Ron Reagan Jr

Ron Reagan Jr, Atheist

on January 30, 2019


The other night late on television there was a brief ad with President Reagan’s son touting the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRF), the “nation’s largest, most effective association of atheists and agnostics,” it boasts.

“I’m Ron Reagan, unabashed atheist,” he explained. “And I’m alarmed by the intrusion by religion into our secular government.” He urged keeping church and state separate “just as the Founding Fathers intended.” Then he signed off as a “lifelong atheist. Not afraid of burning in hell.”

Ten years ago Reagan Jr. got the annual “Emperor Has No Clothes Award” award from FRF and explained his life journey away from his parents’ Christianity, which apparently wasn’t fully lifelong but began in later childhood. He didn’t like spending much of every Sunday driving a half hour each way to two-hour worship services at Bel Air Presbyterian Church.

Reagan Jr. asked his father why church was necessary if God was everywhere, and his father avuncularly answered: “Well, you know, God says, wherever two or more shall gather, there shall I be.” Reagan Jr. was unimpressed by the answer. He also had unanswerable questions about the sequence of cavemen versus Adam and Eve. So at age 12 he announced to his father he didn’t believe in God and would no longer attend church. His father was surprised but didn’t argue, going to church with Nancy but without their son.

Later Reagan Sr. tried “quiet persuasion” at “some length” but failed to persuade his son about God or church. So he asked Bel Air Pastor Don Moomaw, a formidable former UCLA football player and large personality, to visit the Reagan home and persuade his son, also without success. Reagan Jr. has ever since been a firm atheist, ostensibly respecting others’ religious beliefs but opposing their political application.

“Religion may indeed inspire acts of great kindness and courage,” he told FRF in 2009. “But it also trains people to believe things for which there is no evidence. This makes religion’s intrusion into the political sphere all the more troubling.” He cited gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research, and President George W. Bush’s support for “torture” despite his religion.

Reagan Jr. expressed confidence that atheism would eventually prevail over religion:

Religions may persist, but they come and they go. Where are the old Norse gods today? Where are the worshippers of Amon-Ra today? A thousand years from now, what will people make of a man tortured to death on a cross, of a prophet who was said to ride a white horse up to a mythical heaven?

“Faith will fade, religions will flower and vanish, but reason remains,” Reagan Jr. concluded. “Reason is where I put my faith, if you will. Reason is where I stand, and I am happy to stand there with you.”

Apparently Reagan Jr.’s 2009 speech to FRF was a hit because he was invited back in 2015, rehashing earlier memories about rejecting church to his father, offering cartoonish caricatures about Bible stories, claiming religion never explains why evil exists, blaming belief in God for climate change denial, defending Planned Parenthood, and denouncing the “bigotry” of the small town county clerk in Kentucky who wouldn’t sanction same sex marriage.

Reagan Jr. didn’t confine his critique to Christianity and chided Islam for its “oppression” of women and for creating cultures in places like Saudi Arabia that are “not worth preserving” because they’re “repressive.”

How is “oppression” defined?” Reagan Jr. didn’t explain as presumably it’s self-evident. He insisted atheists aren’t just critics:

We believe in truth, we believe in beauty, we believe in a shared humanity. These are things worth fighting for. And don’t forsake the numinous and the transcendent either.

What is truth? Reagan Jr. like other atheists believes it’s based on reason alone. And he’s sort of an evangelist for this sort of reason, because apparently it’s important for everyone to know the truth, even though they are accidents of creation and destined to oblivion.

Reagan Jr.’s ad for FFR was made in 2014 but wasn’t accepted by most networks until 2017, arousing predictable controversy. His older stepbrother Michael Reagan denounced networks for airing the ad and insisted his father was “crying in heaven,” having once confided, after hearing Reagan Jr.’s atheism spiel at the dinner table, his hope that his atheist son would become a Christian.

The ad appropriately appears now late at night with loan sharks and psychics, selling a message that is negation, making claims that from its own perspective shouldn’t matter. Hopefully the father’s prayer some day will be answered.

