A controversial proposal to amend West Virginia’s state constitution, which sought to recognize the Bible as an accurate record of human and natural history, has failed to advance. House Joint Resolution 31, which was introduced with the intent of having voters ratify or reject the proposed amendment, died in the House Judiciary Committee when the deadline for bills to pass expired.
If adopted, the amendment would have declared that the state of West Virginia recognizes the Holy Bible, including its sixty-six books from the Old and New Testaments, as “the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government.” The proposed language went further, asserting that the Bible is “an accurate historical record of human and natural history,” and emphasizing its role as the ultimate authority for human moral behavior.
The resolution also included provisions calling for the Bible and its teachings to be given a place of “prominence and reverence” in public buildings, laws, policies, and schools within the state. The specific mention of “natural history” and “public schools” raised concerns that the proposal could be used to challenge or limit the teaching of widely accepted scientific concepts, such as evolution and the Big Bang theory, in West Virginia’s public education system.
Opponents of the resolution argued that it would undermine the separation of church and state, potentially infringing on the rights of students and educators who adhere to scientific principles. Proponents, however, argued that the Bible’s teachings should hold a more prominent role in the state’s institutions, reflecting their belief in the divine inspiration and moral authority of the text.
With the resolution’s failure to progress through the legislative process, the debate over the role of religious teachings in public education and government remains a contentious issue in West Virginia and across the country.
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