CLEVELAND, Tenn. (AP) — An eastern Tennessee sheriff’s Facebook post celebrating Easter has made a group of atheists $15,000 richer.
News organizations report that Bradley County reached a settlement Thursday with the American Atheists organization over Sheriff Eric Watson’s post on the department’s Facebook page over Easter.
The atheist group and an unidentified resident said Watson violated their First Amendment rights by posting, in reference to Jesus, the message “He is risen” and deleting detractors’ comments.
The American Atheists said in a news release that Bradley County will pay $15,000 in damages and $26,000 in legal fees. The group also says the sheriff’s office has agreed to not promote any religious belief.
In a statement, Watson denied violating the plaintiffs’ rights. He says the settlement was a business decision made by the county.
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The Flying Spaghetti Monster appreciates your donation, Gomer.
R’amen…
I’m not sure if this was his personal site, in which case I think it is within his rights. Or was it an official sheriff’s site, where such things should not be posted.
this is very odd… why is a law enforcement officer posting messages about Jesus and how can you restrict somebody’s first amendment rights on Facebook… you don’t have first amendment rights on Facebook since they are a private company…
Another example as why most businesses and government agencies don’t need a Facebook account. The only digital interface between the public and public servants should be the department or municipalities official Internet site.
“. . . Sheriff Eric Watson’s post on the department’s Facebook page over Easter.”