First Freedoms

            The topic of discussion concerns some of our First Freedoms, or the freedoms mentioned in the First Amendment. The very first freedom mentioned is Freedom of Religion and close behind it is Freedom of Speech. These two freedoms were recently threatened for a governor.

            Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is currently being pressured to remove some posts concerning religion from his gubernatorial Facebook account. The Governor wrote, “He is risen” and then wished Christians a “happy and blessed Easter!” Ducey posted an appropriate picture and quoted this scripture, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may [die] he shall live’ John 11:25.” 

            The Secular Coalition – a nonprofit organization with the purpose of keeping state government secular – was quick to complain. The Governor replied that he has no intention of removing the religious messages. He added another post after receiving more complaints.

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.

            I see no problems with the Governor posting such comments as long as he posts for all religions. Whether he is right or wrong to do so, I believe that there would be fewer constitutional complaints if people would actually read the words of the Constitution and understand them in the context of the time they were written.