The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), America’s largest association of freethinkers that serves as a state/church watchdog, has produced a television ad for atheism featuring Ron Reagan, which was aired on May 22 on live editions of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

The celebrity endorsement features Ron Reagan, son of former president Ronald Reagan, who describes himself as a “lifelong atheist” in the video. He serves as the honorary director of the FFRF and unlike his conservative father, Ron Reagan is very liberal, claiming he stopped going to church when he was 12 years old. Even though the organization has sponsored other national ads, this is the first ad that emphasizes on atheism.

“We’re so grateful to Ron Reagan as a public figure for being willing to support the causes of FFRF, atheism and state/church separation,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president, FFRF.

Even though it was quite costly to air the ads during two of Comedy Central’s most popular shows, Gaylor said the audience was the right fit for the message.

“Both shows are highly irreverent, and yet are considered news sources for young people, so it was the right national audience… It's kind of a splashy way to debut the ad, and then we'll air it during cheaper times,” she said.

Here is the entire text of the 30-second ad:

“Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intrusions 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.”

Photo Credit: American Library Association