LAKELAND, Fla. – Church sermons delivered by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in uniform have drawn complaints from a group advocating religious freedom.
The Tampa Tribune reports that Judd won't stop preaching. He's scheduled to be in the pulpit at a Lakeland Church this Sunday.
On Monday, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Judd, warning that preaching in uniform is a violation of the First Amendment. The complaint was prompted by Judd's April 19 sermon at Lakeland's First Baptist Church at the Mall.
The foundation said that by appearing in uniform, Judd gives the impression the county endorses Christianity and "sends a message of exclusion" to non-Christians.
Judd said he found the foundation's letter humorous and entertaining.