, an online publication.
Scranton Atheism Examiner columnist Justin Vacula questioned the constitutionality of the resolution and wondered what the reaction might be if the wording were a little different.
“One should wager that if Pennsylvania lawmakers were to pass a resolution calling 2012 ‘The Year of the Koran,’ noting that the Koran was 'holy scripture' that was the word of Allah, such a resolution would be problematic. Why not, then, concerning the Bible?
“Governmental entities,” he concluded, “ought to remain neutral on matters of religion.”
Vacula is exactly right. If church-state separation means anything at all, it ought to stand for the proposition that government stays out of religious debate. Lots of Americans believe in the Bible, but lots of others don’t. The Pennsylvania House has no constitutional authority to jump into a theological fray.
One of the great ironies of this situation is that Pennsylvania was founded as a refuge for those seeking religious tolerance. In his “holy experiment,” William Penn famously welcomed religious dissenters of many different stripes to his colony. He thought God, not government, was the “only Lord of Conscience.”
It’s a shame that today the Pennsylvania House has turned its back on that admirable tradition and sent a message of intolerance to those who do not share the majority faith.
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