In a new TV ad campaign, Enlightenment Now author Steven Pinker urges viewers to join the Freedom From Religion Foundation in its fight to prevent religion from creeping into the U.S. government. Pinker has served as FFRF’s first honorary president since 2013.
The ad will make its television debut on select stations during CBS’ “The Late Show with Steven Colbert” the week of Jan. 21. FFRF will also be running the ads on digital media outlets.
“The world has become a better place as reason has been overcoming superstition and tribalism. But the values of the Enlightenment are under attack,” says Pinker in the ad. “Please join me in supporting the Freedom From Religion Foundation to ensure that our government is driven not by religion, but by reason.”
The 30-second spot, as of press time, was scheduled to run Monday, Jan. 21, through Wed., Jan. 23, during Colbert’s show, which begins at 11:35 p.m. Eastern, in:
- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Kansas City
- Madison, Wis.
- Milwaukee
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
- Portland, Ore.
- Salt Lake City
- Seattle
- St. Louis
- Tampa, Fla.
- Washington, D.C.
“We’re delighted and honored to have Steve’s endorsement fresh off the success of his powerful book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We hope this campaign prompts secular Americans of all stripes to join FFRF at a critical time, as religious zealots are occupying our highest offices and courts.”
Pinker is one of the world’s premier intellects and cognitive psychologists, and serves as the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He’s been named on the Time 100 list of the world’s “Most Influential People.” Among his other best-selling books are The Blank Slate, The Language Instinct and How the Mind Works. Enlightenment Now has just been released in paperback.
With more than 31,000 members, FFRF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, works as a watchdog to protect the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church. For 40 years, FFRF has served as a leading voice for freethought in America among atheists, agnostics and humanists and other unbelievers. For more information, visit www.FFRF.org.