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This week FFRF-CMC awarded it's annual $1,000.00 grant to the deserving organization 'Honesty for Ohio Education': 

https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/what-is-honest-education.html 

Honest education is the complete presentation, thorough examination, and intentional discussion of historical and current events, behaviors, societal trends, and the hard truths that define the contours of our nation. It reflects and affirms diverse perspectives and identities, including race, sex, identity, and faith. It is grounded in credible research, widely-accepted sources, and narratives of diverse lived experiences. It promotes open dialogue, debate, and thorough and thoughtful analysis of information. Honest education develops lifelong learners and engaged citizens who contribute to their communities, address complex issues, seek collaborative solutions, and help advance the betterment of society. 

https://freethoughtnow.org/beyond-belief-the-2025-secular-student-alliance-national-conference/ 

A Remarkable Development 

Two and a half years ago there was no Secular Student Alliance chapter at the University of Cincinnati. This month the SSA national conference will be held at the University of Cincinnati in collaboration with the SSA chapter there. This is a remarkable development in a rather short period of time. 

Around the time I became President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation Cincinnati Metro Chapter, I learned about the Secular Student Alliance and looked into the chapter I was told was at UC. I found out during COVID is was phased out. When I contacted SSA leaders in early 2023, I was asked to place SSA.lawn signs on the campus to solicit interest in SSA and hopefully restart a chapter. I placed four of them in high traffic areas. Following up several weeks later, I was told no students contacted them. Disappointing at the time, and it seemed very unlikely that a chapter was going to happen. 

This turned out to be a good lesson about how in time a good thing can happen after it doesn’t seem like it will. 

Almost a year later a Board member of ours, Bill Messer rechecked about any interest in SSA at UC and found out a new chapter was being formed. He made contact with the new leader and we attended their very first meeting. Since then we’ve established a mutually supportive relationship. That dedicated and ambitious leader, Hayden Miller, was able to receive approval by SSA to host this year’s conference. 

Here’s the link to information about the SSA conference that will have outstanding speakers with whom we are familiar. I and chapter VP Bill Messer, are volunteering to receive attendees at registration tables. https://secularstudents.org/conference/2025conference/ 

Mark Davis, President, Freedom From Religion Foundation Cincinnati Metro Chapter 

Pastor Jonathan Eilert of a local Lutheran Church spoke at the May meeting of the FFRF Cincy Metro Chapter about Separation of Church and State and his opposition to the Christian Nationalist movement which doesn’t represent true Christian beliefs.

To reinforce that point, he shared a declaration document by the Wisconsin Lutheran Churches strongly expressing support for Separation of Church and State and condemnation of Christian Nationalism. These views are also shared by Christians Against Christian Nationalism and the Baptist Joint Committee:

An op-ed from FFRF-CMC Board Member 'Jeff Tingle' was published in the Dayton Daily News.