Thomas Paine Program at Humanist Event

A program on Thomas Paine, theorist of the American Revolution, will be held in Norwalk at the April 13 meeting of the Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County.

The speaker is Gary Berton, Coordinator of the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona College and former president of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association. His talk will be followed by time for discussion.

Paine was a political theorist, political activist, philosopher and revolutionary. Born in England, he immigrated to the British American colonies with the help of Benjamin Franklin. His influential pamphlets, especially Common Sense, inspired colonists to fight for separation from monarchy and establishment of a new democratic nation independent from England.

Paine was the philosophical leader of the “radical” trend of the revolution. Paine was joined in championing this philosophy by Benjamin Franklin and others. Their leadership led to the Declaration of Independence and the Pennsylvania Constitution, the most progressive documents of the Revolution.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Silver Star Diner at 210 Connecticut Ave in Norwalk. It is free and open to the public.

The Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County, Connecticut, espouses Reason and Compassion, seeks to promote Humanism and free thought in our community. It meets on the second Monday of each month, with speakers, discussion, and social time. Learn more at the HFFC Meetup site or on Facebook.