A secular advocacy group called on Gov. Doug Ducey (R., Ariz.) to remove a religious post on the governor's Facebook page from Easter, but the governor does not intend to take it down.
Secular Communities for Arizona claimed the governor's post violated the separation of church and state, arguing "elected officials should not use their government position and government property to promote their religious views," the Arizona Republic reports. The post included a cross, a Bible verse, and the phrase, "He is risen."
Ducey responded to criticism of the post in a Thursday tweet.
"We won’t be removing this post. Ever. Nor will we be removing our posts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Palm Sunday, Passover or any other religious holiday. We support the First Amendment, and are happy to provide copies of the Constitution to anyone who hasn’t read it," Ducey tweeted.
We won’t be removing this post. Ever. Nor will we be removing our posts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Palm Sunday, Passover or any other religious holiday. We support the First Amendment, and are happy to provide copies of the Constitution to anyone who hasn’t read it. https://t.co/UzZpLAzzuW
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April 25, 2019
A number of constituents took to the comments section below the Facebook post to express their displeasure with the governor.
"Great sensitivity, Doug. That's the last time this Jew votes for you," one wrote.
"Why do you use a government platform to bring up your personal religion?" asked another. "Are there no citizens in your jurisdiction that believe differently from you?"
Another praised the governor "for having the courage to make this post since it will enrage some people."
In a press release last week, the governor wished Arizonans a "blessed and joyful Easter and Passover weekend."