(To see the full-sized ad select the box in the lower right hand corner of the video screen. If you cannot view the video above within this news release, click here to view it on FFRF's youtube channel.)
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is reaching out to 'Rachel Maddow Show' viewers with its national TV ad this week.
The secular advertisement is believed to be the first freethought ad ever to be aired on MSNBC. The ad debuted on Monday and will air Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-10 p.m., Eastern Central.
The ad depicts the famous lines delivered by presidential candidate John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in 1960:
"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."
It is this comment which inspired fellow Catholic presidential candidate Rick Santorum to aver it "makes me want to throw up."
FFRF urges audience members to "restore respect for America's secular roots." The commercial ends with final appeal: "Help the Freedom From Religion Foundation defend the wall of separation between state and church. Join us at FFRF.ORG. Freedom depends on freethinkers."
"Besides wanting to educate the public, we want sympathetic viewers to know that they are not alone. We are here to offer support for people who want to work for a complete divide between religion and politics," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
Underneath the 30-second spot can be heard a piano rendition of "America the Beautiful" 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 debuted the ad on the CBS Morning Show two Sundays ago, and on the CBS Evening News on March 26.
Buzz Kemper narrated the ad, and it was produced for FFRF by John Urban Productions.
To help FFRF educate via television, the most powerful mass medium, use the Donate button below. FFRF will place this ad on more networks or websites as funds permit.
