CBS has refused to air a 30-second spot featuring Ron Reagan, that asks for viewers to support the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Ron Reagan recorded a simple 30-second ad for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). In it, the liberal political analyst and son of the former President says he is “an unabashed atheist,” and “alarmed by the intrusion of religion into our secular government.”
Reagan asks viewers “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.”
The FFRF asked CBS to air the ad on its flagship “60 Minutes” news show, or any CBS TV show.
They refused.
“A CBS agent indicated that the ad was rejected “for words and tone,†the Freedom From Religion Foundation says in a statement.
“It appears that if a public figure makes a simple declarative statement in support of state/church separation, FFRF and atheism, it’s too hot to handle for CBS,†said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.Â
“It seems that excess gas, erectile dysfunction and other intimate bodily functions, not to mention ads wherein political candidates viciously attack each other, are acceptable,†added Dan Barker, who co-directs FFRF. “But the plain-spoken, witty and slightly irreverent remarks of a well-known figure identifying as atheist are too much for the delicate sensibilities of CBS’ censors.â€Â
“Why are atheism and freethought still treated as socially unacceptable, even though fully a fifth of the population has no religion today?†Gaylor asked? “If anything should be socially unacceptable, it ought to be blind deference to religion.â€
The ad had previously appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show†and “Colbert Report.â€Â Comedy Central is essentially linked to the same company as CBS in that they share the same Chairman.
Here’s the ad. You decide.
Â
Hat tip: Progressive Secular Humanist