Tennessee —
In December 2023, FFRF reached out to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office after learning that the office was promoting Christianity on its official Facebook page. A post from August 2023 celebrated the baptism of nine women, as well as referencing the bible verse Romans 10:9-10. Commenters similarly wrote messages affirming the Christian faith, including “Praise the Lord” and “Praise God.”
“The Sheriff Office’s motive in promoting inmate baptisms on social media is not to accommodate inmates, but to advance Christianity and coerce inmates and the broader Anderson County community to adhere to the tenets of Christianity,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote.
FFRF received no initial response, which led to letters sent throughout 2024. Finally, after FFRF sent one final letter in 2025, Sheriff Russell Baker apologized for not responding. “As soon as I received the first letter, we stopped posting all religious events related to this office,” Baker wrote. “Additionally, I think it’s worth noting that local churches provide these services and organize these events. Participation is entirely up to the individual inmate.”
