ACLU threatens to sue Oklahoma police chief for posting Bible verses on social media

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has threatened to file a lawsuit against a police chief in Oklahoma for sharing Bible verses on the police department's official Facebook page.

In a letter to the mayor of Mounds on Wednesday, the ACLU of Oklahoma voiced its concerns about the social media posts by Mounds Police Chief Antonio Porter, claiming that the use of scripture on the department's Facebook page is a "clear violation of the central tenets of the American government."

"By promoting one specific religion on its official Facebook page, the Mounds Police Department has established clear preference for that faith above other faiths and above no religious faith at all. This kind of government interference with our religious freedom is simply not permissible under United States or Oklahoma law," said Brady Henderson, legal director for the ACLU of Oklahoma, as reported by CBN News.

The ACLU also said that the scriptural posts call into question whether or not the police department can be trusted to protect its citizens. The organization has threatened to file a lawsuit if the police department continues to post Bible verses on its Facebook page.

Porter, who also serves as a pastor of Wayland Baptist Church in Eufaula, said that he starts each day by reading his devotional and posting them on Facebook and LinkedIn afterward.

He explained that his goal in posting the verses was not about picking one religion over another and said that he is trying to send a message that he is praying for others.

Mounds City Mayor Rosa Jackson said that she has no problem with Porter's posts. "I'm not offended by the postings. As a matter of fact, I appreciate them If I were offended, and I didn't like what was being posted, I'd turn it off," she said, according to Faithwire.

The mayor also contended that the posts get people talking and communicating, adding that it is good for the community.

Two state lawmakers have sent a letter to the police chief, expressing their support for his daily scriptural posts. Sen. James Leewright (R-Bristow) and Rep. Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa) sent Porter some verses from the Sermon on the Mount to encourage the chief.

Porter said that he is not concerned about the ACLU's letter, and he has continued to post Bible verses to the department's Facebook page. "With all the negativity in the world, it is time for people to start coming together with positive words and prayer," he said.