  1. Comment by Jason on January 30, 2019 at 9:26 am

    Minor correction in that Michael and Ronald Jr. are *half* brothers not step brothers, Michael being adopted by Ronald Reagan and his first wife Jane Wyman.

  2. Comment by jackye on September 19, 2019 at 11:51 pm

    my response is simple so that people can actually spend time to read…..humanity is about every single person being recognized for their humanity and nothing else…pray to whomever u want and shut up beating others for being different

  3. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:09 am

    But this statement of yours begs the question, what makes us human? Our shared humanity did not arise on its own

  4. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:07 am

    Yours may not have. But, mine did, I so agree with Jackye.

  5. Comment by Erica Jan Johnston on March 19, 2020 at 11:58 pm

    No, Michael is his step brother. Michael is adopted so is not related to anyone in the family only by marriage.

  6. Comment by David on January 30, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    I would rather see the atheist ads between TV evangelists with their loud jackets, Plexiglas pulpits, and followers waving their arms in air.

  7. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    David, there are “bad apples”, in every bunch- even the church. Most of us, don’t follow the money hungry evangelists! I don’t, and neither my church. You should ignore them, and find a REAL BIBLE- BELIEVING CHURCH.

  8. Comment by Carol Anderson on October 27, 2019 at 10:35 pm

    A myth is totally manmade. Therefore atheism is a myth.

  9. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:10 am

    As christianity is a myth.

  10. Comment by William on January 30, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    The dude says he’s not afraid of burning in hell.

  11. Comment by Michael Moore on January 31, 2019 at 9:27 am

    The fool has said in his heart, “No God”.

  12. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    So, he asks how does the Bible explain evil. When I looked at the evil in life, I was drawn to the Bible! We are born sinners. We have to teach a child, NOT TO LIE. The lying comes naturally. The early days, were evil, and we are just as evil now! Who can save me from this wretched sinner, that I am? Only Jesus. Christianity is different, in that it recognizes all men are evil, and can’t “work” their way into heaven. It is a gift, given by the only sinless man to live, Jesus Christ!

  13. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 15, 2020 at 11:47 pm

    Flavio,

    go outside. Look into the sky. take deep breaths. Forget all you have been taught. If there is a god, he gave you a brain, please use it.

  14. Comment by Mary on January 30, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    I saw your ad on TV bragging about being an atheist and not being afraid of going to hell. When you get there, see if you say that between the weeping & gnashing of teeth. Lord have mercy on you.

  15. Comment by Brian Westley on February 2, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    So, you worship a god that inflicts eternal torment on people for having a mistaken opinion?

  16. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:13 am

    No one who is in hell, is there because they had a mistaken opinion; all who are there, find themselves so, because of their deliberate rejection of the living God, who has clearly revealed Himself to everyone.

  17. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:27 am

    He has yet revealed himself to me.

  18. Comment by Acalie on March 15, 2020 at 10:14 pm

    I just saw the commercial so dad he looks so empty and when he says he’s not afraid to go to hell I pray he sees the light soon he looks pretty old I pray for h to find his way before it’s to late in Jesus name Amen

  19. Comment by Ginger Haycox on March 7, 2019 at 8:34 am

    Obviously you don’t get it?

  20. Comment by clearwaterguy on March 8, 2019 at 12:31 am

    Oh please your feeble attempts to terrorize people into believing in some bronze age fairy tale! you are the one who will be surprised!

  21. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:16 am

    We do not follow cleverly devised fairy tales; we follow the Risen Christ. The Resurrection did not happen in a corner.

  22. Comment by Tom on October 16, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    Now that’s amazing you figured out it happened during the Bronze Age. Will wonders ever seise.

  23. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 3:32 pm

    Tom, so much anger? Why? There will be some of mankind, separated forever from God. So sad, because God is love! Sometimes, tho love is tough, tough love. God has poured his mercy out, on His church, and Jesus will return one day to claim it. The thing is, this time, Jesus won’t return, as a baby in a manger. This next time he will be a warrior, on a stead, finally ending all the evil in our lives! What rejoicing and joy, we will have in that. Some, tho won’t find it. Sad. I’ll pray God opens your heart, to that!

