The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a state/church watchdog and the nation’s largest freethought association with more than 18,000 members, is airing a historic 30-second tribute to separation of state and church on network television.
FFRF’s ad debuted on Sunday, March 25, on “CBS Sunday Morning,” and March 26 on the “CBS Evening News,” on NBC’s “Meet the Press” April 1 and on MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show” the week of April 2-5. FFRF believes these are the first freethought ads ever aired on such shows.
FFRF’s commercial showcases the famous words of Sen. John F. Kennedy in 1960 during his presidential run: ”I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute . . . where no ecclesiastical body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly on the general populace.”
The ad opens with footage of JFK’s speech to Protestant ministers in Houston, which Rick Santorum recently claimed “makes me want to throw up.”
The ad says, “Let’s restore respect for America’s secular roots. Help the Freedom From Religion Foundation defend the wall of separation between state and church. Join us at FFRF.ORG. Freedom depends on freethinkers.”
Underneath the 30-second spot can be heard a piano rendition of “America” recorded by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. The ad concludes with the strains, “Let freedom ring,” and the image of a Lincoln penny with “In Reason We Trust” replacing “In God We Trust.”
FFRF’s name, website and toll-free number, 1-800-335-4021, alternate on the screen. Buzz Kemper narrated the ad, produced for FFRF by John Urban Productions.
Help FFRF educate via television, the most powerful mass medium, by making a tax-deductible contribution to FFRF’s ad campaign at ffrf.org/donate/. View the ad at ffrf.org/.