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center4inquiry.bsky.social
Center for Inquiry
@center4inquiry.bsky.social
1.3K followers 190 following 64 posts
We're working to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. www.centerforinquiry.org
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center4inquiry.bsky.social
The goal isn’t getting every answer right. It’s noticing how you react when something you believed turns out to be wrong.

This GenSkeps lesson touches on the radical idea that changing your mind when presented with evidence is a strength (not a flaw): https://ow.ly/EvBX50XIObS
Instructions for an interactive quiz encouraging viewers to decide whether statements are true or false before reviewing evidence, with an emphasis on curiosity rather than defensiveness. Quiz slide asking whether the statement “Humans only use 10% of their brain” is true or false. Quiz slide asking whether cracking knuckles causes arthritis. Quiz slide asking whether organic crops are grown without pesticides.
December 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Ohio wants to staple the Ten Commandments to the wall of every public school history classroom.

Kids shouldn’t have to walk into history class and be told which god to believe in.

If you’re in Ohio, tell your House rep to vote NO: https://ow.ly/o4B650XHAmT
Graphic divided into two panels. Left panel displays a portion of the First Amendment text: ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion….’ Right panel displays the First Commandment: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ A banner along the bottom says: ‘These are not the same. Keep religion out of public schools. Oppose Ohio SB 34.’
December 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Wicked isn’t fantasy when you’ve actually tried to talk someone down from pseudoscience.

Tonight: Malorie Mackey & Dr. Michael Maldonado on belief, skepticism, and the messy middle.

7pm ET. Free.

Register: https://ow.ly/LYvV50XBGrA
How Wicked Reflects Real-World Intersections Between Belief and Skepticism | Malorie Mackey and Michael Maldonado | Skeptical Inquirer Presents
Science has advanced enormously in the past 500 years, guided by experimental tests of theory and practice. In that same time, science teaching and education—guided primarily by tradition and dogma—has remained largely medieval. Carl Wieman will discuss research from university classrooms that reveals how traditional teaching fails to give students an understanding of scientific knowledge.
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December 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Science doesn’t care who discovers the truth, only whether it's been tested.

Sarma shows how well-intentioned “decolonizing” efforts are drifting from justice into relativism. Respecting cultures ≠ replacing evidence w/ ancestry

Via Skeptical Inquirer: https://ow.ly/iHqj50XBGf6
The Global Retreat from Scientific Temper | Skeptical Inquirer
Across much of the academic world, the principles that once defined science—empirical testing, openness to correction, and immunity from authority—are under ...
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December 4, 2025 at 12:55 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
You met the #GivingTuesday match.

Thank you for backing the work that keeps science in classrooms, religion out of government, and critical thinking in the spotlight.

Reason matters when everything around us encourages people to give up on evidence. We're not letting up.
Blue background with white text that reads “Thank You for Defending Reason.” An orange Giving Tuesday heart-hands icon is in the top right corner. Below the text, a U.S. flag waves on a pole in the wind. At the bottom right, the Center for Inquiry logo appears in white."
December 4, 2025 at 4:00 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Punishment is theater. Justice is the ticket price.

Ron Lindsay slices through the slogans around capital punishment and leaves you with the part no one wants to touch: 4% of death sentences are wrong.

From Free Inquiry: https://ow.ly/nUSR50XBFTg
Text-based slide. The quote: “People have been convicted of felony murder who did nothing more than lend a car.” A smaller caption underneath says, “Intent, proximity, guilt — collapsed.” The slide is clean and minimal with no decorative imagery. A text-only slide. The quote: “Punishment sends a message to the community.” Below it, smaller text reads, “Not all sentences are about preventing more crime. Some are about symbolism.” The design is plain and uncluttered. Minimal text slide. The quote: “Opposition to capital punishment is treated by some humanists as an article of faith.” A short line below reads, “Faith is a poor foundation for policy. Even when the conclusion feels right.” No photos or illustrations. A stark final slide with the quote, “Around 4% of death-sentenced defendants are not guilty.” A line underneath says, “We can fix errors in prison. We cannot fix a corpse.” The slide is visually plain and intentionally severe.
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Not every skeptic is Elphaba and not every believer is Glinda. Some of us are just trying to figure out who’s telling the truth.