  24. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:24 am

    Tom,
    seice???? If you are going to debate intelligently, please spell correctly. Cease.

  25. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:16 am

    not nice clearwaterguy. Please respect others beliefs.

  26. Comment by Jack on March 16, 2020 at 12:01 am

    Really? When each of the Godists are denigrating the belief of Atheists by proselytizing to him? Why does one side of a debate need a set of rules that the other side doesn’t follow?

  27. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 15, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    weeping and gnashing of teeth????? I’m so sorry you were mislead. Again, use your brain. please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  28. Comment by Anne K. on January 31, 2019 at 12:23 am

    Some people never outgrow rebelling against their parents. Pathetic. I feel sorry for him.

  29. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    Anne, So very true! And ruin their lives, in the process. He could also be “mad at God”, because his wife died of some neuromuscular disease. Death awaits us all. We are blessed in America, some in Africa don’t make it to one yrs old!

  30. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 15, 2020 at 11:56 pm

    speaking of Africa. Do you know Jesuits held slaves. Then needed money and sold them to the Catholics. If these are god fearing people, I’ll take a serious pass. True, google it.

  31. Comment by Bill Williams on January 31, 2019 at 11:22 am

    God and he’ll are like gravity you still fall if you don’t believe

  32. Comment by Marco Bell on January 31, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    And you may fall (to Hell), even if you DO believe.
    What does it really matter if there is, or isn’t, a “Heaven” or “Hell”?

  33. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:18 am

    No one who believes in Christ for salvation can ever “fall” to hell. Likewise, no one who denies the Son of God can ever ascend to heaven.

  34. Comment by Ernest on December 31, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    Your comment it’s more closely related to John Calvin than it’s to the Christ of the Gospel; specially Matthew’s Gospel. In that Gospel Jesus is pretty clear in saying that God the Father will be merciful to you as you were merciful to others. If we’re not merciful to others we are fooling ourselves.

  35. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:51 am

    As scripture tells, I believe god denied his son. Let him die on a cross. I’m confused.

  36. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    Salvation is by faith, and that very faith is from God.

  37. Comment by Fran on January 31, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    Why do you think there is some doubt about the oppression of women in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, so that you have to put scare quotes around the word? Women are required to have a male escort when leaving home. Women finally can drive, but the women who led protests for that right were arrested. And I don’t see where you refuted any of Ron Reagan, Jr.’s arguments.

  38. Comment by Brian Westley on February 2, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    Plus, a bit more to the point, Saudi Arabia has the death penalty for being an atheist.

  39. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:32 pm

    Fran, Islam is killing and abusing women, and homosexuals. It’s fact, not scare tactics.

  40. Comment by Joseph Scott on October 23, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    Tell that to Mr. Tooley; he’s the one who put the quotation marks around the word oppression. He’s the one attempting to cast doubt on the statement.

  41. Comment by Woody Hingle on January 31, 2019 at 3:34 pm

    Ron, Jr. believes in truth, beauty, and a shared humanity– all commendable. The problem is that his atheistic worldview — which asserts that our brains are the product of an unguided, random, purposeless process, much like leaves scattered under a tree– provides no foundation to trust what our brains tell us is true, beautiful, or exist outside of ourselves. As often happens, atheists smuggle the benefits of God in the back door while asserting a worldview without meaning.

  42. Comment by Ruth on January 31, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    To me, atheism is a profound display of sheer egotism. Who are you to declare there is no God? At least be an agnostic and leave some room for doubt. Alas for Ron, faith itself is a gift from God. Recent science studies even indicate that people who have faith have a whole area of brain cells activated that those without faith lack. Poor Ronnie got short-changed at birth. I pray for his Damascus moment.

  43. Comment by Brian on February 1, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Wouldn’t it be more ‘egotist’ to assert that there is a god, that you know his teachings, and that those who do not believe as you will be damned to hell? (Not saying you personally do)

    Not having an affirmative belief in god makes one an atheist. Theism is about belief, not knowledge.

