On Thursday, April 9th, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon announced a proclamation that Friday, April 10th, would be a Day of Prayer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the press release from the Office of Governor Gordon.
Nationwide nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) responded to Governor Gordon’s proclamation with a letter of objection. “FFRF’s purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism,” according to the letter sent to Governor Gordon.
A portion of the letter to Governor Gordon reads:
We agree that it is important that we unify people during this difficult time, but rather than unifying people, your message is divisive, excluding many citizens who do not believe in a deity, much less one who answers prayer. It is highly troubling that the National Association of Evangelicals and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are reported to be “joining the governor in this effort.” A governor should not be working hand-in-glove with sectarian denominations — leave the religious proclamations to the churches. You were not elected Pastor in Chief of Wyoming, but governor, taking an oath to uphold our nation’s godless and entirely secular constitution.
The complete letter can be read here: FFRF Response to Governor Mark Gordon, WY