Hello Happy Humanists,

I have an important announcement: Our usual before-our-meeting dinner has been changed to East Side Mario’s on Bayfield Street. It has not been decided if this will be a one time change or something that happens from now on.

Monday, March 5: The Myth of Universal Rights

On Monday, March 5th at 7PM the Central Ontario Humanists will have Dr. David N. Stamos discussUniversal Human Rights, in which he will argue that this widespread concept is a modern myth given the science of evolution. We meet at the Barrie Public Library in the Angus Ross Room. Guests are welcome, and your first three meetings are free.

Doors open at 6:30, and the presentation starts promptly at 7 PM. We will be meeting for dinner and discussion at 5 PM at East Side Mario’s on Bayfield St. Anyone is welcome to come. If you have any questions about our pre-meeting dinner, please email me and ask.

About the topic

David Stamos’ forthcoming book, “The Myth of Universal Human Rights” speaks about concept of human rights (universal, equal, innate, inalienable). Dr. Stamos argues that if evolution is true then the basis ofdocuments such as the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights is completely undermined.

About the speaker

David N. Stamos is a philosopher of science and teaches in the Philosophy Department at York University. His research interests are the Philosophy of biology, Darwin (historical research on his species concept and pre-Darwinian taxonomy), David Hume (finding Hume’s God), Human nature, Human rights, Karl Popper.

We have our schedule for 2012! After many requests we are changing our meeting day to the first Monday of the month. On the occasion where we couldn’t book the first Monday of the month I have shown the adjustment in brackets.

Monday, March 5: Dr. Stamos on The Myth of Universal Human Rights
Monday, April 2: Dr. Christopher Guest on Male Circumcision
Monday, May 7
Monday, June 4
Summer Solstice Party tentatively July 7 at Springwater Park

Summer Solstice

Hot on the heals of last year’s winter solstice party, I am going to announce that the Executive is currently planning to have the summer solstice party in Springwater Park again this year, and tentatively have selected July 7th as the date. All comments and opinions regarding the summer solstice party location and agenda are welcome. Simply reply back to this email.

Membership

Many people’s memberships are coming due. You can download our membership form and fill it in and bring it to the next meeting. Are you not sure when your membership is up? That’s okay! Feel free to pay in advance your next year’s membership. Why put off until later what you can put off forever?

Volunteers

If you would like to help run the day to day operations of the group, we’d love to have you help out on occasion. For example, having someone volunteer to help record who comes each day would be a great benefit. Contact me if you would like to volunteer on occasion.

Financial Information

I am very excited to report a strong uptick in how interested and enthusiastic our support is from you, our members. Many people are taking a stronger interest in the organization than ever before. One example is that several people have requested the financial return information for COHA, which we are currently finalizing for our submission to Revenue Canada. For the first time ever I am pleased to say we will be posting this information online as well as emailing it out to all of you. You concern, support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.

I will see you soon,