Monday, May 17, 2021

You Tube Monday - FFRF's Ron Reagan Ad


When I am traveling, I enjoy visiting churches.  The architecture, the art, the glass, the peace.  The first time I visited Notre Dame in  Paris, in 1991, was the first time I encountered lighting candles in a church, I find it calming to do. The fellowship of a faith community, the rituals create a feeling of connection and the comfort of routine. Yet, I am not a practitioner of any organized religion. I understand that some people need a explanation, for the incomprehensible, others rely on a touchstone of faith to cope with the stress of life, whatever gets you through the night. I have found other ways of accepting the unacceptable, and allaying my fears.  

I am distrustful of those who think that their way is the only way, that feel compelled to try to bring others into their fold.  I am angry at religious leaders who shelter abusers, spread hate, and discrimination. I don't believe in mixing religion and politics.  The US Constitution has a clause mandating a separation of church and state because of the horrors in the name of religion that Europe had experienced in the years before the Constitution was written.   

I ran across this little gem, by the son of a dead President, a President who started to blur the line between church and state.  


12 comments:

  1. I'm also a non-believer. I respect the beliefs of others who respect mine. Hadn't seen that clip by Ron Reagan!

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    1. This has run on the CBS Sunday morning show two weeks in a row, national airtime.

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  2. Anonymous5/17/2021

    It is terribly important to maintain the separation of church and state. Of course that isn't the case in England but I am sure there are checks and balances. I think all of our last few conservative Prime Ministers have been church goes. One for a short time even trained to enter the priesthood and our current PM is a member of one of the 'happy clapper' religions.

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    1. Our most recent former president, (he who must not be named), received all kinds of religious endorsements, very hypocritical

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  3. Yes, religion and politics are a dangerous mix.

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    1. There are some glaring examples around the world of governments based on religion, generally not free places

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  4. the video will not play. and FUCK RELIGION!

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    1. I was counting on you to be eloquent

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  5. I had never seen that ad before but I love it. I also agree with the beauty of peace in churches when I travel. I wouldn't want to miss them.

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    1. I chuckled at the zinger at the end

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  6. Many sky-god-based religions have the awful trait to see a need to convert the others or kill them.

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    1. Yes, painful that. I appreciate good people who do good things, but not all do.

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