Mississippi Group Wants To Declare Christianity The State Religion

A group in Mississippi is seeking signatures for a ballot measure that would amend the constitution with language that would identify Mississippi as "principally Christian," according to Think Progress.

Arthur Randallson of the Magnolia State Heritage Campaign said Tuesday that the measure, if passed, would reaffirm Christianity in the state constitution.

“We have taken a little bit of time to prepare an initiative that covers promoting Christianity, which is recognized as the principal religion of Mississippi from the founding of the state in 1817 to the present, and affirmed in the state constitution prayer acknowledging the Holy Bible,” he told told OneNewsNow.

According to the group's website, its supporters "passionately believe in the heritage, culture, values, traditions, and Southern hospitality of Mississippi." Other provisions in the initiative would establish English as the official language, make “Dixie” the state song, and designate April as the “Confederate Heritage Month,” among other homages to the state's history.

The text of the amendment also claims that the Christianity provision "shall not be construed to transgress either the national or the state Constitution’s Bill of Rights."

According to Think Progress, the initiative must obtain 110,000 signatures to qualify it for the ballot.