  44. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:23 am

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom [and knowledge]. God has revealed Himself plainly through creation itself, our conscience, the Scriptures, and finally Jesus Christ Himself, who rose from the dead. Presumption and arrogance are the hallmarks of those who deny God, not those who assert His revealed truth.

  45. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:08 am

    Fear of the lord??? Yes, I want to find peace is a lord I fear.

  46. Comment by Reg on February 3, 2019 at 6:34 am

    Atheism is a profound display of sheer egotism. Who are you to declare there is no God.????

    Atheism is a lack of belief in (any) god, not just your God. I am an atheist towards the Christian God just as you, Ruth, are an atheist towards the Indian God, Brahma. I am not declaring or denying that there is no God. I just do not believe it.

    You are the one claiming to be able to communicate with the Creator of the Universe when you pray for “poor Ronnie”. How very humble of you.

  47. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:28 am

    There IS only one God. Atheism is unsustainable, because it asserts that there is no God (a premise which a person would need to be omniscient to be able to make). If you did possess all knowledge, then YOU would be God (which obviously, you are not).

  48. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:10 am

    Nor, are you. Has he appointed you to speak for him.

  49. Comment by Jack on March 16, 2020 at 12:17 am

    Prove to me right now that there is a god. Any god. Yahweh. Jesus. Odin. Any… Show an artifact that he created (and not some scripture written by man). Godists know nothing more than Atheists do in regard to the actuality of a divine being. It’s all belief until one dies and sees if/if not.

    Now, 12 years ago I ‘died’ twice in one day. Heart stopped twice from a significant case of bacterial meningitis. Once for 4 minutes and a second time in a Mayo Clinic ER for 12 minutes. No bright light to follow. No vision of heaven (or hell). Nothing aside from a vent for 6 days and a broken rib from compressions. But I lived, without my hearing and losing sight in one eye.

    I was a believer and a special education teacher who helped students with disabilities every day. I still do the latter when able. I will never doubt there is no god again.

  50. Comment by Conway Morphis on January 31, 2019 at 7:21 pm

    My prayer for you Ron, Jr. is to just ask yourself “What If?”

  51. Comment by Joe M on January 31, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    He looks just like his parents. It must be a challenging legacy with which to live.

  52. Comment by Rebecca on January 31, 2019 at 10:57 pm

    He has another problem besides being an atheist which is the main reason he is an atheist… So many people today think reason is all there is to intelligence. But, Judgment is a huge part, along with imagination, and memory. All 4 are used in Christian thought, not just the one.

  53. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 1:57 am

    what ??????????????

  54. Comment by Bob G. on February 1, 2019 at 8:54 am

    “Hopefully the father’s prayer some day will be answered.” Why? Ron seems happy and well adjusted. He doesn’t waste time doing non productive things like sitting thru 2 hours church. He’s living what appears to be a good life. Just like I am. No church, no need to be told who to treat badly and who to be nice to, no telling me how to spend my money and who to vote for (yes, churches do that on the DL).

    Life is good.

  55. Comment by Gigi on February 3, 2019 at 1:11 am

    That’s weird. I’ve been a believer all my life and I’ve never once in church heard someone — a pastor, teacher, etc. — tell us “who to treat badly.” As for voting, well, sure, I’ve heard suggestions. But, you can look on any website, conservative or liberal and they tell you how to vote. The media tells you how to vote. Teachers unions tell you how to vote (it happened here in Texas). Opinion writers tell you how to vote. That’s everywhere. I find it a little odd that the one place where we go for moral instruction should be singled out as a place where we wouldn’t want some guidance. But I’ve observed churches on both sides of the political spectrum for years making suggestions. And people are free to hear, think about the advice, and then make up their own minds. No need to get fussy about it.

  56. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:36 am

    “This very night your soul will be required of you.” Look that up in the Bible. A man’s life does not consist in his possessions [nor the good works he may do]. These comprise some of the trappings and circumstances of earthly life, but there are far greater issues that demand an answer: Where do I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? How shall I live? These apply to you and your comfortable life. When you die, it’s not over; eternity will begin. What about that?

