N.Y. Freethought Trail traces nonbelievers who chartered a historic course

[SecularMotion]

SENECA FALLS, N.Y. (RNS) More than 29,000 people visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park each year, where they sit on the wooden pews in the faded brick Wesleyan Chapel where, in 1848, 100 activists signed the first document in world history to declare “all men and women are created equal.”

But most visitors will hear little of the role that freethought — the philosophical view that challenges both religious and secular orthodoxies — played in extending women the right to vote in 1920.

What’s more, not many know that without freethought there would have been no push for women’s equality, abolition or reproductive rights.

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/08/26/trail-traces-nonbelievers-who-chartered-a-historic-course/

[dimbear]

1. Our fiery foremothers, one especially who should be better remembered:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernestine_Rose

Ernestine Louise Rose

We need more like her.

[cbayer]

2. Great article!

I remember first being introduced to this as a freshmen in college. Studying feminism was completely new to me and I became enamored with one heroine after another.

And the interaction between the religiously motivated and secular individuals and groups led to greater strength and a louder voice.

That is what I would like to see happen now. This isn't, or shouldn't be, a battle with teams that oppose each other. It should be an opportunity for people to join together to achieve common goals.

Thanks for this article. It was a real blast from my past.