Bill in Congress Would Make 2010 'The Year of the Bible'

Georgia Republican Paul Broun has introduced a bill in the United States House of Representatives that would designate all of 2010 "The Year of the Bible."

The bill does not sit well with many Congressional Democrats:

"Does that mean 2009 is not the year of the Bible?" mocked Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who is Jewish. "What is 2012 the year of? The Quran?"

The bill is but one more reminder of all the silly legislation that Congress so often spends its time passing, honoring this or that sports team, re-naming French fries and the like. It purposefully thumbs its nose at the idea of a separation between church and state, and plays favorites with one particular faith. But Representative Broun doesn't see it that way:

"This doesn't have anything to do with Christianity," he told POLITICO.

To hear Broun tell it, honoring the Bible is about acknowledging history, and the role that the "good book" played in shaping America's. That sounds eerily familiar to those who claim that, from its inception, American has always been and continues to be a Christian nation.

But the truly funny thing is that we have already had a "Year of the Bible." It was 1983, when then President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5018, which stated:

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in recognition of the contribution and influence of the Bible on our Republic and our people, do hereby proclaim 1983 the Year of the Bible in the United States.

Oh well. Maybe Broun will consider renaming the resolution "Year of the Bible 2".



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