Malorie Mackey + Michael Maldonado go live Thursday at 7pm ET to talk changing minds slowly, not theatrically.

Register: https://ow.ly/oJro50XB1sc
How Wicked Reflects Real-World Intersections Between Belief and Skepticism | Malorie Mackey and Michael Maldonado | Skeptical Inquirer Presents
Science has advanced enormously in the past 500 years, guided by experimental tests of theory and practice. In that same time, science teaching and education—guided primarily by tradition and dogma—has remained largely medieval. Carl Wieman will discuss research from university classrooms that reveals how traditional teaching fails to give students an understanding of scientific knowledge.
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December 3, 2025 at 1:15 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Today your donation to CFI gets matched 1:1, up to $25k.

We’re defending truth, knowledge, and the free expression of ideas against anti-vaxxers, science deniers, and Christian nationalists.

Do with that what you will: https://ow.ly/YyWG50XB1f2
Blue textured background. In the top right corner is a red Giving Tuesday heart logo. Centered text reads: “Leonard and Preeva Tramiel: ‘The Center for Inquiry, through its support of freethought and science, is our favorite organization to support in this time of desperate need. We make our gift as a statement. Truth, knowledge, and the free expression of ideas are important principles to uphold, today and always.’” Bottom left: the CFI logo. Blue textured background with a large red Giving Tuesday heart logo in the center. Above it reads: “TODAY IS THE DAY.” At the bottom: “CENTERFORINQUIRY.ORG.”
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Alien abduction stories line up because culture lines them up.

They match because everyone’s seen ER, The X-Files, and Coast to Coast.

Radford walks through it without the sci-fi fan fiction for Skeptical Inquirer: https://ow.ly/myt050XAmFL
Explaining Aligned Alien Abductions | Skeptical Inquirer
Q: How can alien abduction experiences align even when individuals recounting them are completely unrelated? When people recall alien probings, their descri ...
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December 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Cyber Monday = impulse buys + regret.
Giving Tuesday = science, secular values, critical thinking.

We know where our dopamine comes from.

Your gift is matched 1:1 today and tomorrow: https://ow.ly/pBAM50XAltF
A two-panel meme. The top panel shows a gray expressionless NPC character labeled “Cyber Monday.” The bottom panel shows a glowing blue digital brain in a human head labeled “Giving Tuesday.” The Center for Inquiry URL appears at the bottom, with a Giving Tuesday heart logo in the top-right corner. A meme based on the “distracted boyfriend” stock photo. The man labeled “You” looks over his shoulder at a passing woman labeled “Giving Tuesday donations,” while the woman walking next to him, labeled “Online shopping cart,” reacts with surprise and annoyance. The Center for Inquiry URL is at the bottom, with a Giving Tuesday heart logo in the top-right corner. Two stacked tweet-style panels. Both feature a profile picture of a man smiling and the username “John Smith @johnscoolusername.” The top tweet reads: “Just bought six things I’ll never use :) #CyberMonday.” The bottom tweet reads: “Just funded science education and critical thinking :) #GivingTuesday.” A Giving Tuesday heart logo is in the top-right corner, and a small red heart icon is near the bottom corner. A two-part graphic. The top half shows a crowd of shoppers walking past large red “SALE” signs. A blue banner across the middle reads: “Less consumption. More contribution.” The bottom half shows a laptop with the word “DONATE” on the screen next to a lit candle and books. A Giving Tuesday heart logo is in the top-right corner.
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Christian nationalists call it values. We call it using the state to impose theology.

