Mississippi moves to make the Bible the state book

A Bible handwritten in Latin, on display in Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire, England. (Via Wikipedia / Public Domain) 

From AP: 

Mississippi is the birthplace of William Faulkner, Richard Wright and recent U.S. poet laureate Natasha Trethewey. However, some lawmakers say they want to look beyond the secular literary world and designate the Bible as the state book.

At least two bills are being filed during this state election year to make the holy book a state symbol.

One is from Republican Rep. Tracy Arnold of Booneville, who is the pastor of a nondenominational Christian church. The other is from Democratic Reps. Tom Miles of Forest and Michael Evans of Preston, who say they have promises of bipartisan support from more than 20 colleagues.

Miles told The Associated Press on Monday he’s not trying to force religion — or even reading — on anyone.

“The Bible provides a good role model on how to treat people,” Miles said. “They could read in there about love and compassion.”

Lawmakers say designating the Bible as the state book would be completely symbolic and nobody would be required to read it. Furthermore, Miles’ version would not specify a particular translation.

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