Foundation asks sheriff to omit image of cross
NEWARK, Ohio— The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp yesterday asking him to remove a religious symbol from the department’s Facebook page.
The image, which was posted to the Licking County sheriff’s office Facebook page on Dec. 21, shows a blue cross against a black background with the words, “Citizens, thank you for the support.”
“This proselytizing message gives the appearance of government endorsement of Christianity,” said the letter sent to Thorp by Rebecca Markert, the foundation’s lawemotions yer. “It also conflicts with personal religious and nonreligious views of many city residents and employees.”
The letter states that the use of the religious symbol is in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which restricts the public display of religious materials by government entities, “which extend to the official LCSO Facebook page, which any reasonable viewer would assume represents the views of the LCSO,” Markert wrote.
Thorp said he hadn’t yet seen the letter and would not take any action until he saw it.
He said the image was posted by a deputy in honor of the two New York City officers shot a day earlier. “I think it was the that the deputy was feeling at the time,” Thorp said. “I don’t think he did anything with any intent to do anything wrong.”
Thorp said, “If that indeed is a problem, it will be corrected. We’ll abide by any laws, rules or policies that apply. We’re not on any mission.”
The foundation, based in Madison, Wis., issued four complaints against the Licking Valley school district in recent months. It also sued and settled a lawsuit against the Jackson school district in 2013, forcing the removal of a painting depicting Jesus. The settlement cost the southeastern Ohio district $95,000.