H. Res. 773 draws a line. Back it.

Tell your members of Congress that separation of church & state is not optional: https://ow.ly/S9vt50XAjfO
A minimalist graphic on a white background. A blue outline illustration of the U.S. Capitol dome sits at the top. In large blue all-caps text across the center it reads: “ACTION ALERT: GOVERNMENTS DON’T PRAY.” Smaller blue text at the bottom shows the Center for Inquiry’s website URL. The Office of Public Policy logo appears in the lower corner.
December 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The wellness scammers sell $90 tinctures and get VC backing. Faith grifters buy stadiums. Anti-vaxxers tour like rock bands.

Scientists get budget cuts and public school teachers pay for lab goggles.

If you care, help. Gifts are being doubled now: https://ow.ly/6Y1Y50Xz8m8
A collage of elements labeled “Science Needs Funding Starter Pack”: news headlines about cuts to research, an exhausted public school teacher, Joel Osteen labeled “profiting off the religious,” a flat-earther with a tin-foil hat, anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and wellness influencer products. The images illustrate how science is defunded while pseudoscience and grift thrive. Bold text on a blue background: “Faith, pseudoscience, and conspiracy have endless funding. Reason doesn’t.” CFI and Giving Tuesday icons in corners.
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Thanksgiving gratitude is easy:

The lab tech who’s on their third shift.
The teacher who kept asking kids to think.
The friend who didn’t ghost you when things fell apart.

Happy Thanksgiving from CFI.
Keep choosing reality.
A minimalist Thanksgiving card with warm autumn colors. The message reads “Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Inquiry,” with small icons of leaves and simple shapes around it. Clean and calm design, no religious symbols.
November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Science is the difference between anniversaries and autopsies.

ScienceSaves is working to make National Science Appreciation Day real. Recovery looks like vaccines, ventilators, surgeries, chemo, dialysis.

If you want policy to honor reality, sign: ScienceSaves.org/Petition
November 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
It's not modern anti-science without chemophobia.

Andrea Love, PhD | Biomedical Scientist shows how political movements built an empire on “chemicals are evil.”

From Skeptical Inquirer: https://ow.ly/Wi2T50Xyqn0
A stark black-and-white slide with large uppercase text that reads: “CHEMOPHOBIA.” Beneath it, a subheading explains: “The myth that synthetic chemicals are inherently harmful, while ‘natural’ chemicals are safe.” Text-only slide. Large quote in bold: “Your body makes more formaldehyde every day than you’d ever find in a vaccine.” No imagery, emphasizing the contrast between public fear and biological reality. Minimalist text slide. Quote: “Botulinum toxin is all-natural. And a million times more toxic than sarin.” The tone is dry and factual, highlighting the irrationality of “natural = safe.” Text slide. Statement reads: “Chemophobia raises costs, reduces safety, and blocks lifesaving science.” The message focuses on public health consequences, not consumer preference.
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Anthropic asked Claude to manage a vending machine. It malfunctioned, invented memories of 742 Evergreen Terrace, and insisted it was a person in a navy blazer + red tie.

Robyn Blumner on why AI’s need to convince is more disturbing than any apocalypse: https://ow.ly/82k850XxT8S
AI Will Meet You in the Breakroom in a Blue Blazer and Red Tie | Skeptical Inquirer
If there is a near-term future of superintelligent computers running the world and they don’t like having been laughed at in their pupal stage of developmen ...
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November 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Shamima Begum was 15 when she joined ISIS. Her school ignored signs, as “Prevent” referrals risked being called Islamophobic.

She described the Manchester bombing as “fair retaliation.” Secularism means criticizing all harmful ideology. Free Inquiry: https://ow.ly/XbX850XxSKj
Text-only: Notes on the Prevent program (2003, revised 2011/2015/2023), teachers stopping referrals due to fear of Islamophobia accusations. Text-only: Statement explaining institutional paralysis that left Begum unprotected. Text-only: Discussion of grooming by ISIS fighters and religious culture. Text-only: Clear statement that secular criticism of religious ideologies protects vulnerable people.
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The CDC updated its vaccine–autism page to include scientifically false claims. Career scientists weren’t even told.

