The iconic “unabashed atheist” Ron Reagan ad promoting the Freedom From Religion Foundation has aired for the first time on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” today, Feb. 16, for a run of two weeks.
The national state/church watchdog thanks FFRF Board Member Jim Zerwick for suggesting the venue and paying the lion’s share for six of the ads appearing on the early morning talk show, which is hosted by Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist.
In the 30-second spot, Reagan, the progressive son of President Ronald and Nancy Reagan, says:
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.
The ad has aired on four networks this month, including late-night shows on Comedy Central, CBS, TBS and MSNBC, and has just finished a two-week run on “The Rachel Maddow Show.”
“We’re delighted to be taking our message to MSNBC’s early-bird viewers now, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our member Jim Zerwick,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president.
Reagan, the son of President Ronald and Nancy Reagan, has received FFRF’s Emperor Has No Clothes Award and addressed FFRF national conventions. He has publicly identified himself for years as an atheist. He was interviewed recently for FFRF’s “Freethought Matters” TV show.
To make possible continued appearances by the ad, which has brought many new members and increased visibility to FFRF, you can earmark a donation to FFRF’s advertising fund.