Greetings!

I hope everyone was pleased with our new “digs” at the Barrie Public Library. Your executive was, but if you have any concerns please let me know.

Well, time is flying by and our second meeting of the year will take place on Thursday, February 24 in the Angus-Ross room, just inside the main entrance on the left. Doors will open at 6:30pm with a 7:00pm start.

I’m pleased to announce we have purchased a copy of Nova’s excellent documentary called “Judgement Day,” and this month, we will present and discuss the first half. No, it’s not about the second coming of Christ. In Dover Pennsylvania in 2005, the local school board decided to try to introduce intelligent design into its science curriculum, and to force science teachers to warn students that evolution was “just a theory.” Well, that sparked a landmark court battle, kind of a replay of the 1925 “monkey trial”, which the evolutionists lost.

The Dover account is exciting because the story is told by participants on both sides of the issue, including the vitriol and threats tearing apart the community. Then there is the dramatic court battle, reenacted from actual testimony. I learned a lot, not just about the legal issues, but about cutting edge science presented by the scientists who were called as witnesses. Last but not least is the judgement itself, written by a republican judge who had prior exposure to neither evolution nor creationism. The case was precedent setting and there were consequences to the judge himself. You won’t want to miss this month’s meeting!

Thank you to Bruce Murphy for steering me onto http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4082. I enjoyed reading the articles posted there. The one on “What do Creationists Believe” has excellent information about seven flavours of Creationism (with Intelligent Design as the “science” available to all of them).

And just a reminder that if you want to begin or renew your COHA membership please come prepared to sign up for 2010. Forms will be available, and individual dues are just $30 per year.

Warm regards,
Paul
President, Central Ontario Humanists Association
_______________________________________________
Central Ontario Humanists

http://www.cohumanists.ca/

info@cohumanists.ca

Topic: Secular Morality

(Tomorrow) Wednesday January 20 is COHA’s first meeting at the Barrie Public Library. Doors of the Angus-Ross room, just inside the main entrance on the left, will open at 6:30pm with a 7:00pm start. Our pre-meeting social dinner is as usual at the Swiss Chalet on Bayfield St. at 5pm.

Our topic is What is morality? Where does it come from? Shawn will lead off with a video presentation from an expert — associate professor of Psychology Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. Prof. Haidt discusses the secular roots of innate morality, and how differing views of morality intersect with religion and the political spectrum. After the video, Shawn has invited two or three members to comment. By then I’m sure the rest of us will be itching to react to all of this, so expect a lively discussion.

Don’t forget to renew your membership — $30 per year.