  57. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    Church doesn’t tell us “who to treat good and bad”. Church doesn’t even tell us who to vote for. In fact, we pray for WHOEVER IS IN OFFICE! We have fun, at church, as well as serious worship, and we support each other in all situations. I don’t know where you went to church, but it’s nothing like the one I go to! Oh….and atheism is a religion, too! I’ll pray for you, because “life might be good,” but no ones life is always good. And EVERYONES life eventually ends.

  58. Comment by Tony on October 25, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    God has his ways to prove himself, God neaver loses. All athiest will have choice before death.

  59. Comment by MamaVia on February 1, 2019 at 8:15 pm

    Don’t I remember something from the Bible that says (More or less) “Remove the log from your own eye before removing the sliver in someone else’s eye?” Only God knows “a True Christian”; I’d bet it’s not necessarily the loudmouth guy in the 2K$ Suit & Alligator Shoes, who drives a Caddy, but the little girl, lost in the Sonoran Desert grasping to a picture of Jesús & one of the saints;she’s praying,for her Mama to return..to find her & bring her water…as each second ticks, as each minute passes…and silently runs into the next, the evening becomes darker and cooler…she has no sweater to keep her warm or to put under her head, she hears the songs of the coyoytes begin far away…she presses the picture she holds in her hand to her chest…and puts all of her faith into her prayer to Him…

  60. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:20 pm

    Yes, so much sadness, in this world. Which is one thing that bought me to Christ! I knew this could not be “it”! There had to be more. Life was too unfair. Life was too short. And the Bible answered those questions for me. See…..this isn’t “it”. The Bible says that in eternity, the last will be first, and the first (here on Earth) will be last! In other words, things will be made “fair”! Not only fair, but amazingly beautiful and full of the majesty and wonder of God! This life is over in no time. We (some of us) work at careers, buy a home, try and establish ourselves, and then- RETIRE! What comes next? That’s the question we should have allready asked ourselves! Our whole purpose in life is to worship God, and enjoy him forever! That poor little girl your post talked about, God will take care of her. He created her. We all have tribulation in this life, some more than others! I look forward to being with Christ, where the first will be last, and the last first!

  61. Comment by John McDermott on February 2, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    If he believes in reason, he ought to identify whose reason he believes in. It is a bit paradoxical at the least to say that one believes in reason. Isn’t reason clear enough on its own? Or is it? Certainly the post-modern thinkers, heirs of the Enlightenment, don’t believe in reason. Once they deny an absolute — only God can be the real absolute — everything is revealed as relative, and all statements are relativized. Truth is denied to us. It is only the carrot held out in front of the dumb donkey running after it. The search for truth becomes a wild-goose chase with frustration at the end (death). And look at the conundrums of science: How can the speed of light be an absolute, as Einstein thought? If it is absolute, how can it be measured? If it can’t be measured, it is useless for science. It can’t function as a norm for anything. Actually Einstein presupposed Newtonian coordinates of infinite space and infinite time in order to measure light’s speed before he rejected Newton’s understanding of space and time by proposing a 4-dimentional space-time continuum. If the universe is finite, what is beyond it? If it is infinite, how can it be known insofar as each thing in it affects every other thing? On the microphysical level, are electrons waves (continuous) or particles (discontinuous)? For Heisenberg space is discontinuous and diverse from time. How does that accord with Einstein’s continuum? The philosophical problem of uniting the infinite (absolute) with the finite (relative ) has remained unresolved from the beginning (Heraclitus and Parmenides). The same problem of oneness (continuity) and multiplicity (discontinuity) appears also in moral questions. When does human life begin? Is a baby in the womb one with the mother as a part or different? Does every man have to treat every woman as he treats his wife? Vice-versa for women? Are we all the same (equal) or different (unequal)? It depends on your viewpoint. Women want to be treated the same as men, but they don’t want to play on the same basketball court as men. They want a league of their own. Christianity at least acknowledges the mystery and claims that it has been manifest in Jesus Christ, God and man. The ultimate meaning of reality is found not in man’s mind but in love which demands simultaneously concrete commitment to a finite person and limitless, i.e., unconditional adherence, a mystery which only can be upheld in God. For love joins most closely while insisting on the diversity of lover and beloved.

