Tree of Knowledge

Posted by Ir (Helen) on: 01.09.2007 /

Margaret Downey, founder and President of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadephia, e-mailed me a few days ago about an interesting project FSGP is doing called the Tree of Knowledge. Quoting from their flyer:

The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP), a nonprofit 501(c)3 educational organization is pleased to announce a plan to educate the public by participating in the 2007 winter display at the Free Speech Zone located at 6th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To this date only two displays are highlighted at the Free Speech Zone—a giant Menorah and a Crèche. FSGP presents our plan for a 2007 Tree of Knowledge Free Speech Zone Display (see photos, samples and description below).

With a Tree of Knowledge display, FSGP will convey to passersby that the United States of America is not simply an exclusively Judeo-Christian country. There exists in America a strong united minority of Freethinkers, Atheists, Secular Humanists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Rationalists, Ethical Culturalists and Humanists.

Below is a picture of a giant Solstice tree (25-30 feet high). Now imagine the giant tree decorated with color copies of the front and back of books/dust jackets that are hung from a brightly colored ribbon.

FSGP invites members and supporters to provide unfolded color copies (front and back) of their favorite Freethought books.

They also say this tree will cost $10,000 and are asking for donations.

6 Responses to "Tree of Knowledge"

  • Comment by: David S

    1 01/9/07 8:10 AM | Comment Link |

    It would have more impact if it were somewhere in the bible belt. It would get an initial story, then it would get another story when it was burned to the ground. :)

  • Comment by: Siamang

    2 01/9/07 1:50 PM | Comment Link |

    Wow…. what a waste of $10,000.

    Does it really take $10,000 to put up a fake christmas tree and decorate it with donated books and have it lit for free by the park service?

    Terrible. When you said it was a $10,000 tree of knowlege, I thought it was a computer-based internet touch-screen kind of kiosk.

    And why is it a christmas tree? Why are there books on it that you can’t read because it’s surrounded by a fence?

    Is it called “a tree of knowlege” as a deliberate dig at the genesis story?

  • Comment by: NCxian

    3 01/9/07 2:04 PM | Comment Link |

    There exists in America a strong united minority of Freethinkers, Atheists, Secular Humanists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Rationalists, Ethical Culturalists and Humanists.

    My impression from what my atheist comrades here have said is that “united” would not be the first adjective on anybody’s lips. Am I mistaken?

  • Comment by: Siamang

    4 01/9/07 2:37 PM | Comment Link |

    Seeing as the first thing I did upon reading their plan was to rip it to shreds…

    No, I guess!

    ;-)

  • Comment by: Ir (Helen)

    5 01/10/07 7:12 AM | Comment Link |

    Siamang, it seems like a lot of money to me too. But evidently Margaret and the FSGP think it’s worth it.

    I expect you’re right that ‘Tree of Knowledge’ is a reference to the tree of knowledge of good and evil mentioned in Genesis 2 & 3.

  • Comment by: Siamang

    6 01/10/07 3:27 PM | Comment Link |

    Totally random reference…

    I remember Tony Hendra’s parody of the bible in the 80’s called “Not the Bible.”

    In it’s version of Genesis, the forbidden fruit grew from “The Tree of the Knowlege of Sex.”