Will 2010 be the year of the Bible? Rep. Paul Broun [R-GA] hopes so. He introduced what some are calling the Bible bill on May 7, 2009. While the H. Con. Res. 121 has 15 co-sponsors (all republicans), it has also stirred not so favorable reactions from atheists, Jews, and those of other faiths in the blogosphere. Critics of this resolution are dismissing it as unconstitutional and just a waste of time.

Encouraging the President to designate 2010 as ‘The National Year of the Bible’.

Whereas the Bible has had a profound impact in shaping America into a great Nation;

Whereas deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and New Testament of the Bible have inspired Americans from all walks of life, especially the early settlers, whose faith, spiritual courage, and moral strength enabled them to endure intense hardships in this new land;

Whereas many of our Presidents have recognized the importance of God and the Bible, including George Washington; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; John F. Kennedy; Ronald Reagan, who declared 1983 as ‘The National Year of the Bible’; and especially Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th Birthday Celebration in 2009 highlighted freedom for the slaves;

Whereas shared Biblical beliefs unified the colonists and gave our early leaders the wisdom to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, both of which recognized the inherent worth, dignity, and inalienable rights of each individual, thus unifying a diverse people with the right to vote, and the freedoms of speech and vast religious freedoms, which inspired courageous men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to lead the Civil Rights Movement;

Whereas the Bible has been the world’s best selling book since it was first published in English in 1526, and has influenced more people than any other book;

Whereas the Bible has been a cornerstone in the development of Western civilization, influencing the nations in the areas of history, law, politics, culture, music, literature, art, drama, and especially moral philosophy;

Whereas the Bible, used as a moral guide, has inspired compassion, love for our neighbor, and the preciousness of life and marriage, and has stimulated many benevolent, faith-based community initiatives and neighborhood partnerships that have healed and blessed our families, communities, and our entire Nation, especially in times of war, tragedy, and economic and social crisis;

Whereas the Bible has inspired acts of patriotism that have unified Americans, commemorated through shared celebrations such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and

Whereas 2010 is an appropriate year to designate as ‘The National Year of the Bible’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the President is encouraged--

(1) to designate an appropriate year as ‘The National Year of the Bible’; and

(2) to issue a proclamation calling upon citizens of all faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message of the Holy Scripture which has profoundly influenced and shaped the United States and its great democratic form of Government, as well as its rich spiritual heritage, and which has unified, healed, and strengthened its people for over 200 years.

What do you think, should 2010 be a year of the Bible?

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Year of the Bible
written by Sam Filippo, May 24, 2009

Celebrate the Year of the Bible within the Christian community however you please, but you might want to leave the government out of it unless you would like 2011 to be the Year of the Torah, 2012 the year of the Koran, 2013 the year of the Wiccan, 2014 the Year the Athiest, 2015 - well, you get the picture. Please remember our Constitutional prohibition against the establishment of ANY religion.

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2010 year of the Bible
written by ALICE, June 05, 2009

This is appropriate to declare this year as the year of the Bible ( Torah is part of the Bible) .Let's remember that America was founded on the Word of God which is contained in the Holy Bible and nowhere else, this is just following God 's Word that made America a great and powerful nation today , so sad that the Presidents of this age have forsaken God's Law that is contained in the Holy Bible.

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written by Tammy Weasler, June 08, 2009

What a great idea( for the Church, that is)! We should start now as a "prequel" to the year of the Bible! I think Rep. Broun's heart is in the right place but it may be a little naive to think the government would back such a proposal. However, just because the government may not declare it, the church should definitely do it!
The first order of business must be prayer together as the Body of Christ (BOC). Then maybe we should organize a national gathering(if all of the denominations can agree to it).

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