This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Tuesday December 23nd, 2025.

Contrary to what the Freedom From Religion Foundation – FFRF for short -  would have you think, there is no Constitutional clause or mandate that guarantees freedom FROM religion – just freedom OF religion – in the United States of America.   And just like they did in New Hanover County in 2023 when the FFRF threatened the Board of Education over the practice of prayers before board meetings, this feckless organization lost another battle in Arkansas.

A proclamation by the Governor of The Natural State was a clear statement of faith concerning the reasons why we celebrate Christmas – the birth of a Savior in Bethlehem named Jesus.  In recognition of this fact, Governor Sanders declared December 25, 2025 to be Christmas Day.  She is  also closing all state offices and agencies on December 26, in order that state employees may spend this holiday with their families giving thanks for Christ’s birth.

The FFRF cried foul – stating the Governor could close offices as often as she wished – just as long as she didn’t bring her own faith into it.  A letter from Christopher Line, legal counsel for this group, states:

We urge you to respect the religious freedom of all Arkansans, rescind this proclamation, and refrain from issuing unconstitutional sectarian proclamations in the future. All official state communications must remain neutral on matters of religion, as the Constitution requires.

Go pound sand, the Govenor replied.  Her specific quote – I will do no such thing.

The First Amendment of the Constitution declares – in part - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.  In other words, Congress shall not establish a church. Congress – at the national level.  It says nothing about states, localities or school boards.  It says nothing about government officials sharing their faith – or making policies or opposing laws based on what they believe.  In fact, George Washington in his 1796 farewell address to the nation clearly stated that we need faith in government:

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

The lesson of this story is not to shut down the FFRF.  This witless and clearly anti-Christian organization – and others like it – are protected under the same Amendment that they are seeking to twist.

The lesson we need to learn is that we need MORE Christians in government.  We need more people of faith to stand up and run for every office across our land.  We need Christians to turn out to vote for them.  When in office, we need these same Christians to be honest about their faith, and govern out of a clear reverence of the King of Kings who will outlast any state or nation. 

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample.  Thanks for listening.