  62. Comment by Gene H on February 11, 2019 at 8:29 pm

    It all boils down to faith. Reason does not supply a definite answer, although it does carry us a long way towards searching for hopeful answers. I guess it comes down to … “if we are wrong, then what have we lost? But if we’r’e right, then we’ve gained what we have been placed on earth for.” I”m keepen’ the FAITH.

  63. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:49 am

    I would add, that faith itself is only as meaningful and practical as the object of that faith. Atheists assert that faith is believing in something for which there is no evidence. Were it so, such faith would be meaningless, mere wishful thinking. In the case of the Christian’s faith, such a person is placing their “trust in, confident reliance upon” a valid object– Jesus Christ, for whom, there is overwhelming positive evidence of His life, death, and resurrection. The Christian’s faith is based on reason and intelligence, and is substantiated by personal experience and connection to God Himself through Christ.

  64. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:22 am

    overwhelming, positive evidence ?????

  65. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 2:08 am

    hey Gene,

    you’re covered. Good move.

  66. Comment by janice oconners on February 18, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    i believe we are all forgetting something God gave us the freedom of free choice. to believe in him or not. i agree with some of what mr. Reagan said in his political opinion infact im a firm believer of the separation of chruch and state. both need to stay out of each others business . i wonder if his lack of belief in God is maybe because like so many including my own children they expect something grand from God to prove that he is real or not. reason is good and so is intelligences . but walking around with your eyes close to the wonders in this world, is sad. im very stronge believer in God but i also have no argument against the theory of evolution . go figure. i accept that my children have the right according to God to believe in him or not. just as mr. Reagan has. i would love to ask him to talk or interact with me because belief and faith doesn’t have to be complicating or difficult . wonders of this world were created by somebody or the help of somebody so why can’t it be God. but his comment that he is willing to go to hell to me means a part of him still has faith. i thought true atheist dont believe in heaven or hell. as for his brothers comment shame on his brother . family is family no matter what .

  67. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 11:58 am

    In the end, all those who belong to heaven will be there, and all those who deny God will be in hell, where they too belong. No one in heaven will be troubled (much less tormented) by the fact that members of their immediate family on earth are not with them in heaven. However, those in hell will forever be tormented by the fact that their family members are in heaven while they can never be.

  68. Comment by Ronald on March 24, 2019 at 10:01 am

    I’ve struggled with believing in or not believing in God, or even agnosticism for various reasons over the last 10+ years. My disbelief crept in slowly when my innocent and good 16 year old son was taken from this world by gun violence in 2007

  69. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    We live in a fallen world, and evil is all around us. Murder surely hurts. But it is the very fact that there IS a God — that God exists — that allows any one of us to define evil, to call murder evil.

  70. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    So sorry, you lost your son. The fact that we are all going to die, eventually; the fact that this world is covered in death, is one thing that bought me to Christ. I knew this couldn’t be “it”. There had to be more! Then, I looked at the evil in this world, and wondered how can it be! The Bible is the only thing that made sense to me. So very sad, you lost your son. I couldn’t have kids. The only thing I ever wanted, in life and I couldn’t have them- children! Why was I here? Why was the world so full of evil? My eyes were opened, as I read scripture. We are all sinners, in need of a Saviour, and Jesusis that Saviour! My loss, at not being able to get pregnant, made me realize that the end of this life comes so fast, and really isn’t the end. Our time on earth is short.I lost my mom at 21, my twin brother at 30. More recently, my little brother at 60. God has a plan for me. I married a man, with twin boys, and became their mom. They have grown up, tho. They’ve left home, and my life has changed again! In heaven , there won’t be all these changes, because we won’t live in time, and we will be eternal! I pray God gives you mercy and grace. We all face death, in this world. We can do it with Jesus, or without him. Peace to you.

  71. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:28 am

    Ronald,
    I am so very sorry for your loss. Those with religion believe god has his reasons. Life is just a stepping stone on to the next. Your son is always with you.

  72. Comment by Rick Jackson. on June 3, 2019 at 1:50 am

    I would like to donate to your organization. Please tell me the address to send a check to.

