Celebrating the Tree of Knowledge on December 1, 2019

By Patti Butcheck, on November 11th, 2019%

The 2019 Philadelphia Tree of Knowledge (ToK) will be installed and decorated on Sunday, December 1, 2019 in the lobby of the Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

The installation ceremony begins at 11:00 AM with a presentation by Hugh Taft-Morales, who is the Philadelphia Ethical Society Leader. The title of his presentation is “The Hidden Joy of Serving: Appreciating Their Story.” Taft-Morales will talk about the importance of listening to the stories of the people we volunteer to serve.

Freethought Society (FS) founder and president, Margaret Downey will create ornaments on-site for anyone who brings two color copies of the front cover of their favorite book.

This event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring two color copies of the front cover of their favorite book.

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November December 2019 Freethought Society (FS) Ezine

By Patti Butcheck, on October 29th, 2019%

Click here to see the November_December-2019-Ezine-web
Freethought Society (FS) Ezine.

In the Ezine you will find the following:

Another Successful DragonCon Parade for Skeptics
by Margaret Downey
Photos of the 2019 DragonCon Skeptics Parade
Second Photo Page of the 2019 Skeptics Parade Entry
Third Photo Page of the 2019 Skeptics Parade Entry
Skeptic Zone Interview of the Freethought Society President
by The Freethought Society Editorial Board
Get to Know Bailey Harris
by Margaret Downey
Secular Coalition for America’s Lobby Day 2019
by Herb Silverman
Help for People Leaving Their Religion
by The Freethought Society Editorial Board
A Thomas Paine Statue: Formal Announcement
Tree of Knowledge November and December Events
by The Freethought Society Editorial Board

Truth Fairy DragonCon

Donation and Information Page

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. 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 Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

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January February 2019 eZine Newsletter

By Patti Butcheck, on January 5th, 2019%

Freethought Society Newsletter

Click here to see the January February 2019 eZine Newsletter.

In the Ezine you will find the following articles:

The 2018 Attempt to Display The Tree of Knowledge
by Margaret Downey
Photos of the 2018 Philadelphia Tree of Knowledge
More Photos of the 2018 Tree of Knowledge
Do You Listen to Your Conscience?
by Hugh Taft-Morales
2018 Trees of Knowledge Around the United States
The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s Influence
By Gary Berton
Donation and Information Page

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. 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.

Share on Facebook

January-February 2015 FS Newsletter

By FS Editor, on December 31st, 2014%

Click here to read the newsletter: January-February-2015-FS-News-Web

In the newsletter you will find the following articles:

The First Secular Day of the Dead Celebration by Margaret Downey
The Lively Celebration of the First Secular Day of the Dead by Victoria de la Torre
Photos of the First Secular Day of the Dead
Voting Beneath the “Head of Christ” by Wayne Trotta
Advocating for the 2014 West Chester, PA Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
The Las Vegas, Nevada 2014 Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2014 Tree of Knowledge by Margaret Downey
Promotional Flier for the February 13, 2015 Anti-Superstition Bash and Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center Event by Carol Everhart Roper
School District Under Fire for Hosting Scouts Assembly by Tim Cwiek (First Published in the Philadelphia Gay News on December 11, 2014)
The Movie Scene by Dennis Middlebrooks
The Freethought Society’s 2015 Four-Month Calendar
Donation and Information Page

Click here to read the newsletter: January-February-2015-FS-News-Web

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 newsletter inspires you to become more actively involved with FS, please provide us with your contact information, including your phone number, email address, 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. 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 Freethought Society News Editorial Staff

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The 2014 Philadelphia Tree of Knowledge event 12/7/2014

By FS Editor, on November 13th, 2014%

The 2014 Philadelphia Tree of Knowledge

Book This Event for a Secular Holiday Season

Please plan to celebrate the 2014 winter season in a festive freethought fashion by attending a Tree of Knowledge decorating special event! The Tree of Knowledge will be placed in the lobby of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia (EHSP) at 11:00 AM on Sunday, December 7, 2014. The Freethought Society (FS) is proud to join with EHSP for this celebration of openness, education, and freedom of conscience. EHSP is located at 1906 South Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

The Tree of Knowledge will be decorated around noon following an EHSP program featuring an address by Hugh Taft-Morales entitled, “Great Awakenings.”

Taft-Morales will explore the First Great Awakening that brought an angry god to America at the beginning of the 18^th century, the Second Great Awakening fueling public social reform early in the 19^th century, and the 20^thcentury wave of progressivism that woke government up to its responsibility for ordinary citizens. Taft-Morales will conclude by advocating for a contemporary “great awakening” of secular government and a culture of humanism and freethought.

The Tree of Knowledge became a winter symbol for the nontheist community in 2007, originally placed on the lawn of the Chester County Courthouse in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Despite appeals for openness and acceptance, Chester County Commissioners have prevented the nontheist community’s symbol from being included in any the traditional winter holiday display since 2010. EHSP welcomed The Tree of Knowledge display with excitement and full support for the diversity it represents.

Margaret Downey, President of FS said, “This is the fourth year that we’ve celebrated the winter season with a Tree of Knowledge at the Ethical Humanist Society. It started as a symbol of inclusion and sharing in this region but The Tree of Knowledge has since become a tradition, not just in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but throughout the world.”

Visitors are encouraged to bring two color copies of the front of a favorite book to the December 7^th event. A laminator and other craft materials will be available for those color copies to be made into an ornament. The ornament can be placed on the Ethical Society’s Tree of Knowledge or used for a home display.

Downey and FS board members Jennifer Taylor and Patti Butcheck will be making the ornaments at 1:00 PM in the upstairs meeting room.

Enjoy the Taft-Morales EHSP presentation on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM, and stay for The Tree of Knowledge decorating party and noon! Both events are free and open to the public.

To view photos of previous Tree of Knowledge displays, see: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xaadwcswcszxvij/AAA2JyLkjtUEpQJq6lV72DZta?dl=0

For more information, contact:

Margaret Downey, FS President

Phone: 610.793.2737

Email: Margaret@FtSociety.org

Hugh Taft-Morales, EHSP Leader

Phone: 215.735.3456

Email: LeaderHugh@phillyethics.org

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