A Tennessee lawman who posted an Easter message and other religious-themed comments on Facebook said Tuesday he is ready for a legal showdown with an atheist group that accused him of violating the Constitution.
Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson, who had the message posted on the department’s Facebook page on Easter, said he is considering a countersuit against American Atheists and a woman identified as “Jane Doe,” after they sued him in federal court over the message.
"Today is one of the most historic days; not only did Jesus die on the cross for our sins, but he rose on this day,” read the post. “Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, and offered himself for our sins. This day represents the best gift any of us could receive, which is 'Eternal Life' with our Heavenly Father."
Watson says the response to the post has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It has come to a point I can’t even keep up with the positive and ongoing images, texts and emails we have received supporting this effort in standing up for our religious freedom,” Watson told the Cleveland Daily Banner. “I am up until 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning responding.”
American Atheists denounced both the message and the apparent scrubbing of comments critical of the Easter post and Watson's religious views. The group’s federal complaint charged that Watson's religious post and subsequent deletion of critical comments "have caused and are causing immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage" to the plaintiffs.
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8 comments:
Good, hopefully the damage is to their idiot disrespectful minds! I have my beliefs you can have yours, now leave us alone!
He has his rights as a human being, as you do. Respect each others' rights. Him using a government page to express a celebration in no way "establishes" any religion.
He could just as rightfully wish the community a Happy Hanukkah.
Just ask yourself if he was a Muslim and posted something on a government website about their holiday would it be ok?
Better no ones religion is mixed with government.
Our government is and was based on the Christian religion . So stuff it , read it and shut the hell up.
If the atheists think religion is fake then why care?
Are we going to give equal time to all religions?
"We" are not Tennessee sheriffs, Drew. I'll do anything that pleases me, and you are free to do the same.
I hope that includes stuffing it, which you will probably enjoy.
Actually our govt is/was based on Athenian politics. Some of the founding fathers were obsessed with the classical world. This is why a lot of our govt buildings resemble Greek architecture.
Tell yourself what you want though... It helps to justify promoting your beliefs every chance you get.
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