  73. Comment by Jeffrey Walton on June 3, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    Donations can be made by clicking the large, blue “donate” button on the right side of the page, or you may mail a check to: The Institute on Religion & Democracy
    1023 15th Street NW, Suite 200
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  74. Comment by Mark Tomasi on September 9, 2019 at 11:50 pm

    Don’t forget the rest of the zip code, I believe it is -666

  75. Comment by Jack on March 16, 2020 at 12:28 am

    LOL!

  76. Comment by Rose Pruitt on August 29, 2019 at 11:15 pm

    Mr. Reagan,
    I do not believe, if there is a God, that he cares of you believe, one way or another. Only you live the best You, you can be. We can not affect one way or another, what, who or the divinity of GOD. Find what ever solace you can find in this life we have to live, and be the best, caring, loving person you can be. If there is a God, he doesn’t care if you know him, but rather if you know or have compassion of your fellow man. I know many atheists, who have more compassion for their fellow man. As well as many Christians, who do not.

  77. Comment by Mike on October 16, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    There is a God, and as surely as He lives, He absolutely DOES care about your relationship with Him. It is VITALLY important that you understand this. The Bible makes it very clear that God has reached out to man in many different ways, and that He is our Creator and Redeemer. He has made the ultimate sacrifice for us, in sending His only begotten Son to die for us, taking our sins upon Himself on the cross, that we might be saved from everlasting punishment in hell. In light of all that, to say that He doesn’t care if we know Him or not, is not only absurd, it is tragic and eternally FATAL. This is real life, followed by the higher reality of eternity in the spiritual realm. To know God, and believe on His Son Jesus Christ for salvation, is to have your sins forgiven, and receive the gift of eternal life, living forever in heaven with God. To ignore or deny God, is to remain in your lost and sinful condition, and die in your sins, and spend eternity apart from God, in hell.

  78. Comment by Ann on January 27, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    Amen

  79. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:36 am

    This has always been an issue with me. God sent his son, then allowed him to die on the cross for our sins???? This is a god I should pray to??? Father, why has thy forsaken me??

  80. Comment by Joni on October 20, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    Rose, so sad, that you don’t know God. Our only purpose in life is to worship God, and enjoy him forever. When a person does that God works thru him, compassion for his fellow man, or woman. Christians aren’t perfect, at “caring for fellow humans”. Neither is anyone else! We are being made into “new creations”, tho that will one day, live in perfection, with Christ, and know what genuine, real love for others really is! What a glorious time, that will be! Until then, we worship, pray, repent, and daily ask God to equip us for good works……still falling short sometimes. Peace, to you. I pray your eyes be opened to the wonder, beauty, grace and love God has bestowed on all of us- who believe.

  81. Comment by Inez Evans on October 15, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    The only response to all of your remarks is that I will pray for u. I cannot judge u, only God can do this. However, if u are blaming God for your son’s death, please pray and ask God to forgive you.

  82. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:43 am

    How insensitive and uncaring. Please look at your response. This person has lost their son. Oh my……………

  83. Comment by Tom on October 16, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    What a hypocrite Ron Jr. Is. He spends his time trying to persuade people to think like he thinks and believe what he believes (his unabashed liberalism), but belittles Christians who try to convince people to reasonably consider the claims of Christianity. He knows very little about the Bible he vehemently hates. Why doesn’t he arrange a debate against a knowledgeable Christian apologist like William Lane Craig, John Lennox, Greg Koukl (Stand To Reason) if he is so arrogant and confident? I’m sure anyone of them or many others would be happy to debate him.

  84. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:46 am

    And do you not try to make people believe an think how you do?

  85. Comment by Mikey on October 17, 2019 at 9:14 am

    Generally, it might be argued that one cannot prove or disprove God’s existence by reason alone. However, consider this:

    When I look up at the stars a night, I like to believe that there is an intelligence there with whom I can interact — rather than a cold nothingness that leaves me alone in a meaningless universe.

    If I choose to not believe in God and eternal life, then life will carry less meaning for me, I will worry about my limited existence and the unfairness of life. If I am wrong, then when I die, I will have done all that worrying for nothing; or perhaps be in for an unpleasant awakening – depending on how I’ve lived.

