Several members of the West Virginia House of Delegates have introduced a proposal to amend the state constitution to recognize the Bible as divinely inspired and deserving of special status in the state.
House Joint Resolution 31 is sponsored by Delegates Henry Dillon, Elias Coop-Gonzalez, Lisa White, Chris Anders, Jim Butler, Margitta Mazzocchi, Tresa Howell, Thomas C. Clark and Erica Moore – all Republicans.
The proposed amendment reads that the “state of West Virginia recognizes the Holy Bible, complete with the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government, an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior. As such, the Holy Bible and its precepts shall be given a place of prominence and reverence in the public buildings, laws, policies, and schools of the state of West Virginia.”
If two-thirds of the members of the House of Delegates and Senate approve the proposed amendment, it would be submitted to the voters in 2026.
Critics noted that by singling out the 66 books of the Bible, the amendment would enshrine the Protestant version of the scriptures into law. (The Douay-Rheims version of the Bible used by Roman Catholics contains 73 books.)