Atheist Activists Go After Florida Sheriff
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News)– An atheist organization is after a sheriff in Florida for speaking at local churches while wearing his official uniform.
According to the Christian News Network, Sheriff Grady Judd wears his uniform when he speaks at churches throughout Polk County. But atheists from the Freedom from Religion Foundation sent the sheriff a letter that stated: “Promoting your personal religion using a Polk County government title and uniform gives the unfortunate impression that the county supports and endorses the First Baptist Church on the Mall and its religious teachings.”
FFRF said Judd was only permitted to preach as a private citizen and not in his capacity as sheriff, but Judd disagreed.
“Let me say this clearly and unequivocally,” he said. “When people call the sheriff’s office and ask me to come speak, I’m going to come speak … I’m going to wear my uniform….”
In a statement to WFLA-TV, First Baptist Church Pastor Jay Dennis defended Judd.
“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.”