“Peacemakers” Bible verse to be removed from Michigan jail

Officials in Isabella County in central Michigan will remove text paraphrasing Matthew 5:9 from the entrance of a new jail. The text read, “Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they shall be called the children of God,” and was located on a wall at the building’s entrance. Sheriff Michael Main told the local newspaper, Morning Sun, that he wanted to honor first responders and law enforcement, not promote religion. Authorities will develop a new slogan to display in the building before it opens, Main said.

Why did officials remove the verse? The secularist Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote a letter to county officials condemning the text, according to the Associated Press. The foundation said the message violated U.S. Supreme Court decisions calling for the separation of church and state.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard and Sam Brownback’s discussion about America’s role in defending religious freedom.