State Senator Todd Gardenhire said Tuesday he will abstain from voting on legislation making the Bible a state book. Senate Bill 1108, sponsored by Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) and Rep. Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station), is set for consideration in the House of Representatives Tuesday and is pending scheduling for the Senate floor.
The bill needs 17 votes to be approved by the 33-member Senate.
“There is no book that is more important to me or that has affected my life more than the Bible,” said Senator Gardenhire.
“However, we do not need a state law to sanctify it. That has already been done from a much higher power than the State Senate. At the same time, voting against this resolution would send the wrong message to those who stand against our Judeo-Christian heritage in Tennessee. I will be abstaining for these reasons.”