The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is speaking out against a jails showing of Kanye West programming because of the religious message with in it.

The Harris County Sheriffs Office in Houston, Tx has drawn the ire of the organization for two surprise concerts for inmates and staff in mid-November. FFRF says West coordinated the performances with jail officials and explained to the media that since hisrecent public conversion to Christianity, his job is to spread the gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me. But the national nonprofit opposes the practice and says the attendance by inmates was not voluntary.

From the news release:

The performances of songs from Wests recent religious album, Jesus Is King, were really more like a church service,the media has reported. West brought some light and #churchservice to people who needed it today at the Harris County Jail, stated none other than Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on social media. Gonzalez also sent out a tweet quoting West as saying that the performance was a mission, not a show. The Sheriffs Office retweeted both of these messages, celebrating the Christian aspect of Wests performances.

Arranging a church-like religious concert for inmates clearly indicates the Harris County Sheriffs Office unconstitutional preference for Christianity, FFRF points out.

The Supreme Court has said time and again that the First Amendment mandates governmental neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion, FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel writes to Gonzalez. By organizing what you admit to be a worship service, you crossed this line.

In short, this was unconstitutional, FFRF underscores. Gonzalez has been elected to a secular office and to uphold a secular Constitution. He cannot use that public office to promote his personal religion, even if it happens to be a religion Kanye West shares. This constitutional violation by Gonzalez is particularly egregious because it imposed religious views on inmates literally a captive audience who have a deep and immediate interest in being seen favorably by the jail staff.

The organization is asking that the Harris County Sheriffs Office vow not to hold anymore programs or concerts with similar subject matter and has asked for a number of public records pertaining to the shows.

The news release offered no concessions based on Wests fame. Making Kanye Wests megafame an excuse for allowing him to perform at government facilities is absurd. If anything, this makes the violation worse because the captive audience may be more receptive to his message.

You can read the full letter to the Harris County Sheriffs Office below.

See the article here:

Freedom From Religion Group Speaking Out Against Kanye West Program in Jail - All On Georgia