About FSGP

The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP) was founded in 1993 by Margaret Downey. Today, FSGP's community outreach efforts have changed the hearts and minds of many citizens who never met or talked to an atheist. FSGP sponsors activities, events and speakers to educate the public about the nontheist life stance. FSGP's efforts to keep religion out of government and government out of religion ensure Constitutional protection for theist and nontheist citizens alike.

What does FSGP advocate?

We advocate reason, rationalism, freethought and humanism. To this end, FSGP provides forums in which freethinkers can gather for informational and educational meetings, and for fun events and social networking with like-minded individuals.

Why Join?

A membership with FSGP is an investment in the nontheist movement. We look forward to continuing to providing educational programs, social events, outreach and advocacy for freethinkers in the Delaware Valley region, but we can't do it without support from individuals like you.

Monthly Program Meetings

To better meet the needs of our members, FSGP has recently begun to vary meeting days, times and locations. Check our web site for the most up-to-date information on monthly program meeting speakers and topics.

Monthly meetings are a great way to introduce yourself and make new friends. After the meeting a group often goes to a local restaurant to socialize and discuss ideas raised by the speaker.

 

 Welcome!

Please refer to our mission statement and brief history on the right-hand sidebar of the page for details about the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP).

 Atheists meet with White House

Atheist Group Heralds 'First Time in History' Policy Briefing with White House Officials

Freethinkers Help Haiti

Margaret Downey has set up a system to send money to the Free Thinkers of
Haiti. The Freethought Society (FS) will acknowledge donations (for tax
purposes) that are earmarked to send to the Free Thinkers of Haiti. The
president of that group (Billy Alamoza) will use the money to help the homeless
and the injured through  his group activities.

Send money donations to: Freethought Society, P. O. Box 242, Pocopson, PA 19366 or use www.FtSociety.org.


 

March

The FS board of directors will meet on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 6:00 PM at the

Norristown Public Library

1001 Powell Street,

Norristown, PA 19401-3817

The business meeting is open-to-the-public, however the board room will only seat 25 people. Seating is available on a first come basis.

     The Norristown Public Library is being considered as the location for future FS monthly meetings. The board will study the drive time, observe the parking availability, examine the disability accessibility (ADA compliance), measure each meeting room size and determine potential use of audio/visual equipment.

     Readers of The Freethought News are invited to send suggested board meeting agenda items. To date, agenda items include:

 

Work Distribution

(volunteer opportunities)

Meeting Plans

(Speakers, Location and Costs)

2010 Event Plans

(Picnic, Protest Efforts, Street Fair and Winter Holiday)

Bylaw Approval

(Name Change and Additional Specifics)

Committee Overview

(Chair Assignments)

 

April

Lecture by Margaret Downey

Doylestown, April 6 2010  

The Bucks County Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church & State (AU) is very pleased to have Margaret Downey speak on  

"Your Taxes and the Private Boy Scouts of America"

Margaret, Founder and President of The Freethought Society, is an excellent and knowledgeable speaker who has been very involved with this topic for many years.

Please join us for an enlightening lecture on April 6, 2010 for the AU meeting. The Doylestown Library is located at
150 Pine Street,
Doylestown, Pa 18901.  The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

 

FS April Meeting

FS is pleased to host M. Kelly Tillery as the April speaker. Please attend the Monday, April 26, 2010, meeting at the

Norristown Public Library

1001 Powell Street,

Norristown, PA 19401-3817

All FS meetings are free and open-to-the-public. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 PM in the large meeting room.

     Tillery’s speech “You Can Fight City Hall” will highlight the lawsuit Gilfillan v City of Philadelphia, 480 F.Supp. 1161 (E.D.PA. 1979) affirmed 637 F.2d 924 (3rd Cir. 1980). The legality of using taxpayer money to design, build and maintain a large platform from which Pope John Paul II performed Mass on October 3, 1979 was called to question in the lawsuit.

     Tillery was a young soon-to-be lawyer at the time. He was the first to complain of this unconstitutional activity to the ACLU beginning the process which ultimately lead to the U. S. Supreme Court. Attend this presentation to learn legal details of fighting City Hall.

     Tillery is a partner in the Intellectual Property Group at Pepper Hamilton, LLP in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania.

 

The winner is unable to use the condo, so we are looking for someone to help out FS and use it!

Please contact Margaret Downey [downey1@downey1.cnc.net] if you are interested.

Enjoy a fabulous condo for a week in St. Croix!


 

Check out the Calendar for more upcoming events!