Lawmaker begs to reconsider ‘Year of the Bible’ resolution
If the apology of State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., is to be believed, he and other lawmakers need to start paying closer attention to what they’re voting on.
The Patriot-News reported earlier today that Cohen has asked his colleagues to reconsider their passage of a resolution in January that declares 2012 the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania.
His excuse? The resolution, which passed on a 193-0 vote, was mixed in with a set of “noncontroversial” resolutions, and he and his colleagues should have payed closer attention to the agenda. He and other lawmakers vowed in Harrisburg today to work toward wiping the vote from the record.
As writtern, the resolution is intended to recognize “both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.” Opponents see that as a violation of the principle of the separation of church and state.
No vote has yet been scheduled on Cohen’s motion to reconsider.
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