HARPER, Kan. — A police department in Kansas recently removed a Scriptural decal from a patrol vehicle after receiving a complaint from a professing atheist group.
The Harper Police Department had placed a decal on one its vehicles that simply read “Romans 13:4.” The verse, which speaks to the role of government as ordained by God, reads, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
But the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which was contacted by a local citizen—whose name was left anonymous—took issue with the stickers, asserting that they were a violation of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. The Clause reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
FFRF sent a letter to Chief Doug Murphy to urge him to remove the Bible decals.
“It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for a government entity to display such a decal on its property because it displays a preference by the HPD—and by extension, the City of Harper—for religion over non-religion and Christianity over all minority faiths,” the correspondence read.
The organization also took issue with the selection of Scripture.
“The choice of verse is particularly disturbing,” it stated. “Romans 13 begins by claiming, ‘there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.’ This idea directly conflicts with the Constitution’s source of power: ‘We the people.’”
“There is also something perverse about referring to ‘revengers,’ ‘bearing swords’ and ‘executing wrath’ when your true job is to protect and serve,’ the letter continued. “It is not for the HPD to mete out biblical punishments or divine wrath.”