Atheist group asks Sheriff to stop promoting Christianity on Facebook

[The Straight Story]

BRADLEY COUNTY, TN (WRCB) -
"If you don't like the Facebook page, you don't have to punch it in and pull it up. You can go to someone else's Facebook page," said Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson, in response to the recent complaints made about his agency's official Facebook page.

The complaints center around a Bradley County Sheriff's Office Facebook post that was published on Easter Sunday. It quotes Bible verses and depicts a cross that says "He Is Risen."

The post prompted the American Atheists Legal Center to send a letter to Watson, asking him to stop promoting Christianity in his official role as Sheriff.

"I have nothing to be ashamed of," Watson said. "I was a Christian before I was elected Sheriff, and I'll be a Christian after I'm not Sheriff."


http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/31640410/atheist-group-asks-sheriff-to-stop-promoting-christianity-on-facebook

[Jackie Wilson Said]

1. Needs to be fired quickly. Violating the constitution.

[scscholar]

3. In general, that's true, but..

this was on Easter. I'd give him a leeway on their made-up most "holy" day that they claim is important.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

4. Not if he used the official department to promote his stupidity.

That is inexcusable for me.

[HuckleB]

9. The day of the year does not change the fact that he used a public page.

[Xithras]

6. In Tennessee, that would take a recall election.

Sheriff is an elected position in that state, and the Tennessee constitution doesn't have an impeachment provision for Sheriff's. Instead, it simply removes them from office upon conviction for a crime. Conviction or recall are the only options.

[rockfordfile]

7. I agree

[HuckleB]

2. It's not your personal page. This is not hard stuff.

Sheesh.

[phylny]

5. Christian here

What he did is inexcusable. He can write anything he wants on his personal page, but not on a public page.

[Warren DeMontague]

8. "his agency's official facebook page"

exactly.