4 Reasons Why Iowa Governor’s Bible Proclamation is Constitutional

Anti-religion groups are threatening to sue Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for his Bible-reading proclamation.

Issued in April 2016, Gov. Branstad’s proclamation encourages Iowans to participate in a “historical” 99 County Bible Reading Marathon. From June 30 through July 3, residents who want to participate in the marathon will come together to read Scripture in front of 99 different courthouses. The proclamation also encourages individual and family Bible reading.

Anti-religion organizations like the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claim that the proclamation violates the Constitution, and are threatening to sue Branstad.

But according to constitutional attorneys at First Liberty, these organizations are wrong. Here are four reasons why:

1. From George Washington to Barak Obama, Faith-Based Proclamations are a Historical Tradition in America

2. Governor Branstad’s Words Merely Encourage, not Compel

3. Parties Who Disagree with Faith-Based Proclamations Have No Right to Sue

4. Branstad’s Proclamation Aligns with America’s Religious Heritage and Founding Principles

As the First Amendment of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

By issuing a Bible-reading proclamation, Branstad has violated neither of these clauses.

The First Amendment does not prohibit government officials from speaking about religion, nor does it prohibit the recognition of America’s religious heritage.

FFRF Co-President Gaylor claims, “We have a godless, secular Constitution. There’s no Bible in it.” But even at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin recommended beginning congressional sessions in prayer.

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