Missouri Sheriff Adds New Decal To Every Patrol Vehicle, Atheists Outraged [Photo]
A Missouri sheriff has sparked a heated debate over a seemingly controversial decal he’s placed on the back of every patrol vehicle in his county. According to Biz Pac Review, Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader recently took to Facebook with the announcement of a new decal that reads, “In God We Trust.” The Facebook post, which also included a photo of the decal on the back of a truck, explains why the biblical reference was selected. Since it is the sheriff’s office’s “National Motto,” Rader felt it was only befitting.
“I am proud to announce that all of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office Patrol vehicles now have ‘In God we trust’ on the back,” Rader wrote. “This became our National Motto in 1956 and is on all of our currency. There has been no better time than now to proudly display our National Motto!”
The Facebook post has garnered lots of attention from supporters, but of course, all of the reactions have not been positive. A group of atheist activists are reportedly furious over the sheriff’s decal. In fact, the Facebook post has also caused an influx of web traffic to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office official website, where another biblical reference has been noted.
The site actually displays Bible scripture from the book or Romans that biblically defines the role of a police officer.
“For the ‘policeman’ does not frighten people who are doing right; but those who doing evil will always fear him. So if you do not want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The ‘policeman’ is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course, you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose.”
But, of course, not everyone agrees with his sentiments. According to the Blaze, atheist activists have taken to a community blog titled Friendly Atheist to voice their concerns in opposition of the decal, rendering it offensive and unconstitutional. Atheist blogger Hemant Mehta blasted the law enforcement agency by insisting that it “more committed to following the Bible or the Constitution.”
“The worst part is that there probably is no legal recourse here,” the blog says. “‘In God We Trust’ has become so neutralized in our court system that judges no longer see it as Christian. That’s how good it is to be in the Protestant majority in this country.” However, Rader insists “concerned with the tone of the Obama administration with respect to the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.”
At this point, the law enforcement agency does not have any plans to remove the decals.
[Image via Facebook]
