2009 SOFREE Winter Solstice Party

SATURDAY DECEMBER 19

6:30 pm. Marcelo's Restaurant. 2435 Eagle St. N.

Cambridge, Ontario

(east of Hespeler Rd; beside auto glass shop)

Join us for our fabulous annual winter solstice get-together! This year we offer an authentic Italian feast at Marcelo’s Restaurant – truly a hidden gem in Cambridge. Every meal is freshly prepared by a master chef and we get a private room for our party. 

SOFREE members $25. Non members $35.

 

 

Remembrance Day Lecture & Discussion

Canada's Citizen Soldiers 1603-2009:
the people we honour on Remembrance Day

Main Branch Auditorium
Kitchener Public Library
85 Queen Street North, Kitchener

Wed November 11, 2009

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Guest Speaker: Doug Thomas
Teacher, author, publisher

Free admission

 

 

 

29th Annual World Religions Conference

Saturday October 24, 2009. Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall, University of Waterloo. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

How do different faiths and philosophies explain the relevance of god in today’s world of science, economic uncertainty and cultural diversity? Join the SOFREE for a day filled with interesting speakers, booth displays and complimentary lunch and refreshments. The objective of this year's conference is to bring scholars from different faith groups and philosophical traditions together to present and discuss the relevance of god in today’s world.

 

The Word On The Street (WOTS) is a national celebration of literacy and the written word. On one extraordinary Sunday each September, the public is invited to participate in author events, presentations and workshops, and to browse a marketplace that boasts a great selection of Canadian books and magazines. The Society of Ontario Freethinkers (SOFREE) is an annual presenter at the WOTS. We will have diverse books, magazines, cards and other goodies available for sale at our booth. Looking forward to seeing on on September 27!

 

Annual Summer Picnic

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Join us in Waterloo Park for our annual summer fellowship party! Bring your favourite dish and enjoy good times with your fellow Humanists. BBQ chicken will be served. Location: Corner of Young St W & Albert St in Waterloo. Please RSVP by August 10 at sofree.secretary@yahoo.ca

WATERLOO PARK

(just north of Lions Lagoon and the parking lot and west of Victorian Gardens)

3:00 - 7:00 pm

Picnic Area #5

50 Young Street West (off Albert St near University Ave W)

Click HERE for park map

 

Global Warming: Facts and Fallacies

WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2009

7:30 pm

Guest speaker: Dr. Jan Narveson

* Room 1044, Science Building (adjacent to Bricker Building) *

Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo

Click here for campus map

What are the economic costs of damages from climate change? Are warming trends really unprecedented or within normal climatic variations? How do we know we are getting the facts? Join the Society of Ontario Freethinkers for a lively and controversial discussion on this important issue that affects us all.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, Dr Narveson has been teaching business ethics, social philosophy, and political theory for over 30 years. His research interests include: libertarianism, anarchism, environmental philosophy, morality and social contracts. He is a prolific author, having written books and hundreds of essays, reviews and articles for publication. Despite his respected academic background, Dr Narveson’s writing style is often informal and humorous, appealing greatly to the general public. His love of music led him to found the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society - a long-running venue for classical chamber music. In 2003, Dr Narveson was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his distinguished scholarly work that has been the impetus for informed national and international debate on social issues.

SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2009

Don't miss the debate of the year!

EVOLUTION OF ETHICS DEBATE: Science vs. Faith

6:30 pm * Innis Town Hall * U of T Campus * 2 Sussex Avenue

Are ethics divinely-inspired or man-made? Are there absolute morals? Developments in genetic research have unleashed a firestorm of issues concerning human control of creation and its impact on our future. Given that society ideals change over time, how can we determine what is morally right or wrong?

Five renowned speakers, from both the Christian and Humanist communities, will debate some of the hottest issues today, including abortion, gender, homosexuality, and biotechnology. Speakers include: Christopher diCarlo, Michael Coren, George Dvorsky, Tony Costa, and Jean Saindon.

Tickets are $15 for Humanist Canada members; $25 general public; $10 students (with ID). Appetizers, desserts, and drinks included. Speaker profiles and full event details at: www.HumanistCanada.com. Register by April 15. Seating is limited.

EVENT TICKETS

SATURDAY APRIL 4

7:30 pm

Wilfrid Laurier University

Bricker Academic Building

Room 101

75 University Avenue West, Waterloo

Join us for an evening of film and discussion about one of the most controversial topics and documentaries today!

Free for SOFREE members. $5 general public. Snacks & drinks included

 

 

 

 

DARWIN DAY 2009: Bicentennial Birthday Bash!

SATURDAY MARCH 7

6:30 pm

Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre - Norfolk Room

700 Hespeler Road, Cambridge, Ontario

Enjoy a splendid hotel buffet dinner, cash bar, and an exclusive presentation by Christopher diCarlo titled:

"Darwin's Radical Idea: What You May Not Know About Evolution"

 

Advance: $20 members / $30 non-members / $15 kids (6-12)

Tickets going fast. Limited seating. Reserve online by MARCH 5 by choosing ticket option and clicking on Darwin fish:

Darwin Day Tickets

                                                                          

Dr diCarlo is Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Science and Bioethics at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. In 2008, he was recognized as Lecturer of the Year by TV Ontario and was honoured as Humanist of the Year at Humanist Canada's 40th anniversary celebration convention last August. His lecture tour “We Are All African” has been presented across North America and has helped raise awareness of evolutionary theory and funding for the Masai for Africa, an HIV awareness program in Lesotho, Africa.

* Click on MEMBERSHIP to join SOFREE today and enjoy additional benefits!

 

Celebrating Science and Humanism in Niagara

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2009

6:00 pm

Real Canadian Superstore, Community Room

4th Street and Louth Avenue

St. Catharines, Ontario

Please RSVP by Tuesday February 10 at sofree.secretary@yahoo.ca

 

HUMANISM: One Life. One Legacy.

SATURDAY JANUARY 31, 2009

7:30 pm

Wilfrid Laurier University

Bricker Academic Building, Room 101

Guest speaker: Doug Thomas

Doug is a published author, Humanist Network News columnist, and Managing Editor of Canadian Freethinker magazine.

Please RSVP at: sofree.secretary@yahoo.ca by Friday January 30.