On December 6, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Columbus County, NC Sheriff Jody Greene demanding he removes a bible verse from the wall of his office. The FFRF says that the Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, “represents an unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity.”
The FFRF stated that a “concerned citizen” of Columbus County had contacted them with the complaint and argued that “the Supreme Court has said time and again that the ‘First Amendment mandates government neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion.'”
The Sheriff responded, however, that this was nothing more than a political attack during an election year and that he will be unmoved by the leftist attacks. Below is his response that he posted on Facebook on December 21.
Good afternoon, Columbus County citizens. I would like to address the recent news article WECT TV6 ran on me concerning a Bible verse that is posted on the wall at the Sheriff’s Office. The verse is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13” First, the Bible verse was placed on the wall after I took office. It was paid for with private funds, not with county funding. The verse is one of my favorite Bible verses, and it seemed fitting for all the adversity I have had to endure. It is very motivational to me and my staff. Here at the Sheriff’s Office, we work hard in everything that we do. Before we execute a search warrant, or any service that puts our people in immediate harms way, we ALWAYS go to the Lord with a group prayer. ALWAYS!
I was raised in church. I have been in law enforcement for over thirty years. My training taught me to value God, family, and my country. Going back to the Bible verse, I have taken many pictures with that Bible verse in the backdrop with not a single issue, but now that we are going into an election year, it is an issue. How absurd! It seems to me we have a few sheep in wolves clothing. That’s all. This is a political ploy. Some want a person that they can control. Companies spend thousands of dollars on motivational classes, to come up with motivational slogans. My motivation comes from the greatest motivational speaker of all times, Jesus Christ.
Currently, in Columbus County, we are at 180 overdoses. Drugs and violence are killing our youth. We need more Jesus and less politics. I would like to thank the folks for all the phone calls and messages of support. Five of our County Commissioners and our House of Representative Brendon Jones have also called with their support.
I am not scared of much, but I am afraid of burning in Hell. The image shown below from The Freedom from Religion Foundation, mocks Christians’ fear of burning in Hell. According to their Facebook page, they have a contest for the Unabashed Atheist/Nonbeliever of the week. The virtual billboard shown below has the winner’s photo in a silhouette of the devil and flames. Just look at where our society is headed. It is time, past time, to stand up. So let me be clear, I will not waiver on my stance and Christian beliefs.
