Margaret Downey
Margaret Downey | |
---|---|
Born | 16 August 1950 US | (age 73)
Organization | The Freethought Society |
Margaret Downey (born August 16, 1950) is a nontheist activist who is a former President of Atheist Alliance International and founder and president of the Freethought Society (formerly Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia).[1][2] She also founded the Anti-Discrimination Support Network, which reports and helps deal with discrimination against atheists.[3][4]
Early life
Downey grew up with a
Activism
Downey has been active in a variety of causes including feminism and anti-smoking campaigns before becoming a public representative of atheism.[1]
Margaret Downey is known for her activities in this area. Her first major involvement as a publicly active nontheist was when her son Matthew was not allowed to renew his membership in the Boy Scouts of America since he was raised in a nontheist household.
Downey is also affiliated with a variety of other organizations that promote atheism and the separation of church and state such as Freedom From Religion Foundation of which she is a board member and the American Humanist Association of which she is a past board member.[4] In 2003 she was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Steven Wells (2007-11-19). "Taking the Christ out of Christmas". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Walter F. Naedele (2008-01-27). "Following own way, and mind". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Anti-Discrimination Support Network". Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b c "Secular Celebrations Presents Margaret Downey". Secular Celebration. Archived from the original on 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b Margaret Downey (November 1999). "Challenging the discriminatory practices of the Boy Scouts of America". The Humanist. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Secular Parenting in a Religious World: An Interview with Margaret Downey". Margaret Downey.com. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
- ^ "Supreme Court says Boy Scouts can bar gay troop leaders". CNN. 2000-06-28. Archived from the original on 2008-01-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Matt Purple. "Atheists Assail Bill Recognizing America's Religious History". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Margaret Downey. "Discrimination Against Atheists:The Facts". Free Inquiry Magazine. 24 (4). Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Notable Signers". Humanism and Its Aspirations. American Humanist Association. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
External links
- Freethought Society official website
- Downey taking part in the Blasphemy Challenge on YouTube with Brian Sapient and Kelly O'Connor of the Rational Response Squad
- Dogma Free America podcast interview with Margaret Downey