Members of Alabama’s congressional delegation are showing their support for Auburn University after being criticized by an atheist group for holding a Christian event on campus.
About 200 students were baptized after the “Unite Auburn” event Sept. 12, including one student who was baptized by head football coach Hugh Freeze.
A revival is happening tonight in Auburn. People are getting baptized at Red Barn with hundreds of people cheering them on. The baptisms started following an event at Neville arena tonight called Unite. @TheAUPlainsman @AUFAMILY pic.twitter.com/PzEza1UWKz
— Kristen Carr (@kristencarrau) September 13, 2023
The Freedom From Religion Foundation criticized the event and sent a letter to the university calling it unconstitutional.
“Auburn University is a public university, not a religious one,” said the letter. “It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for university employees to use their university position to organize, promote or participate in a religious worship event. These ongoing and repeated constitutional violations at the university create a coercive environment that excludes those students who don’t subscribe to the Christian views being pushed onto players by their coaches.”
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) disagreed with the organization and said they are misinterpreting the Constitution.
“The Freedom From Religion Foundation should remember that the U.S. Constitution protects religious expression for everyone, regardless of who their employer might be,” Aderholt said. “This event should be praised, not criticized.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation should remember that the U.S. Constitution protects religious expression for everyone, regardless of who their employer might be. This event should be praised, not criticized. https://t.co/jkzCN5V86D
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) September 22, 2023
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville also hit back at the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Happy to be criticized for being ‘overly prayerful,’” Tuberville said on social media.
Happy to be criticized for being "overly prayerful' https://t.co/n0NNzMABoH
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) September 22, 2023
Gov. Kay Ivey already responded to the organization, sending them a letter about how her office plans to protect religious freedom in the Yellowhammer State.
I am proud to stand in support of religious liberty at Snead State Community College and Auburn University.
As governor, I can assure you Alabama will never be intimidated by out-of-state interest groups dedicated to destroying our nation’s religious heritage. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/VrHDUlZ0GB
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) September 22, 2023
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
