So individuals in public office do not have a right to freedom of speech??When acting as a private citizen they have complete freedom of speech and religion. When acting in their role as a government official, they are bound by the Constitution and cannot show religious preference.
A few years ago, we had a case here where a Democratic judge was preaching at and prosletyzing to a defendant while in chambers. No one would ever say that said judge couldn't serve as a preacher in a church on her own time. I think anyone would say her behavior as a judge was wrong and illegal.
-Eric