Tennessee
Why making the Bible Tennessee’s state book is a bad idea (COMMENTARY)
By John Fea — April 6, 2016
(RNS) House Bill 0615 looks like little more than an attempt by legislators, perhaps threatened by religious diversity, to protect a Christian culture that seems to be steadily eroding.
Bill to make Bible official state book goes to Tenn. governor
By Joel Ebert — April 5, 2016
NASHVILLE — If Haslam signs the bill, the Bible would join a list of state symbols such as the raccoon as the state’s wild animal and the Eastern box turtle as the state reptile.
Bill to make the Bible the official book of Tennessee is back
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 30, 2016
(RNS) It was approved by the Tennessee House last year. Now it's out of committee and heading back to the Senate.
Tennessee Senate shelves bill that would name Bible as state book
By Reuters — April 16, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) The state Senate referred the proposal to its Judiciary Committee, which is not scheduled to meet again this session.
Tennessee House approves bill to make Bible official state book
By Reuters — April 16, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) The Republican-controlled state House of Representatives voted 55-38 to approve the Bible as state book.
Tennessee Attorney General: Bible can’t be official state book
By Reuters — April 15, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) "I am quite confident that the Bible's distinguished place in history will not be diminished in the absence of a state's endorsement," state Attorney General Herbert Slatery said.
Gay marriage hits major bump in federal appeals court
By Richard Wolf — November 6, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) "This decision gives greater certainty that this matter will ultimately return to the Supreme Court, as we have said all along that it must," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.
Voters pass wage hikes and legal pot, divide on abortion
By Greg Toppo — November 5, 2014
(RNS) Tennessee approved a constitutional amendment that will give more power to state lawmakers to regulate and restrict abortion.
What happens next in the 20 states that still ban gay marriage?
By Brad Heath — October 7, 2014
(RNS) The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Monday leaves unchanged 20 state laws blocking same-sex unions. Each is already under legal attack, and some judges in those cases had been waiting to see what the high court would do. The court's instruction Monday: Proceed.
84-year-old nun gets 35 months for breaking into nuclear facility
By Amanda Murphy — February 18, 2014
(RNS) An 84-year-old nun gets nearly three years in prison for breaking into a federal nuclear facility as the judge explains that no one is above the law.
Shariah 101: What is it and why do states want to ban it?
By Omar Sacirbey — July 25, 2013
(RNS) Muslims around the world have varying views about what Shariah entails, and its role in personal and public life. So what exactly is Shariah? Here are five facts that might help make sense of this complex and often misunderstood term.
Pastor who pushes corporal punishment accused of abuse
By Bob Smietana — January 16, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) A pastor known for promoting corporal punishment has been accused of physically abusing a woman for 25 years, beginning during her childhood. By Bob Smietana / USA Today.
Young snake handlers grasp the power of faith
By Bob Smietana — June 5, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) While older serpent handlers were wary of outsiders, these younger believers welcome visitors and use Facebook to promote their often misunderstood -- and illegal -- version of Christianity. They want to show the beauty and power of their extreme form of spirituality. By Bob Smietana.
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