Great to hear you stood up and spoke out, and thanks for the compliment on my commentary. You seem to know more about Reagan's history than I (the main thing I recall is that horrid Meese Commission), so I'll defer to you on that point for now. The primary thing I'm concerned with is verifying that he said this, whether he meant it or not, because it is so much more powerful when you can have someone on the other side refute themselves or their compatriots.

@Rossy92 In the thick of my early Atheist activism years… Madalyn O’Hair (my Shero) and her First Family of Atheism were battling Reagan Admin. initiatives and decrees full time.. Even Reagan’s wife, Nancy, considered the religious element he was courting to be toxic. Yet he ushered them in … seemed those ‘prayer breakfasts’ were begun by him.

What gets me these days ..is when confronted by the words of their predecessors, like Nixon, Reagan, Bush daddy, and the occasional coherent or just utteration from Bush junior -- ‘modern Republicans’ scoff ...as they’ve morphed into scorched-earth fanatics..

My encounter with the school district was stressful, but contrary to my fears, earned me more credit than disapproval … as I eventually went to work within the district. Often, righteous feelings are shared by more than we realize

If one wants any verification of what he said or did ask his son Ronald Jr. He gave a speech in a FFRF convention and said he decided to no longer attend church. His dad was okay with that and didn't force him. Remember Ronald Jr. An avowed atheist and not afraid of burning in hell.

@JackPedigo Since rediscovering this quote today, I've become curious about when Ron Jr's non-belief became known to his parents.

@Rossy92 From his speech at the FFRF convention in Seattle (he is a DJ there) in 2009 his not wanting to go to church was a hint. I don't remember if he was more specific.

He certainly was NOT as enlightened on too many issues.

@Rossy92 I did a doubletake to see who was credited as Ron Reagan (Jr?) is known for more forward thinking and might easily say such a thing. (;

@Zster I was thinking that perhaps having a son who is now an atheist played a role, and that knowing someone closely who is of such persuasion helps to enlighten a person. And then I wondered that Trump must surely know many of the non-believing persuasion, being from up north and having traveled in sophisticated circles and all, before slapping myself and recognizing that for him, it's all about political maneuvering and political expedience.

@Rossy92 Very true. Religion makes a great tool for the tools/manipulators of this world.