    On the other hand, if I choose to believe and follow, then life will have more meaning for me. I will be more fulfilled. If when I die, I was wrong, then I will just die happy as a clam and not know the difference.

    So, logically, it makes more sense to choose to be a believer in God and eternal life, than to embrace an existential reality of mankind alone against a cold and cruel universe.

  86. Comment by Anna Cook on October 18, 2019 at 2:47 pm

    What is truth? Reagan Jr. believes it’s based on reason alone.
    REASON is not TRUTH!
    Everyone has their own reason, but that doesn’t make it TRUTH.

  87. Comment by Alta Smith on October 20, 2019 at 6:53 am

    Really Tooley? Get out of the dark ages. Religion of any sort is to control people and make money. That is it. As far as Christianity, I have found more dishonest people in the pews than on the streets. Look at all the humans killed in the name of religion. Religious people disgust me.

  88. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:50 am

    Hey Alta,

    I may not agree with what many have said, but have some respect for others beliefs. You are very obnoxious.

  89. Comment by Phillip Noonan on October 20, 2019 at 10:04 am

    Ron, God says to ” Taste of him and see that he is Good”. Question Him, Ask Him, Argue with Him, in a sincere way. We were made in His Image, it’s OK to do this, and he will reveal Himself to you. I cannot explain how, but you will “See”!

  90. Comment by Jude Mclein on December 27, 2019 at 12:26 am

    I’ve read all the comments and am disheartened, but not surprised. We have all been brainwashed for so many years, many can’t help but succumb to what was forced upon us. I also, am an atheist. I respect your beliefs and would only ask that you respect mine. And, I’m sure I will not see any of you in hell. I’m also sorry that so many of you think that could be your destination.

  91. Comment by Flavio on January 15, 2020 at 1:02 am

    The problem of being an atheist is that you pollute the world with blasphemy that there is no God and corrupt other minds in believing there is no God ruining souls and ultimately sending innocent souls to hell. You are working with devil when you claim there is no God. All you atheist should open the Bible and read it’s history and all the miracles that happened in it. You atheist talk about facts first but the universe and life is much more mysterious then facts it can’t be explained. Have you ever deeply prayed and asked God with Jesus in your heart for help and in the middle of the prayer you feel a warmth in your soul that everything is going to be ok and your prayer is being heard by God o’l mighty himself. Christianity and the love of Christ is real and Christ came to save us from eternal damnation from the devil. When you say I don’t believe in God and God does not exist it strikes God in the heart. Jesus his son hide to be tortured for us in order for us to be saved. When your claiming and telling the world there is no God and fooling others is like a virus killing off Christianity.

  92. Comment by Jude Mclein on February 16, 2020 at 12:58 am

    omg, I’m polluting???? Please look, very hard in the mirror. Please understand, many of us have used our intelligence, yet, we respect your views. Please respect ours.

  93. Comment by Jack on March 16, 2020 at 12:40 am

    Flavio, your god expressly states that you shall not judge others lest you be judged. Your comments are very judgmental and deprecating towards those who do not believe in your brand of faith. You are the reason so many people are turned away from religion. Your bible (if you have read it) clearly instructs that you are no better than your fellow man. Regardless of what he/she may believe…

  94. Comment by Joe on March 25, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    I am sad to hear about your point of view. However, in your closing comment, to imply that hell exists is interesting. A genuine atheist confesses there is no God, and therefore no after life, right? When a person dies, that is the end of existence for him or her. I would prefer to align with truth rather than suppress the truth!

  95. Comment by Bob on May 28, 2020 at 1:17 am

    What tests my faith and what no one has ever been able to truly answer for me is this: Ok, man has free will. But doesn’t God also have the power to intervene, if he wishes to ? Why would he let six million innocent men, women and children perish in the Holocaust ? Or all those people who were basically forced to commit suicide in the Jonestown massacre ? Or the Manson murders ? Christianity always teaches that God/Jesus watches over you. Why didn’t he watch over those people ?

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