Some Christians say they are disappointed after Facebook rejected calls for a Crucifix reaction button to be added to the social network.

The demands came from Evangelicals, London's Independent newspaper reported.

They came after Facebook added a rainbow flag reaction button in June, to mark Pride month, allowing users to celebrate and honor the LBGTQ (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer) community.

The newspaper said campaigners are particularly riled at the lack of a Christ-related miniature symbol after a Pride flag was placed in the social media giant's pictorial lexicon last month.

Facebook introduced the rainbow-colored reaction emoji to mark LGBT Pride month on 9 June and "celebrate love and diversity".

But on June 24, Hikmat Hanna posted an image asking for a cross reaction emoji as well. That was then shared by evangelist Joshua Feuerstein with his two million followers.

"We believe in building a platform that supports all communities. So we're celebrating love and diversity this Pride by giving you a special reaction," Facebook said at the time, according to the Daily Mirror.

It said that many in the gay community also saw the addition of the reaction button as a tribute to the rainbow flag creator, Gilbert Baker, who died in March.

Former television and radio evangelist Feuerstein has, to quote his About page, "turned to social media with his personal story of redemption and the hope of how Jesus Christ can heal a hurting heart."

He shared the image further to his 2.2 million followers, and this stirred controversy among people who felt unhappy that Facebook recognized Pride, but not their religion, betanews.com reported.

'FACEBOOK UNLIKELY TO CHANGE MIND'

Feuerstein's sharing of the post on his Facebook page drew strong reactions from both main viewpoints, but betanews.com said "Facebook is unlikely to change its mind.

"And for good reason. The Pride reaction (and Pride month) was introduced to promote equal rights, raise awareness and reduce stigma," said betanews.com.

"Other reactions have been introduced as 'a bit of fun' from time to time, or to commemorate a holiday.

"None of these situations applies to the Christian cross and there is, of course, the consideration that if the cross was introduced as a reaction, reactions for a plethora of other religions would also have to be added - and that would just become massively unwieldy!"

The post garnered more than 28,000 reactions, almost 10,000 shares and 2,200 comments - many of which expressed homophobic views according to the Mirror.

It said some reacting noted that if Facebook added a reaction button for Christians it would also have to add one for one for Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and all other religions.