The irreverent ad featuring Ron (“unabashed atheist, not afraid of burning in hell”) Reagan extolling the Freedom From Religion Foundation will run on “CBS Sunday Morning” this Sunday, May 16, and May 30. It is airing for the first time on the show; CBS had originally refused to air the commercial on Sunday, May 9.
The progressive son of President Ronald and Nancy Reagan invites viewers to join FFRF in the 30-second spot, saying:
Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intrusion of religion into our secular government. That’s why I’m asking you to support the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation’s largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics, working to keep state and church separate, just like our Founding Fathers intended. Please support the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.
CBS agreed to run the ad nationally earlier this year after refusing for six years, when it appeared on several “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” episodes.
“It’s a heartening sign of the times that atheists and agnostics are being allowed a voice on CBS,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “After all, believing in the concept of eternal torture and punishment should be socially unacceptable, not Ron’s gentle jibe.”
Reagan has received FFRF’s Emperor Has No Clothes Award and addressed FFRF’s national convention in Madison a few years ago. He has publicly identified himself for years as an atheist. He was interviewed recently for FFRF’s “Freethought Matters” TV show.
FFRF advertising is made possible by kind contributions from members. Donations to FFRF are deductible for income-tax purposes.
