A new bill being proposed for the current legislative session could officially turn the “good book” into the state book.
Rep. Thomas Carmody Jr., R–District 6, has filed legislation that would make the Bible the official book of Louisiana.
Carmody’s legislation, HB 503, specifies that the Holy Bible, published by Johannes Prevel in the 1500s, be anointed the state book.
Prevel’s book is the oldest edition of the Holy Bible in the Louisiana State Museum.
Robin Gough, campus minister at the LSU Christian Student Center, said Carmody’s proposed legislation was a “nice acknowledgment,” and though the Bible does not reflect all of America, it reflects the state of Louisiana.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. It’s OK if it’s the official book if people read it,” Carmody said.
Carmody also stressed that great care should be taken to ensure Louisiana does not ostracize people of different faiths.
Check out other interesting state symbols in Jared Kendall’s interactive. You can also read what Jose Alejandro Bastidas has to say about La. Legislators’ state book choice.