A Florida sheriff who recently received a complaint from an atheist group
for delivering a sermon while in his uniform finds their objections "humorous
and entertaining."
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd preached a sermon back in April at a
Florida church wherein he wore his uniform and spoke of God ordaining his
profession.
In response, the Wisconsin-based group Freedom From Religion Foundation
sent him a letter of complaint on Monday.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Judd described the FFRF letter
as "humorous and entertaining" given the nature of the complaint.
Atheist Group Threatens Florida Sheriff With Lawsuit for Wearing His Uniform, Using Gov't Title While Preaching at Churches.
"I actually find it entertaining and humorous that they even made those
allegations. I am the sheriff of the county 24 hours a day seven days a week,"
said Judd.
"I go to environments where the people specifically call here and ask for
me, the sheriff of the county, to come and speak to their group whether it be a
secular group or a religious group."
In April, Sheriff Judd gave a
sermon while in uniform at First
Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland titled "Wouldn't the world be better if
everyone behaved like a Christian."
On Monday, FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a letter to Judd
denouncing his decision to wear the sheriff uniform during his
sermon.
"Promoting your personal religion using your Polk County title and
uniform gives the unfortunate impression that the county supports and endorses
the First Baptist Church on the Mall and its religious teachings," wrote
Seidel.
"In your official capacity as an officer of the government, you are bound
by the Establishment Clause and cannot abuse that office to promote your
personal religious choices."
FFRF demanded that Judd cease preaching
sermons at churches while in uniform,
stating that the next time he gives remarks he should do so as a "private
citizen."
Judd told CP that FFRF's letter is "not an accurate reflection of the
sermon that I delivered" and that he found it "just humorous and entertaining to
me that they would question me doing my job."
"I've spoken at Christian events and Jewish events," added Judd. "It's
not like I went to an event, took the podium over and said 'lock the back door
and everybody's got to listen to me.'"
"They called in and specifically asked me to come there and I showed up
in my work uniform and spoke. And I plan to continue to do
that."
In a statement given to local
media, FBC pastor Jay Dennis referred
to Judd as "one of my dearest friends" as well as an "active member" of his
church.
"The uniform represents more than the office, it represents the man
behind it. It is the man behind it that I asked to speak whether he is in
uniform or out of uniform," stated Dennis.
"I would think people would be proud to have a sheriff whose life and
message, speech and conduct, is consistent with everything that uniform stands
for."
Read
more at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/sheriff-finds-atheists-protest-against-him-for-speaking-at-a-church-humorous-and-entertaining-140526/#CiUIVMrdauv0XIJW.99
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