For this meeting our members volunteered to report on various world-religions and alternative belief systems. 

This meeting was somewhat unique in that we had 3 members of HCCO share information about specific topics of importance to them. Jeff Beachy discussed the Mennonite and Amish beliefs and lifestyles. Scott Hickey discussed Medical Evolution. Bob Roehm discussed what it is like to live with a brain injury.

Watched Part 2 of The Four Horseman.

Catherine Turcer director of Ohio Citizen Action’s Money in Politics Project discussed many topic related to the flow of money into the political process, which raises unethical pay to play system.

Watched Part 1 of The Four Horseman.

For this meeting we had two speakers Warren Wolf, President of the Humanist Institute, and Bob Bhaerman, Coordinator of the Kochhar Humanist Education Center.

Warren Wolf  spoke on the history of Humanist organizations since 1952.  The primary groups are International Humanist and Ethical Union, American Humanist Association, Center for Free Inquiry and Unitarian Universalist.  Read Warren's presentation.

Bob Bhaerman spoke on his work with the creation of the newly formed  Kochhar Humanist Education Center, which will provide educational material for teaching Humanism to all ages.  The curriculum is divided into 8 major topics and organized into four age groups.  The material is a collection of educational material that has been created by large and small Humanist groups, like HCCO, from America and other countries.   Please check out this exciting new project at   http://www.americanhumanist.org/khec/.

 HCCO President Amy Birtcher presented an informative speak on how to think critically.  This not disbelieving every thing, but rather how to analyze what is being said is logical and not meant to mislead.  Read Amy's presentation.  Related link http://www.criticalthinking.org.
 

 HCCO provided pizza and refreshments for a meeting of socializing and getting to know one another better. 
 

 Nova documentary called Intelligent Design on Trial which looks inside the Dover Board of Education v Teachers trail in Dover PA.  Click here for more information.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A heavy winter storm walloped Ohio's capital with more than 20 inches of snow, while blizzard conditions shut down highways and stranded air travelers across the state and parts of Indiana.  High winds whipped the snow into 3-foot-tall drifts in some places and cut visibility to less than a quarter mile.

  Bob Fitrakis is a Political Science Professor at Columbus State Community College and the Executive Director/Editor of the Columbus Free Press. He is a leading advocate for Ohio election reform.  Since the 2004 presidential election, Bob has co-written 3 books on the subject: How the GOP Stole America's 2004 Election, Did George W. Bush Steal America's 2004 Election? Essential Documents and What Happened in Ohio?  Bob explained to HCCO the many voting irregularities that Ohio had in the 2004 election.  He then answered our many questions on what happened and what can be done now.  We also celebrated Charles Darwin's 199th birthday with two birthday cakes. (see Photo Album for more pictures)
 

  Jeff described his experience with meeting a prisoner named Ray M. at the Pickaway Correctional Institution.  Ray wrote a letter to the  Humanist Community of Central Ohio a few months earlier.  He heard of Humanism from an Air America radio broadcast where Freedom From Religion Foundation activities were discussed.  He contacted the foundation and was  given contact information for August Brunsman, Executive Director of the Secular Student Alliance and an HCCO member.  To read Ray's letter to HCCO, click here.  Jeff made the many necessary arrangements needed to visit Ray.  Jeff described the two-hour visit as candid and pleasant for both.  As Ray describes in his letter that as a "science-believing Humanist," he is alone in prison.  Jeff's visit meant a great deal to him.  Jeff plans to visit more in the future.  He would welcome another person to join him or for anyone to write to Ray.