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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

 

July/August 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine

Click here to see the July/August 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine
.

In the Ezine you will find the following:

  • The 2021 National Day of Reason Mayday for Humanity Event a Huge Success!
  • National Day of Reason Mayday for Humanity Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Co-Sponsor Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Celebrity and Performer Photos
  • Mayday for Humanity Benefiting Organizations
  • An African Journey Story by Amaka Oguguo
  • Mormons or Christians – Who Are Better? by Herb Silverman
  • Announcing the 2021 Freethought Society Secular Student Alliance Scholarship
  • Freethought Society Multi-Month Zoom 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.

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.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

May/June 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine

Click here to see the May/June 2021 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine
.

In the Ezine you will find the following:

  • Freethought Society President Speaks at Freedom of Religion or Belief Committee Conference
  • Thomas Paine-Themed “Ask an Atheist” Show
  • Atheist or Agnostic? Does it Matter?
    by Herb Silverman
  • Learning About Baháʼí Religious Beliefs
    by Margaret Downey
  • The Journey Story of Representative Donald Sternoff Beyer, Jr.
    by Donald Sternoff Beyer
  • Defending Yourself from Misinformation via Neuroscience
    By Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
  • Dr. Robert E. Kay: His Life Remembered
    Obituary and Susan O’Connell’s Reflections
  • Freethought Society Four-Month Zoom 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.

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.

Check for upcoming events at the FS Meet Up page

Like FS on Facebook!

Follow FS on Twitter

The Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

July-August 2014 Freethought Society Newsletter

Click here to go directly to the pdf to read the July August 2014-Freethought Society Newsletter

In the pdf newsletter you will find the following articles: Continue reading: July-August 2014 Freethought Society Newsletter

Celebrate Thomas Paine Day in Philadelphia with FS and the AHA- June 8, 2014

On June 8, 1994, Philadelphia Mayor Edward Rendell signed the City Proclamation declaring that date as the first “Thomas Paine Day.” Read more about Thomas Paine on the Freethought Society’s Thomas Paine Memorial Committee page.

thomas-paineJoin us after the American Humanist Association conference for a special 20th Anniversary tour of Philadelphia honoring Thomas Paine. The conference ends at noon on Sunday, June 8, and the tour begins at 1:30 PM. Tour bus tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased by June 5th at: http://conference.americanhumanist.org/

Board a private double-decker tour bus to see twenty-one world-famous Philadelphia sites, including the Betsy Ross House, Love Park, the “Rocky Steps,” and much more, all narrated by an expert city guide. At one stop in Society Hill, Thomas Paine, portrayed by actor Stephen Gulick, will join the tour near the Common Sense historical marker.

There will be a 5:00 PM gathering near the statue of Robert Morris located at the site of the 4th and Walnut Streets amphitheater. Enjoy songs, speeches and entertainment commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Thomas Paine Day. Musician James Kloeh will perform followed by speakers Gary Berton (Thomas Paine Expert and FS presenter), Stephen Gulick (Actor), State Representative Mark Cohen, and more surprise guests.

Afterward, visit the City Tavern (6:30 PM) for a Dutch Treat Happy Hour and Dinner. The City Tavern is located at 138 South 2nd Street (at 2nd and Walnut Streets), Philadelphia, PA 19106. Contact event organizer Margaret Downey to make a dinner reservation by June 1, 2014. Email: Margaret@FtSociety.org   Phone: 610-793-2737.

FULL SCHEDULE:

  • Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel (1:00 PM); 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

A double-decker tour bus departs from the front of the hotel at 1:30 PM.

  •  Bus stops at the Sheraton at Dock Street and 2nd (3:00 PM)

Walking tour begins, to Thomas Paine Historical Common Sense Marker and Thomas Paine Place Philadelphia with photo opportunities with a Thomas Paine actor (Stephen Gulick). At 3:30 bus departs Sheraton to take some people to the next stop or back to the hotel.

  • Franklin Print Shop and Square (3:45 PM)  320 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

A behind the scenes tour of the print shop by Park Ranger and Thomas Paine expert, Joe Chauncy.

  •  At 4:45 PM the bus returns to the Franklin Print Shop and Square to pick up people needing transportation to the next stop.
  •  Amphitheater at 4th and Walnut (5:00 PM)

In front of Robert Morris statue Philadelphia attendees will be entertained by folk singer James Klueh after which speeches will be delivered by State Representative Mark Cohen and Thomas Paine Educator Gary Berton.

  • City Tavern (6:30 PM)  138 South 2nd Street at Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

Dutch Treat Dinner– Contact event organizer Margaret Downey to make a dinner reservation by June 1, 2014. Email: Margaret@FtSociety.org Phone: 610-793-2737.

A poster is available for your convenience and sharing:

ThomasPaineDay-poster-Final-2-web