The state of Louisiana is on its way to having a state holy book. Initially, Rep. Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport, was proposing that the honor, if that's what you'd consider it, be given to a particular Bible published by a guy named Johannes Prevel sometime between 1510 and 1528. The book is currently in a state museum and is the oldest copy of the Bible in the state of Louisiana. If he had argued that this was not about Christianity or religion but about a specific book that had an important place in Louisiana history and which just happened to be a bible then he might have had a case. But it should surprise no one that Christianity and special state recognition thereof was the goal. As it turned out the Prevel Bible, although in a museum, was apparently privately owned and therefore for some reason ineligible for state book status in Louisiana. Again, if it had been all about this particular volume in the museum then the story would have ended right there. But that's not what this was about. The bill was amended to refer to the King James Bible. But then a Catholic legislator objected to the omissions and discrepancies that are evident in KJV when it is compared to the real Bible, i.e. the Douay-Rheims version. With Christians, if it's not one thing it's another. So what with one legislator waving his Douay-Rheims and others dipping their oars in with this opinion or that question they settled on just, THE HOLY BIBLE. Period. Any old version will do. As long as it's identifiable as a Holy Bible, not a Koran, not a volume of the teachings of Buddha, not a Book of Mormon, and certainly not anything by Christopher Hitchens. And, of course, it must not be in private hands. If this bill passes the resulting law will be challenged in court and probably overturned by some activist judge. It will be one more example of how Christians in this country are oppressed and silenced and forbidden to practice their faith. http://www.loweringthebar.net/2014/... Holy Bible Should Be Its Official State Book http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=877881&n=HB503 Original (this link is to the original version of the bill, which specifies the Prevel bible as The Book)
