Sarah Huckabee Sanders has issued a firm response after receiving a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation objecting to her decision to close Arkansas state offices on Friday, December 26, in observance of Christmas.
In a public statement, Sanders said the organization demanded she rescind her proclamation, arguing it promoted Christian theology and violated principles of religious neutrality. The governor rejected that request outright.
“Please know that I will do no such thing,” Sanders wrote in her response.
Sanders said Christmas is not merely a secular end-of-year holiday, but a religious observance marking the birth of Jesus Christ, and that meaning should not be ignored. She argued that attempts to strip Christmas of its religious significance misrepresent the holiday’s origins.
The governor also pushed back on claims that her proclamation alienates non-Christian Arkansans, noting that she received the letter while leaving a menorah lighting ceremony attended by Arkansans of different faiths. Sanders said acknowledging one’s own faith while respecting others helps diverse religious communities feel recognized.
Sanders added that the intent of her proclamation was not to impose doctrine, but to reflect on the humility of Christ’s birth and the values it represents. She concluded her letter with a Christmas message, expressing goodwill despite the disagreement.
The proclamation closing state offices remains in effect, and state employees will observe the additional holiday time as scheduled.
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