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Thomas Paine Birthday Celebration

Zoom Event

  • Saturday: January 29, 2022
    1 pm (PST) / 4 pm (EST)
    Zoom event

On Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 1:00 PM (PST)/4:00 PM (EST), hundreds of people will gather on Zoom to celebrate the birthdate of an often-forgotten Founding Father, Thomas Paine. Hailed as “Freethought Hero,” and great patriot, the January 29th event will be, as far as we know, the very first Zoom celebration of his birth. Zoom connections will be made from all over the world and everyone will be invited to deliver a toast in celebration of the life and work of this amazing champion of reason, independent thought, and revolutionary ideas. 

The event is presented by the newly-formed Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA), a 501(c)3 organization, with the purpose of educating the public and installing statues of Thomas Paine in Washington, DC and other places of significance to the life of Thomas Paine. 

The American Humanist Association, Center for Inquiry, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Freethought Society, the Stiefel Freethought Foundation, and the Thomas Paine National Historical Association are cosponsors.  

During the Thomas Paine Birthdate Celebration, the Stiefel Freethought Foundation (SFF) is pleased to offer an opportunity to TRIPLE any donation that is received. A $17.76 donation will be matched to become $53.28, and a $1,776 donation becomes $5,328! An opportunity such as this should not be missed. To triple your money, donate at: https://thomaspainememorial.org/donation/

Todd Stiefel will open the program with a few words about his triple-match offer and why the statue project is important.

TPMA board members, including John de Lancie, Julia Sweeney, Gary Berton, Ann Druyan, Marnie Mosiman de Lancie, Christopher Cameron, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Tom Legg, and Robyn Blumner will welcome everyone to the event.

Actor Ian Ruskin will speak about his experiences portraying Thomas Paine. He will share photos of appearances and will include an overview of his “Walk in the Footsteps of Thomas Paine” tour that took place in England. 

TPMA president Margaret Downey will be talking about the many Thomas Paine-themed activities she has sponsored, including her “Walk in the Footsteps of Thomas Paine” that took place in Paris, France. 

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis will join the festivities from his studio in Glenside, Pennsylvania. 

Closing remarks will be delivered by Congressman Jamie Raskin.      

Educator, songwriter, and recording artist James Klueh will perform two Thomas Paine-themed songs prior to the interactive social hour. 

Please visit the link below to register for this exciting international event:

 https://bit.ly/ThomasPaineBirthdayCelebration

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThomasPaineMA/

                 https://www.facebook.com/events/388572166363307/?active_tab=discussion

Thomas Paine Birthday Event

 

2021 Thomas Paine Day Event

Please join the Freethought Society (FS), the Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA), the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), the Center for Inquiry (CFI), and the American Humanist Association (AHA) as we celebrate the 2021 Thomas Paine Day via Zoom on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Register at the below link
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OAX2WWk3S0CpEVO_i4n5yw

The program begins at 3:45 PM PST/6:45 PM EST with a 15-minute Thomas Paine-themed concert by songwriter and recording artist James Klueh. BYOB to participate in toasts throughout the event. Melissa Myers (representing CFI) and Margaret Downey (representing FS) are the event co-hosts.

After an introductory statement from Congressman Jamie Raskin, co-sponsor organizations will welcome everyone to the event (Annie Laurie Gaylor, Robyn Blumner, Mandisa Thomas, Gary Berton and Margaret Downey). A summary of the life and work of Thomas Paine will be presented in sections by co-sponsor representatives:

Mandisa Thomas (AHA)
Tom Flynn (CFI)
Andrew Seidel (FFRF)
Margaret Downey (FS)
Gary Berton (TPNHA)

Sculptor Zenos Frudakis will show the progress of the Thomas Paine statue project and Dan Barker, co-president of FFRF, will perform his original song The World is My Country. After a short break a question-and-answer portion of the event will begin. Toasts and favorite Paine quotations are welcome

May-June 2019 Freethought Society eZine Newsletter

Click here to see the May-June 2019 eZine Newsletter.

In the Ezine you will find the following articles:

  • The 2019 Secular Leadership Summit by Margaret Downey
  • The 2019 Secular Leadership Summit Photos
  • The Southern California Secular Leadership Summit by Margaret Downey
  • 2019 California Secular Leadership Summit Photos
  • The 2019 West Chester University Voter Registration
  • The 2019 Haverford College Voter Registration
  • The Freethought Society and Haverford Freethinkers Celebrate Women’s History Month
  • United Nations Committee for Freedom of Religion or Belief Report by Alan Gold
  • Vive le Thomas Paine! by Buck Bowen
  • Freethought Society eScrip Information
  • Announcement of the Grand Reopening of the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York
  • Donation and Information Page

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible! If the Ezine inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number and mailing address.

Join Us

Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations.

We want supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to participate in the FS Discussion List.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page.

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter.

The Revolutionary War and the Great Patriot Thomas Paine

The Freethought Society has arranged for a special tour of the Museum of the American Revolution at a discounted rate on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The group rate tickets can only be purchased in advance through the Eventbrite link below.

The price for the tour is only $14 and includes a one-hour guided tour of the museum highlights. The tour starts promptly at 10:00 AM. The museum is located at: 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia pa

A parking garage is conveniently located on 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets.

Participants can add more fun to their day by enjoying lunch at The City Tavern (138 South 2nd Street) designed to appeal to Thomas Paine enthusiasts.

The pre-ticketed luncheon starts at Noon and will include speakers Gary Berton (Thomas Paine historian) and sculptor, Zenos Frudakis. Thomas Paine (portrayed by Julien Musolino) and Madame Marguerite de Bonneville (portrayed by Margaret Downey) will welcome everyone to a private dining room at The City Tavern, which was the site of the George Washington pre-inaugural ball.

The price of the luncheon is only $40 and includes tax and gratuities. Choose between Salmon or Turkey Pot Pie for the first course and soup or salad for the second course. Meals includes fresh baked breads, dessert, coffee and/or hot tea. Vegetarian options are available.

After lunch, the party atmosphere will continue with a mini-walking tour, where participants will see many sites and items related to Thomas Paine.

Please visit the Eventbrite link below to make a reservation and to pre-pay for your tour and/or luncheon tickets. Tour reservations and seating for the luncheon are limited. Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/museum-of-american-revolution-tour-and-lunch-with-freethought-society-tickets-55928245889

Complimentary gifts for all participants include a Thomas Paine hand fan and a stress ball embossed with a Thomas Paine quotation.

March April 2019 eZine Newsletter

Freethought Society Newsletter

Click here to see the March April 2019 eZine Newsletter.

In the Ezine you will find the following articles:

  • Scouts for Equality’s Outreach to The Freethought Society by Justin Wilson
  • Making Our Voices Heard by Marjorie Goldman
  • Very Long-Distance Support by Christina Jones
  • The Bones of Thomas Paine by Kenneth E. Nahigian
  • The Freethought Society and Haverford Freethinkers Celebrate Women’s History Month
  • The Freethought Society’s 2019 Two-Month Activities Calendar
  • Donation and Information Page

We hope that you will remain or become an active supporter of the great work FS is doing. Please donate to the general fund or select a project you want to help sponsor. All donations to FS are tax-deductible! If the Ezine inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number and mailing address.

Join Us

Special events are being planned in your area so don’t miss an opportunity to participate further. All personal information is confidential and will not be shared with other organizations.

We want supporters to stay informed at all times. To keep updated about events, meetings and issues, please sign up to participate in the FS Discussion List.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page.

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter.