The Freedom From Religion Foundation is bringing a secular message for America’s 250th to millions through a full-page ad in The New York Times Magazine on July 5.
The advertisement, emphasizing freedom of conscience, secular government and individual liberty, is part of FFRF’s broader “America 250: Lighting the Way” campaign, which commemorates the nation’s semiquincentennial by highlighting the constitutional principles that protect Americans of every faith and no faith. The campaign’s central message is that government derives its authority from the people — not from religion — and that freedom of conscience remains one of America’s most important and enduring freedoms.
“As our country celebrates this historic milestone, Americans have an opportunity to reflect on the principles that helped make the United States unique,” FFRF Co-President Dan Barker remarks. “The Constitution established a secular government designed to protect religious liberty by keeping religion and government separate. That vision remains just as relevant today.”
The New York Times Magazine placement is expected to reach millions of readers nationwide and is accompanied by a broader digital advertising effort that will continue throughout the summer. FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says the campaign reflects the state/church watchdog’s long-standing commitment to protecting constitutional freedoms.
“From our headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, we’ve spent nearly five decades defending freedom of conscience for all Americans,” Gaylor states. “The Founders understood that religious liberty flourishes when government remains neutral on matters of faith. As America turns 250, we’re reminding people that secular government protects everyone.”
The campaign encourages Americans to learn more about the constitutional separation between state and church and the role that freedom of conscience has played throughout the nation’s history.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
