Saw this the other night during the Democrat debate on CNN. Ron Reagan on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. It's estimated (by the FFRF) that this commercial would reach 22 million people by playing once in the debate pre-show and twice inside the debate itself. I doubt that many people watched the debate or CNN for that matter.
Ron says he's not afraid of burning in hell. I laughed out loud because I wasn't prepared for the message. I honestly thought it was a parody spot for a moment. I respect his conviction though. I don't think I could ever bring myself to proudly state on television that.... "I'm an unabashed atheist" and conclude with... "...not afraid of burning in hell". To each his own. I will say with equal conviction that I am a Christian and I believe in The Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Ron may very well believe this across the board concerning all religions. You can't just single out those with Judeo-Christian sensibilities, right? Or Islam or Hinduism. Or, do you think this is an attack on Judeo-Christian beliefs under the guise of keeping church and state separated? If you practice a particular religion could you ever get behind this message? Got a thought one way or another?
Here is a transcription of the commercial courtesy of the FFRF website...
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.
And now that I brought it up it reminds me of some great blues from John Lee Hooker. Enjoy....