The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today applauded Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam for vetoing HB 65, a bill that would have designated the Bible as the State’s official book. The state’s Attorney General, Herbert Slatery III, had warned lawmakers that the law would violate both the U.S. Constitution and the state’s constitution.

Mark Moskowitz, ADL Southeast Regional Director, issued the following statement:

ADL applauds Governor Haslam for vetoing HB 65, an unconstitutional bill which would have designated the Bible as Tennessee’s official book. By equating the Bible with other State symbols, including the raccoon, the honeybee and a tomato, the bill would have offended many by demeaning a sacred text. At the same time, by making the Bible the official state book, the law would have alienated many others who use alternate versions of the Bible, practice other religions, or follow no religion.

Regardless of the ill-advised policy implications, the bill was also clearly unconstitutional. As Attorney General Slatery rightly recognized, making the Bible the official state book would have violated the First Amendment. America was founded on the principle that there should be a high wall of separation between church and state, and this bill would have violated that fundamental ideal. Governor Haslam made a wise and laudable decision in vetoing the bill, which would have offended some state residents, alienated others and almost certainly ensnarled the state in costly litigation for years to come.