The Freedom From Religion Foundation has placed a full-page in today's New York Times (p. A17), featuring a photograph of the intact pre-9/11 Manhattan skyline juxtaposed with the words: "Imagine a World Free From Religion."
"One of the lessons of 9/11 is that there is no greater source of terrorism, strife, bloodshed, persecution or war than religion," the Foundation ad points out.
"John Lennon was right," comments Freedom From Religion Foundation co-president Dan Barker, author of the new book, Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists (Ulysses Press).
"If there were no religion," Dan added, "it would not automatically solve all our problems, but it would make them so much easier to address."
"In this approaching seventh anniversary of the terror attacks, the role religion plays in creating terrorism and division is that proverbial 800-pound gorilla in the room," said Foundation co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor.
The ad points to "the growing threat of religious fanaticism here at home," the de facto religious test for public office being imposed on candidates, and asks: "Is the American public flirting with theocracy?," adding: "Don't let it happen here!"
The ad promotes membership in the Freedom From Religion Foundation, points out that FFRF is the largest national association of freethinkers, recounts FFRF achievements and touts the Foundation's significant 30-year history of litigation to keep state and church separate.
"We came into the office today to find the phones ringing off the hooks, and already have been contacted by many very interested prospective members from all over the nation," said Dan.
"We thank the original East Coast FFRF member who suggested this ad and contributed $10,000, and the other members who contributed toward this national statement," added Annie Laurie.
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., is a national association of more than 12,000 freethinkers (atheists, agnostics) that has been working since 1978 to keep church and state separate.
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Humanists Praise Bold New York Times Ad
