Sheriff's 'In God We Trust' decal sparks ire
Stone County sheriff’s vehicles now tout “In God We Trust.”
A Missouri sheriff’s department that decided to slap “In God We Trust” decals on patrol cars – the same motto that blares on all U.S. currency – has inadvertently sparked a firestorm of criticism from those who think the saying doesn’t belong on government property.
The decals blare on the back of all police vehicles with the Stone County department in the Ozarks, Sheriff Doug Rader said, Fox News reported.
But many are unhappy.
“Very simple and ill state for the record, I’m not offended that these decals exist, IT’S INAPPROPRIATE TO HAVE THEM ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. No voting required, it’s a violation of church and state. You are showing preference to a religion, how is this such a mystery?” wrote Nathan Belden, on the sheriff’s Facebook page, regarding the decals, Fox News said.
Others questioned who paid for the decals – taxpayers or private entity. And the sheriff explained: We used money from local business donations, he said, Fox News reported.
Rader also said the decals don’t cross any constitutional boundaries – they tout the same message used on all U.S. currency since 1956.
To KSPR-TV, Rader said he acknowledges not all think similarly, but that “a lot of negativity is [actually] coming from people outside the state,” he said.
“It is part of our heritage,” Rader said, of the motto. “It is patriotic.”
Rader said on “Fox & Friends” a lot of neighboring sheriff’s departments have “In God We Trust” on the back of their patrol vehicles, and that his own community is supportive of the decal. Most of the opposition comes from atheists who don’t even live in the community, he said.
“Anytime somebody wants to make a patriotic act these days it’s controversial,” he said.
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FAITH UNDER FIRE Cheryl Chumley '
You are showing preference to a religion'
Stone County sheriff’s vehicles now tout “In God We Trust.”
A Missouri sheriff’s department that decided to slap “In God We Trust” decals on patrol cars – the same motto that blares on all U.S. currency – has inadvertently sparked a firestorm of criticism from those who think the saying doesn’t belong on government property.
But many are unhappy.
“Very simple and ill state for the record, I’m not offended that these decals exist, IT’S INAPPROPRIATE TO HAVE THEM ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. No voting required, it’s a violation of church and state. You are showing preference to a religion, how is this such a mystery?” wrote Nathan Belden, on the sheriff’s Facebook page, regarding the decals, Fox News said.
Others questioned who paid for the decals – taxpayers or private entity. And the sheriff explained: We used money from local business donations, he said, Fox News reported.
Rader also said the decals don’t cross any constitutional boundaries – they tout the same message used on all U.S. currency since 1956.
To KSPR-TV, Rader said he acknowledges not all think similarly, but that “a lot of negativity is [actually] coming from people outside the state,” he said.
“It is part of our heritage,” Rader said, of the motto. “It is patriotic.”
Rader said on “Fox & Friends” a lot of neighboring sheriff’s departments have “In God We Trust” on the back of their patrol vehicles, and that his own community is supportive of the decal. Most of the opposition comes from atheists who don’t even live in the community, he said.
“Anytime somebody wants to make a patriotic act these days it’s controversial,” he said.
READ MORE
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