Tennessee Senate Bill SJR7079

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/21/23
• Engrossed: 8/23/23

Caption

A RESOLUTION to recognize The Church at Large King's Hill House of Prayer.

Impact

The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment by the Tennessee General Assembly of the church's role in encouraging community engagement through religious observance. By recognizing such religious institutions, the legislature underscores the importance of spiritual organizations in contributing positively to civic life and moral guidance. This act represents a legislative endorsement of the intertwining of community values and religious practices, which may encourage similar actions by other faith-based organizations in Tennessee.

Summary

Senate Joint Resolution 7079 (SJR7079) is a resolution recognizing The Church at Large King's Hill House of Prayer, a religious institution based in Nashville. This resolution highlights the church's efforts to enhance the well-being of its community through initiatives like fasting and prayer, particularly around Independence Day. The church organized a period of fasting and prayer from July 1-3, 2023, calling on its congregation to seek divine guidance for the nation and express their commitment to improving societal conditions through spiritual practices.

Contention

While the bill was unanimously adopted with no opposing votes (31 yeas to 0 nays), it reflects a broader dialogue about the role of religion in public life. Though generally uncontroversial, resolutions like SJR7079 can spark discussions regarding the separation of church and state and how public bodies interact with religious institutions. Critics of similar measures may argue that formal recognition by a state legislature could lead to perceived favoritism towards certain religious organizations, potentially alienating those from different faiths or secular perspectives. However, in this case, the resolution appears to focus on community support rather than inducing contention.