MONTGOMERY, AL:  The Foundation for Moral Law, an Alabama nonprofit organization dedicated to the defense of religious liberty, supported the decision of Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon to hold a prayer vigil this evening despite threats from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (“FFRF”).

In a letter to Sheriff Moon, the FFRF complained that he violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by organizing and promoting a prayer vigil for his community. The crux of the FFRF’s complaint was that Moon was acting as an agent of the government and was therefore impermissibly promoting religion. In an interview with the Trussville Tribune, Sheriff Moon said that he would no longer hold the event in his official capacity as Sheriff but would still hold the vigil in his capacity as a pastor and community leader.

In a letter to Sheriff Moon, the Foundation for Moral Law commended Sheriff Moon for organizing the prayer vigil, explained that the FFRF’s accusations were unmerited, and offered assistance in the unlikely event that the FFRF sued.

Foundation President Kayla Moore commended Sheriff Moon for organizing the prayer vigil, stating, “From the days of George Washington until now, leaders of our nation and our communities have called the people to prayer in order to seek God’s blessing. We commend Sheriff Moon for doing the same as he seeks the welfare of his county.”

Foundation Counsel Matt Clark added, “We believe that the most recent Supreme Court decisions would protect Sheriff Moon even if he did lead the event in his capacity as sheriff, but we are pleased that he did not cave to the FFRF’s demand to cancel the vigil altogether. The FFRF’s claims are based on older precedents that have been significantly weakened in recent years. In the unlikely event that the FFRF actually takes action, the Foundation would be pleased to offer its assistance to the Sheriff’s Department.”