The Tennessee Journal, a subscription political newsletter, has sorted through state legislators’ listings of religious preference and found, perhaps not surprisingly, that they are almost 100 percent Christian. The possible exceptions are a couple of lawmakers who do not list their religion in biographical information.
The Senate breakdown: Two Catholics and 31 Protestants. Leading in the Protestant breakdown: seven Baptists, five Methodists, four Presbyterians, and four members of the Church of Christ.
The House breakdown: Three Catholics and almost all the rest Protestant, though a couple simply say “Christian” or do not give a religious preference. Leading the religious House lineup: 45 Baptists, 11 Methodists, seven Presbyterians, six Church of Christ members and three Episcopalians.
In both chambers there are a few congregations with one member each such as Lutheran, a Nazarene and Pentecostal.
The last Jew to serve in the Legislature was former Sen. Andy Berke, who is now mayor of Chattanooga.