A Tennessee lawman who posted an Easter message and other religious-themed comments on Facebook is preparing for a legal showdown with an atheist group that accused him of violating the Constitution.
Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson is considering a countersuit against American Atheists and a woman identified as “Jane Doe,” after they sued him in federal court over the messages.
Here a couple of those posts….”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.” Also, this “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 posts were overwhelmingly positive.
He told the Cleveland Daily Banner, “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,” “I am up until 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning responding.”
American Atheists denounced both the message and Watson’s religious views. The group’s federal complaint charged that Watson’s religious post and their claim that he deleted critical comments, “have caused and are causing immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage” to the plaintiffs.
Watson said his countersuit may focus on the group’s claim he censored the posts of residents in violation of their freedom of speech. The Alliance Defending Freedom has offered to represent the sheriff.