Free Thought Matters : Ron Reagan Interview on FFRF (Freedom from Religion Foundation)
I was listening to Ron Reagan yesterday share his story and he mentioned that the New York Times asked him if he wanted to run for office. He said no, but after they persisted, he said something like this and it shut them up.
"I'm an atheist, I'd never get voted in."
It was the same idea that Bill Maher discussed with President Barack Obama, and Obama didn't deny it. The common saying is that "There are no atheists in fox holes." But maybe in reality, that is where they are... but where they aren't is in the Oval Office.
I'm not American, so I can't really testify how damaging this is for me, but I can agree it's damaging for my neighbours, especially this year with the up and coming election.
I like Ron's story. I envy him in a way. He didn't wait decades to deconstruct a religion passed down from his parents, he figured out while he was still a young boy that it wasn't real for him. He was spared so much, and I think he understands that. Maybe that is why he just is who he is. He's not trying to repair his past. So many Post-Christians that have spend years in church and now have to come to terms with how they spent their time and money. It's not that easy to forgive yourself for that.
Ron didn't have to do that. He understands the plight of those who have and has supported Atheist organizations with the intent to further the separation of church and state. His country is having a different kind of war within it's own boundaries and he is on the front lines to help move reason ahead of theology in the matters of state.
Today's Day 7 readings from AFL are both tugging at my heart today. Jean Meslier was one of the greatest voices of my 2022 AFL journey. He let his words speak after he died. He never did come out of his closet until his body was in a grave. He words lived on after he did, to encourage many more than just me.
Bertrand Russell was a favourite of mine from 2023, but my heart was struggling a little more. In 2022, I was just discovering my place in the atheistic ideal, by 2023, I knew I was well rooted. I struggled more understanding that this place I dwelled was not welcome in my world, tolerated maybe, but not welcome.
Now it is 2024 and I am back in Authentic Lent wondering how I can be authentic in more than just a blog. It's why I want to share all the people, their stories and their voices this season. I admire them and in my dreams wish I could help them more. I can't do much in my physical world, but I can write and hope, like Jean Meslier, that one day my words will reach people but I may never know.
Day 7: 2022 -"Finding Life after Death in Jean Meslier
Day 7: 2023 -"I already have lost too much."
