Group Accuses Sheriff's Office Of Promoting Christianity

CANTON, GA — A Wisconsin-based organization has written a letter to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office expressing concerns over two Facebook posts the agency published several months ago the group believes promotes Christianity.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation on Monday, Oct. 29 wrote a letter to Sheriff Frank Reynolds, stating a "concerned citizen" informed them that "the official Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Facebook page occasionally promotes Christianity through its posts."

The foundation cites two posts made in May. The first, published on May 15 post, references Peace Officers Memorial Day and includes the Bible verse Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."

The verse is popular with the law enforcement community and its supporters, and has been adapted by many officers and agencies across the state to reflect their roles in society. It's often seen together with the Thin Blue Line flag, which includes the American flag design with white stripes and stars, a black background and a single blue line running horizontally in the center.

"We write to ensure that future posts by the Sheriff's Office, including those meant to celebrate the service of our military and peace officers, will not include divisive religious promotion," Sam Grover, associate counsel for the Foundation, wrote in his letter.

It also notes CSO's May 28 post commemorating Memorial Day included a photo with "Christian crosses as grave markers."

The foundation is nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, and boasts more than 32,000 members, including 500 in the Peach state, it said.

The foundation goes on to say that social media posts such as these could communicate to its nonreligious followers and non-Christians that they "are not favored members of the community." Regardless of the Sheriff's Office's intent, the Freedom From Religion Foundation states those Facebook posts send a message to those who are in the religious minority that are less valued than their Christian counterparts.

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Grover also encouraged CSO to respond with any steps it will take to "respect the rights of conscience of all Cherokee residents, regardless of their personal religious or nonreligious beliefs."

"As you are aware, citizens interact with and rely on law enforcement during some of the most urgent and vulnerable times of their lives," the group notes. "The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office serves a diverse population that consists of not only non Christians, but also minority religious and nonreligious citizens. We hope you will agree that your office must be even-handed and avoid any appearance of bias towards some citizens, or hostility towards others."

Sheriff Frank Reynolds posted a simple response Thursday afternoon on the agency's Facebook page.

"God bless our brave men and women in uniform," he said. "I pray for them daily. God bless the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County, the great state of Georgia, and the United States of America! Amen."

Reynolds told Patch that there was no ill will meant towards those who do not practice Christianity, and there was no intent to identify one religion as being a priority over the other.

"Our community is very supportive of Cherokee Sheriff's Office, and we appreciate their support," he said. "As the elected sheriff, I believe in God and by faith, I’m a Christian. But I try to be respectful of other people’s religious."

Reynolds said he doesn't see the sheriff's office refraining from referencing God in any of its future Facebook posts, as the agency works to be fair-minded to everyone in the community.

"It’s frustrating...to get a letter like this from the Freedom From Religion Foundation," he said.

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