Comments on: Margaret Downey, Wonder Woman http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/ by Hemant Mehta Sat, 26 May 2012 03:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Rusty http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97543 Rusty Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:02:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97543 Just saw this woman being interviewed on TV. Not only is she obnoxious, she interrupted other people constantly and never ceased with that smarmy grin/smile that liberals like to employ when they're spewing hate. Just saw this woman being interviewed on TV. Not only is she obnoxious, she interrupted other people constantly and never ceased with that smarmy grin/smile that liberals like to employ when they’re spewing hate.

]]> By: Janice Rael http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97265 Janice Rael Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:18:18 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97265 The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia erected its holiday tree at a festival yesterday in West Chester PA. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2rj7dh" rel="nofollow"></a> <strong>Atheists to erect holiday display <em>FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY SCHEDULES CEREMONY FOR 5 P.M. </em>SATURDAY</strong> By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer WEST CHESTER — For the first time a regional atheist group will display a holiday tree on the Chester County Courthouse lawn during the winter holidays, potentially setting a seasonal model for other communities. County commissioners have allowed groups to display a Christmas tree and menorah on the lawn. But last year, The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, an atheist group, asked the commissioners to either let any group set up a seasonal holiday display or ban the displays entirely. This fall, the commissioners approved a policy that allows any group to put up a seasonal display if it meets design, insurance and safety requirements. “This is a very rewarding step in our citizenry of Chester County, where we are now being recognized as an integral part of the community. Advertisement And it makes us feel like whole citizens to be able to participate in this way,” said Margaret Downey, president of the Freethought Society. The group’s display, “The Tree of Knowledge,” will include a 15-foot evergreen with color copies of book covers as decorations. Some of the book covers will include the Holy Bible, the Quran, “Ethics Without God,” “Why I Am Not a Christian,” and “Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism.” Downey said she hopes the Chester County display will be a catalyst for displays across the nation. And she said her priority will be displaying a similar tree in Philadelphia next year. “If this works here, we’re going to encourage other Freethought groups to do the same,” Downey said. The county’s policy allows qualified applicants to set up a display from this Friday to Jan. 15. Interested groups had to apply by Nov. 15. “The commissioners wanted to get a policy for winter holiday displays, giving all community groups an opportunity to erect a winter display,” said Commissioner Carol Aichele. The county received four applications, and all were approved. Applicants had to pitch design ideas that would not give the impression the county was endorsing a particular religion. In addition to “The Tree of Knowledge,” the courthouse lawn will feature a Christmas tree, a menorah and a crèche this year. The Freethought Society will hold a tree ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday at the courthouse. The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia erected its holiday tree at a festival yesterday in West Chester PA.


Atheists to erect holiday display
FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY SCHEDULES CEREMONY FOR 5 P.M. SATURDAY
By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — For the first time a regional atheist group will display a holiday tree on the Chester County Courthouse lawn during the winter holidays, potentially setting a seasonal model for other communities.

County commissioners have allowed groups to display a Christmas tree and menorah on the lawn. But last year, The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, an atheist group, asked the commissioners to either let any group set up a seasonal holiday display or ban the displays entirely.

This fall, the commissioners approved a policy that allows any group to put up a seasonal display if it meets design, insurance and safety requirements.

“This is a very rewarding step in our citizenry of Chester County, where we are now being recognized as an integral part of the community.
Advertisement

And it makes us feel like whole citizens to be able to participate in this way,” said Margaret Downey, president of the Freethought Society.

The group’s display, “The Tree of Knowledge,” will include a 15-foot evergreen with color copies of book covers as decorations. Some of the book covers will include the Holy Bible, the Quran, “Ethics Without God,” “Why I Am Not a Christian,” and “Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism.”

Downey said she hopes the Chester County display will be a catalyst for displays across the nation. And she said her priority will be displaying a similar tree in Philadelphia next year.

“If this works here, we’re going to encourage other Freethought groups to do the same,” Downey said.

The county’s policy allows qualified applicants to set up a display from this Friday to Jan. 15. Interested groups had to apply by Nov. 15.

“The commissioners wanted to get a policy for winter holiday displays, giving all community groups an opportunity to erect a winter display,” said Commissioner Carol Aichele.

The county received four applications, and all were approved. Applicants had to pitch design ideas that would not give the impression the county was endorsing a particular religion.

In addition to “The Tree of Knowledge,” the courthouse lawn will feature a Christmas tree, a menorah and a crèche this year.

The Freethought Society will hold a tree ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday at the courthouse.

]]> By: roger mills http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97219 roger mills Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:34:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-97219 margaret ; why don't you display your goofy tree sometime in may or june when it won't conflict with christmas . it is your right to say and to think anything you wish, but just do it when it won't interfere with legitimate national hoilidays. you won't because no one will care if you are not 'stepping' on christmas. wise up !!!! margaret ; why don’t you display your goofy tree sometime in may or june when it won’t conflict with christmas . it is your right to say and to think anything you wish, but just do it when it won’t interfere with legitimate national hoilidays. you won’t because no one will care if you are not ‘stepping’ on christmas. wise up !!!!

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Atheist Alliance International Convention 2007 (Recap) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-73192 Friendly Atheist » Atheist Alliance International Convention 2007 (Recap) Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:42:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-73192 [...] Hitchens, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, Greydon Square, Eugenie Scott, Nica Lalli, Mike Estes, Margaret Downey, Paul Geisert, Mynga Futrell, Matthew Chapman, Julia Sweeney, Rob Boston, Brian Sapient and Kelly, [...] [...] Hitchens, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, Greydon Square, Eugenie Scott, Nica Lalli, Mike Estes, Margaret Downey, Paul Geisert, Mynga Futrell, Matthew Chapman, Julia Sweeney, Rob Boston, Brian Sapient and Kelly, [...]

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Atheist Alliance International Convention 2007 (Recap) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-73191 Friendly Atheist » Atheist Alliance International Convention 2007 (Recap) Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:42:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-73191 [...] Hitchens, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, Greydon Square, Eugenie Scott, Nica Lalli, Mike Estes, Margaret Downey, Paul Geisert, Mynga Futrell, Matthew Chapman, Julia Sweeney, Rob Boston, Brian Sapient and Kelly, [...] [...] Hitchens, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, Greydon Square, Eugenie Scott, Nica Lalli, Mike Estes, Margaret Downey, Paul Geisert, Mynga Futrell, Matthew Chapman, Julia Sweeney, Rob Boston, Brian Sapient and Kelly, [...]

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » 20/20 Story on the Power of Faith http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-27074 Friendly Atheist » 20/20 Story on the Power of Faith Sat, 12 May 2007 11:47:59 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-27074 [...] Margaret Downey, president of Atheist Alliance International, is also quoted in the story. She refers to the Anti-Discrimination Support Network, a collection of stories of people who are discriminated against simply because of their lack of belief: “We get hundreds of narratives throughout the year, and they range from everything from murder to knifings and beatings and rapes, to just community shunning, people losing jobs, people losing family members, all for the sake of staying principled and nonhypocritical when it comes to their philosophy in life.” [...] [...] Margaret Downey, president of Atheist Alliance International, is also quoted in the story. She refers to the Anti-Discrimination Support Network, a collection of stories of people who are discriminated against simply because of their lack of belief: “We get hundreds of narratives throughout the year, and they range from everything from murder to knifings and beatings and rapes, to just community shunning, people losing jobs, people losing family members, all for the sake of staying principled and nonhypocritical when it comes to their philosophy in life.” [...]

]]> By: Janice http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-6493 Janice Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:02:08 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-6493 Either I hit the wrong key, or I was silently seconding the motion. Either I hit the wrong key, or I was silently seconding the motion.

]]> By: Janice http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-6492 Janice Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:55:57 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/02/10/margaret-downey-wonder-woman/#comment-6492