In May 2014, Ron Reagan, Jr., the son of former President Ronald Reagan, appeared in an advertisement for broadcast on Comedy Central for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The ad states, “I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intrusions of religion into our secular government.” He then asked people to support the nation’s largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics. He ended the ad with a wry smile, saying, “Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.”
The ad received renewed attention in October 2019 when it aired on CNN during the fourth 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate. The ad was also run during the CNN Democratic debates in January and March 2020.
Unlike Reagan, I’m alarmed at the intrusions of atheism into our government. The Freedom From Religion Foundation seeks to not only keep God, religion, and the church separate from government, but to do away with God, religion, and the church altogether. The atheist unabashedly says, “No God!” while accepting the blessings and benefits that God provides, but never taking the time to say, “Thank you, God!”
Without God this world doesn’t add up or make sense. The great questions of the ages like “Where did we come from?” or “Why are we here?” or “Where are we going?” go unanswered. When God is eliminated one loses his standard or reference point from which to work. When one ignores God, his reasoning is without reason. Thus, when one rejects God and His truth, his heart becomes undiscerning, senseless, and foolish. Instead of being a “wise” man, he becomes an “ignorant” man.
Ron Reagan, Jr. may not fear God, and he may smile and say he’s not afraid of burning in hell, but Jesus said, “My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5). My friends, if you believe the Bible, fear the eternal torment prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Adapted from Dennis Abernathy