WASHINGTON — Out of a desire to designate 2010 “The National Year of the Bible,” Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Athens, Ga., introduced a resolution May 7 urging President Obama to issue a proclamation “calling upon citizens of all faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message of the Holy Scripture.”
Broun’s resolution, which has 15 co-sponsors, says the Bible “has profoundly influenced and shaped the United States and its great democratic form of government, as well as its rich spiritual heritage” and “unified, healed and strengthened” America’s people.
Broun’s introduction of the resolution coincided with this year’s National Day of Prayer. That same day, he joined other social conservatives to promote legislation that would designate America’s Spiritual Heritage Week in May.
Civil-liberties and Jewish groups said Broun’s bill is both unconstitutional and unnecessary.
Broun said his resolution does not promote Christianity but rather recognizes the role the Bible played in establishing freedom in the United States, including the right of people of all faiths to speak about their beliefs. The resolution has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
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