The Freethinkers Society was an American organization founded as the Freethinkers' Society of New York[1] in 1915. Later renamed, the society was behind a number of lawsuits seeking to ensure the separation of church and state.
| Formation | 1915 as the Freethinkers Society of New York |
|---|---|
| Founded at | New York City, New York, United States |
| Type | Social group |
| Purpose | Promoting freethought |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York |
President | Joseph Lewis |
History
editFounding of the organization
editThe society was founded in 1915.[citation needed] In January 1920, under the auspices of the Freethinkers' Society, Thomas Wright lectured in New York on Nietzsche and Thomas Paine in Manhattan.[2]
The society was behind a number of lawsuits seeking to ensure the separation of church and state. In 1925, the society was suing Mount Vernon, New York, to stop school authorities from requiring children to attend religious services, with the case picked up as important by attorney Clarence Darrow.[3] As of 1926, publisher Joseph Lewis remained president.[1] After a court order favored their suit in early 1926,[4] later that year, the society instituted injunction proceedings against the Board of Education of White Plains, New York over the decision of Supreme Court Justice Ellis J. Staley to allow time out for children's religious instruction.[5] In May 1927, the Freethinkers' Society of New York took a decision on religious teaching to the Supreme Court on an appeal, after the court upheld the "religious training of public school children during schools hours at churches by parents."[6]
Incorporation and renaming
editIn 1928, Lewis incorporated the Freethinkers Society, renaming it "The Freethinkers of America" and becoming its president.[7][unreliable source?]
In March 1930, at a luncheon honoring Philip J. Peabody, it was announced the society would move to legally force the board of education to eliminate the reading of the Bible in public schools. It was announced that Mayor Joseph Wheless, attorney for the association, would handle the case, with aid offered by Clarence Darrow, Arthur Garfield Hays and Stephen B. Vreeland.[8]
As of November 1935, Freethinkers of America had 30,000 members at $1 a year for membership, with Lewis still president.[9]
In 1936, Lewis denied that three honorary vice presidents had resigned, after the National Conference of Christians and Jews declared that Rupert Hughes, Clarence Darrow, and Harry Elmer Barnes had removed their names. Barnes confirmed he had argued with Lewis over Lewis' annual statement denouncing Yom Kippur, but had not resigned.[10]
The society successfully challenged the use of public school buildings for religious training in 1948, with a decision by the Supreme Court despite protests by religious groups.[11] In 1956, the organization sued to attempt to remove the "under god" from the Pledge of Allegiance, which had been added the year before.[12] In 1958, the Freethinkers of America filed a suit over a hospital ban prohibiting birth-control therapy in New York city hospitals.[13] Lewis died in 1968 after decades of activity with the organization.[14]
Members
editLuther Burbank who was a member and first honorary vice president.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Tributes to Franklin Paid at a Dinner; Speakers at Freethinkers' Society Celebration Recall Incidents in His Life". The New York Times. January 18, 1926. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "In the current week". The New York Times. January 18, 1920. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Darrow Offers Aid to Freethinkers; Society Is Suing in Mount Vernon to Stop Schools From Requiring Religious Attendance. Lawyer Praises the Suit - Says It Is as Important as Scopes Trial and He Will Help Appeal If Wanted". The New York Times. June 11, 1925. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Fight School Time to Teach Religion; Freethinkers Get Court Order in Suit to Stop Practice at White Plains. Hearing at Albany Feb. 13 - Justice Russell Directs State Head to Show Why Instruction Should Not Be Stopped". The New York Times. January 17, 1926. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Seeks Write Against Religious Teaching; Freethinkers' Society to Ask Injunction Against Plan for White Plains Schools. Calls it Violation of Law - Joseph Lewis Declares He Will Fight to the Finish -- Calls Practice Pernicious". The New York Times. April 27, 1926. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Freethinkers to Appeal; Will Take Decision on Religious Teaching to Supreme Court". The New York Times. May 22, 1927. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ Braggiotti, Mary (September 5, 1945). "A Paine-Inspired Quest for Knowledge". New York Post. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Plan Suit to Bar Bible in Schools of the City; Freethinkers Tell of Move in Honoring Dr. Peabody, Who Has Crossed Atlantic 125 Times. Man, 62, Ends Life by Plunge". The New York Times. March 28, 1930.
- ^ "Religion: The Enemy of God". Time. November 11, 1935.
- ^ "Still With Freethinkers; Three Vice Presidents Did Not Resign, Lewis Asserts". The New York Times. November 1, 1936.
- ^ "3 Faiths File Brief for Released Time; Coordinating Group Defends State Law Attacked by Freethinkers Society - Compulsion Lack Cited - Freedom for Religious Training Outside Schools Upheld in Supreme Court Plea". The New York Times. June 17, 1948. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Pledge's 'Under God' is Opposed in Court". The New York Times. November 10, 1956. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Dr. Jacobs Sued on Birth Control; Freethinkers Asking Court to Lift Ban on Therapy in Municipal Hospitals". The New York Times. August 19, 1958. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Joseph Lewis, Publisher, Dead; Crusader for Atheism Was 79". The New York Times. November 5, 1968. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ Lewis, Joseph (July 1, 2003). "Burbank the Infidel 1930". The Freethought Press Association. ISBN 978-0-7661-7174-9.