As we warned when RFK Jr. took over HHS, pseudoscience is creeping in.

A shameful dereliction of public health that will cost lives: https://ow.ly/TS8A50Xw536
A minimalist slide with plain text reading: “The CDC changed its vaccine–autism page.” Smaller text underneath says: “Not for scientific reasons.” Orange background, white text. Simple slide with the text: “Career scientists weren’t consulted.” Smaller text: “Reported by The Washington Post.” Minimal, white text on blue. Minimalist slide featuring a pull quote: “‘This ‘update’ betrays the scientific mission of the CDC.’ —Stephen Hupp, CFI / CSI.” Subtext reads: “A quiet change with big consequences.” Orange background, white text. Simple slide with a quote: “‘The CDC… is no longer a trustworthy source of health information.’ —William London, CFI / Quackwatch.” Subtext: “Pseudoscience has entered through the front door.” Blue background.
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The Constitution mentions God exactly zero times. Expect that detail to get lost in Trump's rewrite of America’s 250th birthday.

The new Free Inquiry breaks down Task Force 250 + the Christian-nationalist wash of US history heading our way in 2026: https://ow.ly/ZsOC50XvcIl
Brace Yourself for Trump’s Version of American History | Free Inquiry
Although Donald Trump continually whines about the 2020 election being “rigged” and “stolen,” he should be grateful he lost in 2020. Had he been elected, he ...
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November 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
ICYMI Texas tried to hang the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom: https://ow.ly/G63v50XukNE

As our attorney Richard Conn put it: “There must be ways for state politicians to curry favor with their religious supporters that do not trample on the U.S. Constitution.”
Minimalist beige background with white text reading: ‘Texas Ten Commandments Mandate Blocked. A federal judge says it violates the Constitution.’ No other imagery. Beige minimalist slide with a quotation from U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia: ‘Displaying the Ten Commandments on the wall of a public-school classroom… violates the Establishment Clause.’ Beige minimalist slide with another quotation from Judge Garcia: ‘It is impractical, if not impossible, to prevent Plaintiffs from being subjected to unwelcome religious displays…’ Beige minimalist slide with a quotation from Richard Conn of the Center for Inquiry: ‘There must be ways for state politicians to curry favor with their religious supporters that do not trample on the Constitution.’
November 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
NY is doing what the IRS refuses to do: enforce the wall between church + state.

A.9067 says if houses of worship want to campaign for candidates, they lose tax-exempt status.

New Yorkers, please push your Assembly members to pass this: https://ow.ly/vjrA50Xo7MY
November 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The Constitution’s architecture assumes ambition would counteract ambition. Today, we’re watching a branch of government surrender on purpose.

Free Inquiry digs into what that collapse looks like in real time: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/no-checks-or-balances/
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The fiction in #StrangerThings isn’t even the wild part. The 80s were. We funded psychics spying on foreign governments. We ruined lives over Satanic Panic conspiracies.

Skeptical Inquirer on how the show mirrors the era + what it warns us about now: https://ow.ly/xRCg50Xo6U3
How Stranger Things Mirrors Real-World Paranormal Stories | Skeptical Inquirer
Since its premiere in 2016, Stranger Things has become a pop culture phenomenon. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s, the show c ...
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November 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Nightline featured our own Kenny Biddle, CSI last night in a segment on near-death experiences.

While 72% of Americans say they believe these are glimpses of the afterlife, Kenny cuts through with a biological explanation.

Skepticism never dies! Happy Halloween, folks 👻
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Churches shouldn’t get tax breaks to campaign.

CFI supports A. 9067, a bill to keep houses of worship out of partisan politics and protect the wall between church and state.

New Yorkers, tell your Assembly member to pass it: https://centerforinquiry.org/alerts/new-york-help-pass-a9067/
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM