Center for Inquiry#Publications

The Center for Inquiry was established in 1991 by atheist philosopher and author Paul Kurtz.{{cite web

|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-kurtz/paul-kurtz-giant-of-humanism-dead-at-86-idUSBRE89L19D20121022

|title=Paul Kurtz, 'giant' of humanism, dead at 86

|last=Evans

|first=Robert

|date=October 22, 2012

|work=Reuters

|access-date=April 30, 2020

|archive-date=September 24, 2015

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924171448/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/22/us-religion-kurtz-idUSBRE89L19D20121022

|url-status=live

}} It brought together two organizations: the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (founded by Kurtz in 1976) and the Council for Secular Humanism (founded by Kurtz in 1980).{{cite news

|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/54465-obituary-paul-kurtz.html

|title=Obituary: Paul Kurtz

|date=October 23, 2012

|work=Publishers Weekly

|access-date=April 30, 2020

}}

{{cite book

|last=Cooke

|first=Bill

|date=2009

|title=Dictionary Of Atheism Skepticism & Humanism

|publisher=Prometheus Books

|page=310

|isbn=978-1591022992

}} The Center for Inquiry Inc was registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in April 2001.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-09 |title=Nonprofit Explorer: Center For Inquiry Inc |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/222306795 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}

Kurtz, a humanist who founded CFI to offer a positive alternative to religion, led the organization for thirty years. In 2009, Kurtz said he was forced out of CFI after conflict with Ronald A. Lindsay, a corporate lawyer hired to become CEO in 2008.{{cite news

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/us/02beliefs.html

|title=Closer Look at Rift Between Humanists Reveals Deeper Divisions

|last=Oppenheimer

|first=Mark

|date=October 1, 2010

|work=The New York Times

|access-date=May 1, 2020

|archive-date=December 19, 2019

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219182745/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/us/02beliefs.html

|url-status=live

}}

Robyn Blumner succeeded Lindsay as CEO in January 2016 when CFI announced that it was merging with the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.{{cite web

|url=https://rlp.hds.harvard.edu/news/merger-creates-americas-largest-secular-humanist-organization

|title=Merger Creates America's Largest Secular Humanist Organization

|last=Matas

|first=Caroline

|date=February 11, 2016

|publisher=The Religious Literacy Project, Harvard Divinity School

|access-date=May 1, 2020

|archive-date=March 24, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324000059/https://rlp.hds.harvard.edu/news/merger-creates-americas-largest-secular-humanist-organization

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Union-of-Atheist-Nonprofits/235018

|title=Union of Atheist Nonprofits Forms Biggest U.S. Secular Group

|date=January 22, 2016

|work=The Chronicle of Philanthropy

|access-date=May 1, 2020

|archive-date=July 27, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727183113/https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Union-of-Atheist-Nonprofits/235018

|url-status=live

}}{{cite AV media

|url=https://news.wbfo.org/post/merger-creates-nations-largest-secular-organization#stream/0

|url-status=dead

|title=Merger creates nation's largest secular organization

|last=Buckley

|first=Eileen

|date=January 22, 2016

|publisher=WBFO NPR Buffalo Toronto

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727195734/https://news.wbfo.org/post/merger-creates-nations-largest-secular-organization

|archive-date=2020-07-27

}}{{cite news

|url=https://religionnews.com/2016/01/21/royal-wedding-atheist-group-richard-dawkins-foundation-launches-woman-top-post/

|title='Royal wedding' of atheist group, Richard Dawkins Foundation launches woman to top post

|last=Winston

|first=Kimberly

|date=January 21, 2016

|work=Religion News Service

|access-date=April 29, 2020

|archive-date=April 23, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423093252/https://religionnews.com/2016/01/21/royal-wedding-atheist-group-richard-dawkins-foundation-launches-woman-top-post/

|url-status=live

}}

File:Nickell in office.jpg, Research Fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, in office. Amherst, New York, 2013.]]

Through the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), and its journal, Skeptical Inquirer magazine, published by the Center for Inquiry, CSI examines evidential claims of the paranormal or supernormal, including psychics, ghosts, telepathy, clairvoyance, UFOs, and creationism. It also hosts the CSICon.

They also examine pseudoscientific claims involving vaccines, cellphones, power lines, GMOs, and alternative medicine. In the area of religion, they examine beliefs that involve testable claims, such as faith healing and creationism, but stay away from untestable religious beliefs such as the existence of God.{{

cite web

|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rationally-speaking/200910/the-scope-skeptical-inquiry

|title=On the scope of skeptical inquiry

|last=Pigliucci

|first=Massimo

|author-link=Massimo Pigliucci

|date=Oct 26, 2009

|work=Psychology Today

|access-date=May 17, 2020

}}

The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), then known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), was, alongside magician and prominent skeptic James Randi, sued by TV celebrity Uri Geller in the 1990s after Randi told a newspaper interviewer that Geller's tricks "are the kind that used to be on the back of cereal boxes when I was a kid."{{cite web

|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-13-vw-2279-story.html

|title=The Psychic... and the Skeptic: Uri Geller and James Randi have fought each other for nearly 20 years. Now they're at it again.

|last=Ybarra

|first=Michael J.

|author-link=Michael J. Ybarra

|date=September 13, 1991

|work=Los Angeles Times

|access-date=May 17, 2020

|archive-date=July 27, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727184316/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-13-vw-2279-story.html

|url-status=live

}} The case ran for several years, and was ultimately settled in 1995 with Geller ordered to pay the legal costs of Randi and CSICOP.{{cite news

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/12/10/psychic-cant-bend-opinion/a9f12d6b-255a-4acb-b224-30f02633e7ef/

|title=Psychic Can't Bend Opinion

|last=Locy

|first=Toni

|date=December 10, 1994

|newspaper=The Washington Post

|access-date=May 17, 2020

|archive-date=August 18, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818113003/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/12/10/psychic-cant-bend-opinion/a9f12d6b-255a-4acb-b224-30f02633e7ef/

|url-status=live

}}{{cite wikisource |wslink=Geller v. Randi |title=Uri Geller vs. James Randi decision}}

File:25 Wendy PB Picture.jpg

The Investigations Group (Formerly the Independent Investigations Group), a volunteer group based at CFI Los Angeles, undertakes experimental testing of fringe claims.{{cite web

|url=http://www.ustream.tv/channel/clairaudient-test

|title=ClairAudient Test

|publisher=Ustream

|date=2011-08-21

|access-date=September 3, 2014

|archive-date=September 4, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904102125/http://www.ustream.tv/channel/clairaudient-test

|url-status=dead

}} It offers a cash prize of US$500,000 for successful demonstration of supernatural effects.{{Cite web |title=The CFIIG Paranormal Challenge |date=April 8, 2012 |url=https://cfiig.org/paranormal-challenge |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230225035437/https://cfiig.org/paranormal-challenge/ |archive-date=25 February 2023 |access-date=24 February 2023 |publisher=CFI Investigations Group |quote=CFIIG will work with applicants to design the test protocol and define the conditions under which the test will take place. In most cases, the applicant will be asked to perform an informal demonstration of the claimed ability or phenomenon; if the demonstration is successful, it will be followed by a formal test, which will be administered by CFIIG representatives.}} This prize had been previously raised to US$250,000 when the IIG re-branded as the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) in 2020 before it was raised again to the current amount.{{cite web |date=April 8, 2012 |title=The $250k Challenge |url=https://cfiig.org/250k-challenge/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929234048/https://cfiig.org/250k-challenge/ |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-13 |publisher=Center for Inquiry Investigations Group}}

The IIG Awards (known as "Iggies") are presented for "scientific and critical thinking in mainstream entertainment". IIG has investigated, amongst other things, power bracelets, psychic detectives and a 'telepathic wonder dog'.

File:Council for Secular Humanism logo.png

The center promotes critical inquiry into the foundations and social effects of the world religions. Since 1983, initially through its connection with Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion, it has focused on such issues as fundamentalism in Christianity and Islam, humanistic alternatives to religious ethics, and religious sources of political violence. It has taken part in protests against religious persecution around the world{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Gryboski |title=Ted Cruz Joins Demonstrators in Front of White House; Calls on Obama to Help Imprisoned Sudanese Christian Woman |work=The Christian Post |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/ted-cruz-joins-demonstrators-in-front-of-white-house-calls-on-obama-to-help-imprisoned-sudanese-christian-woman-121430/ |date=2014-06-12 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904082259/http://www.christianpost.com/news/ted-cruz-joins-demonstrators-in-front-of-white-house-calls-on-obama-to-help-imprisoned-sudanese-christian-woman-121430/ |url-status=live }} and opposes religious privilege, for example benefits for clergy in the US Tax Code.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cfi_tells_federal_court_end_taxpayer_funding_of_clergy_housing/ |title=CFI Tells Federal Court: End Taxpayer Funding of Clergy Housing |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2014-06-24 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904091819/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cfi_tells_federal_court_end_taxpayer_funding_of_clergy_housing/ |url-status=live }} In 2014 and 2017, respectively, the CFI won two lawsuits compelling the states of Illinois and Indiana to allow weddings to be performed by officiants who are neither religious clergy nor government officials. A similar lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of marriage law in Texas was dismissed in August 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/08/21/this-non-profit-is-fighting-give-non-religious-couples-more-choice-who-marries-them-texas-just-dealt-them-setback/ |title=This nonprofit is fighting to give nonreligious couples more choice in who marries them. Texas just dealt them a setback. |first=Hannah |last=Natanson |date=2019-08-21 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914125608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/08/21/this-non-profit-is-fighting-give-non-religious-couples-more-choice-who-marries-them-texas-just-dealt-them-setback/ |url-status=live }}

CFI actively supports secular interests, such as secular state education.{{cite news

|first=Kimberly

|last=Winston

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/supreme-court-prayer-ruling-may-spur-new-alliances-_-resend/2014/05/08/12b93e52-d6d8-11e3-8f7d-7786660fff7c_story.html

|title=Supreme Court prayer ruling may spur new alliances

|newspaper=The Washington Post

|url-access=limited

|access-date=2014-06-09

|archive-date=December 11, 2018

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211172802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/supreme-court-prayer-ruling-may-spur-new-alliances-_-resend/2014/05/08/12b93e52-d6d8-11e3-8f7d-7786660fff7c_story.html

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url=http://acton.wickedlocal.com/article/20140509/News/140506125

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609101016/http://acton.wickedlocal.com/article/20140509/News/140506125

|archive-date=2014-06-09

|title=Mass. High Court upholds 'under God' in pledge |location=Acton, MA |work=The Beacon |publisher=GateHouse Media

|date=2014-05-09

|access-date=2014-06-09}} It organizes conferences, such as Women In Secularism{{cite web

|url=http://www.womeninsecularism.org/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609110107/http://www.womeninsecularism.org/

|archive-date=2014-06-09

|title=Women in Secularism III: 2014 Conference in Alexandria, VA

|publisher=Center for Inquiry

|date=2014-04-25

|access-date=2014-06-09}}{{cite web

|first=Chris

|last=Stedman

|author-link=Chris Stedman

|title=Why atheists should care about transgender issues: A conversation with Kayley Whalen

|url=https://religionnews.com/2014/05/10/why-atheists-should-care-about-transgender-issues-a-conversation-with-kayley-whalen/

|work=Religion News Service

|date=2014-05-10

|access-date=2020-09-13

|archive-date=September 11, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911204950/https://religionnews.com/2014/05/10/why-atheists-should-care-about-transgender-issues-a-conversation-with-kayley-whalen/

|url-status=live

}} and a conference focused on freethought advocate Robert Ingersoll.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/celebrate_ingersoll_new_conference_august_16-17/ |title=Celebrate Ingersoll! New Conference August 16–17 |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2014-05-23 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904170805/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/celebrate_ingersoll_new_conference_august_16-17/ |url-status=live }} CFI has provided meeting and conference facilities to other skeptical organizations, for example an atheist of color conference on social justice.{{cite news

|last=Hutchinson

|first=Sikivu

|author-link=Sikivu Hutchinson

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/

|title=Atheism has a big race problem that no one's talking about

|newspaper=The Washington Post

|date=2014-06-25

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=October 7, 2017

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007202057/https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url=https://the-orbit.net/blackskeptics/2014/03/20/moving-social-justice-conference-october-14-cfi-los-angeles/

|title=Moving Social Justice Conference: October '14 CFI-Los Angeles

|work=Black Skeptics

|publisher=The Orbit

|date=March 20, 2014

|access-date=September 13, 2020

|archive-date=August 3, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803171702/https://the-orbit.net/blackskeptics/2014/03/20/moving-social-justice-conference-october-14-cfi-los-angeles/

|url-status=live

}}

CFI also undertakes atheist education and support activities,{{cite web

|first=Colette M. |last=Jenkins

|author-link=Colette M. Jenkins

|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/akron/lifestyle/northeast-ohio-billboard-campaign-urges-nonbelievers-to-come-out-of-the-closet

|title=Northeast Ohio billboard campaign urges nonbelievers to 'come out of the closet'

|work=Akron Beacon Journal

|date=2014-05-17

|access-date=2020-09-13}} for example sending freethought books to prisoners as part of its Freethought Books Project.{{cite news |first=Stoyan |last=Zaimov |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/secular-group-to-send-freethought-books-to-prisoners-as-alternative-to-religion-112609/ |title=Secular Group to Send 'Freethought' Books to Prisoners as Alternative to Religion |work=The Christian Post |date=2014-01-14 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904091007/http://www.christianpost.com/news/secular-group-to-send-freethought-books-to-prisoners-as-alternative-to-religion-112609/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Winston |first1=Kimberly |title=Atheist groups cater to a captive audience: Prisoners |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/25/atheists-prison-outreach/4797469/ |access-date=December 17, 2018 |work=USA Today |agency=Religion News Service |date=January 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218102126/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/25/atheists-prison-outreach/4797469/ |url-status=live }}

CFI is active in advocating free speech,{{cite web

|first=Rori

|last=Donaghy

|author-link=Rori Donaghy

|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-attempts-silence-ngo-human-rights-council

|title=Saudi Arabia attempts to silence NGO at Human Rights Council

|work=Middle East Eye

|date=2015-02-12

|access-date=2020-09-13

|archive-date=December 3, 2020

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203142548/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-attempts-silence-ngo-human-rights-council

|url-status=live

}} and in promoting secular government.{{cite news |url=https://www.troyrecord.com/news/atheist-to-deliver-town-s-opening-prayer/article_c3be5b7e-efe9-5b96-86ca-4c6bde28783b.html |title=Atheist to deliver town's opening prayer |work=The Record |location=Troy, New York |agency=Associated Press |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224153550/https://www.troyrecord.com/news/atheist-to-deliver-town-s-opening-prayer/article_c3be5b7e-efe9-5b96-86ca-4c6bde28783b.html |url-status=dead }} It speaks against institutional religion in the armed forces.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Gryboski |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/to-expand-religious-freedom-in-the-military-republicans-need-to-win-the-senate-congressman-says-120507/ |title=To Expand Religious Freedom in the Military, Republicans Need to Win the Senate, Congressman Says |work=The Christian Post |date=2014-05-28 |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730144648/https://www.christianpost.com/news/to-expand-religious-freedom-in-the-military-republicans-need-to-win-the-senate-congressman-says-120507/ |url-status=live }}

Free Inquiry is published by the Center for Inquiry, in association with the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH).

File:Tom Flynn at lectern, banner-5.jpg, editor of Free Inquiry, gives a presentation on the Freethought Trail.]]

The results of research and activities supported by the center and its affiliates are published and distributed to the public in seventeen separate national and international magazines, journals, and newsletters. Among them are CSH's Free Inquiry and Secular Humanist Bulletin,{{cite web

|url = http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/articles/category/shb

|title = Secular Humanist Bulletin

|publisher = The Council For Secular Humanism

|date = 2008-11-11

|access-date = 2014-06-16

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140615170447/http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/articles/category/shb

|archive-date = 2014-06-15

|url-status = dead

}} and CSI's Skeptical Inquirer, CFI's American Rationalist.The American Rationalist volume LVII May/June 2011, Number 3, {{ISSN|0003-0708}}. The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine, The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice{{cite web |url=http://www.srmhp.org/ |title=Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice |publisher=Srmhp.org |access-date=2014-03-01 |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915073516/http://www.srmhp.org/ |url-status=live }} and Philo, a journal covering philosophical issues, are no longer being published.

In June 2020, CFI announced the "newly launched CFI online publication", Pensar, "the Spanish language magazine for science, reason, and freethought." It is published by Alejandro Borgo, director of CFI Argentina.{{cite web |title=Introducing PENSAR: Spanish Language Skeptic Magazine |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/introducing-pensar-spanish-language-skeptic-magazine/ |website=Skepticalinquirer.org |publisher=CFI |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205122347/https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/introducing-pensar-spanish-language-skeptic-magazine/ |archive-date=5 December 2020 |date=17 June 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Pensar (Home) |url=https://pensar.org/ |website=pensar.org |publisher=CFI |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226165154/https://pensar.org/ |url-status=live }}

CFI has produced the weekly radio show and podcast, Point of Inquiry, since 2005. Episodes are available free for download from iTunes. Its current hosts, {{As of |June 2020 |lc=y}}, are Leighann Lord and James Underdown. Notable guests have included Steven Pinker, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins.

The Center for Inquiry has an emergency fund called Secular Rescue, formerly known as the Freethought Emergency Fund. Between 2015 and 2018, Secular Rescue helped thirty individuals fleeing anti-secular regimes gain asylum.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/the-underground-railroad-to-save-atheists/550229|title=The 'Underground Railroad' To Save Atheists|first=David|last=Robson|magazine=The Atlantic|date=2018-01-18|access-date=2018-02-14|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143616/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/the-underground-railroad-to-save-atheists/550229/|url-status=live}}

The Office of Public Policy (OPP) is the Washington, D.C., political arm of the Center for Inquiry. The OPP's mandate is to lobby Congress and the Administration on issues related to science and secularism. This includes defending the separation of church and state, promoting science and reason as the basis of public policy, and advancing secular values.{{cite web |url=http://centerforinquiry.net/opp/ |title=CFI Office of Public Policy |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=2014-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322061816/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/opp |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

The OPP publishes position statements on its subjects of interest. Examples have included acupuncture, climate change, contraception and intelligent design.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/opp/opp_work/category/positions/ |title=CFI Office of Public Policy |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627160430/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/opp/opp_work/category/positions/ |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |url-status=dead }} The Office is an active participant in legal matters, providing experts for Congress testimony and amicus briefs in Supreme Court cases.{{cite web

|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/newsroom/cfi_tells_supreme_court_hobby_lobby/

|title=Press release – Amicus brief to Supreme Court

|publisher=Center For Inquiry

|date=January 28, 2014

|access-date=February 6, 2014

|archive-date=February 3, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203034901/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/newsroom/cfi_tells_supreme_court_hobby_lobby/

|url-status=live

}} It publishes a list of bills it considers of interest as they pass through the U.S. legislative process.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/opp/opp_work/category/bills/ |title=CFI Office of Public Policy |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727152204/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/opp/opp_work/category/bills/ |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

In partnership with the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, CFI offers an accredited Master of Education program in Science and the Public, available entirely online.{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalo.edu/gse/online/programs/masters/science.html|title=Science and the Public, EdM|publisher=University at Buffalo|access-date=2017-07-09|archive-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707021501/http://www.buffalo.edu/gse/online/programs/masters/science.html|url-status=live}} Aimed at students preparing for careers in research, science education, public policy, science journalism, or further study in sociology, history, and philosophy of science, science communication, education, or public administration, the program explores the methods and outlook of science as they intersect with public culture, scientific literacy, and public policy.

In February 2020, Quackwatch, founded by Stephen Barrett, became part of CFI, which announced it plans to maintain its various websites and to receive Barrett's library later in the year.{{cite web |last1=Fidalgo |first1=Paul |title=Quackwatch Joins the Center for Inquiry |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/quackwatch-joins-the-center-for-inquiry/ |website=Center for Inquiry |date=February 26, 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226182148/https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/quackwatch-joins-the-center-for-inquiry/ |url-status=live }}

ScienceSaves is a nationwide pro-science campaign to generate an appreciation for the role of science. National Science Appreciation Day started in 2022 and is part of the ScienceSaves initiative and happens annually on March 26.{{cite web |title=Science Advocates Call for Governors to Declare a National Science Appreciation Day |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/science-advocates-call-for-governors-to-declare-a-national-science-appreciation-day/ |website=Center for Inquiry |date=November 11, 2021 |publisher=Center for Inquiry, Inc |access-date=7 April 2022}} In 2022, CFI got proclamations declaring March 26 as National Science Appreciation Day from more than a dozen states.{{cite web |title=State Proclamations |url=https://sciencesaves.org/state-proclamations/ |website=ScienceSaves |date=March 21, 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022 |ref=Center for Inquiry, Inc}}

{{Main article|Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science}}

This program provides teachers with tools to teach evolution.

{{Main|Richard Dawkins Award}}

The Richard Dawkins Award is an annual award that was presented by the Atheist Alliance of America{{Cite web|url=http://atheistallianceamerica.org/the-richard-dawkins-award/|title=The Richard Dawkins Award|website=Serving the Atheist Community for More Than 20 Years|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-25|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222094120/http://www.atheistallianceamerica.org/the-richard-dawkins-award/|url-status=live}} up until July 2019, when it moved to the Center for Inquiry (CFI). According to the CFI press release, "The recipient will be a distinguished individual from the worlds of science, scholarship, education or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism, upholding scientific truth wherever it may lead".{{cite web |title=Richard Dawkins Award Moving to the Center for Inquiry |date=April 16, 2019 |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/richard-dawkins-award-moving-to-the-center-for-inquiry/ |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=1 August 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302124516/https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/richard-dawkins-award-moving-to-the-center-for-inquiry/ |url-status=live }} The award has been presented since 2003, and is named after Richard Dawkins, an English evolutionary biologist who was named the world's top thinker in a 2013 reader's poll of Prospect magazine.{{cite news|title=Richard Dawkins named world's top thinker in poll|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/apr/25/richard-dawkins-named-top-thinker|work=theguardian.com|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112212108/http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/apr/25/richard-dawkins-named-top-thinker|url-status=live}}

The following projects and programs are no longer active.

The Center for Inquiry organized an annual summer camp for children called Camp Inquiry,{{cite web |url=http://www.campinquiry.org/ |title=Camp Inquiry |location=Holland, New York |publisher=Campinquiry.org |access-date=2014-03-01 |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615055050/http://www.campinquiry.org/ |url-status=live }} focusing on scientific literacy, critical thinking, naturalism, the arts, humanities, and humanist ethical development.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93174374 |title=Camp Offers Training Ground For Little Skeptics |website=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124045725/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93174374 |url-status=live }} Camp Inquiry has been described as "a summer camp for kids with questions"{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/angie-mcquaig/camp-inquiry-a-summer-cam_b_645900.html |title=Angie McQuaig: Camp Inquiry: A Summer Camp for Kids With Questions |date=July 15, 2010 |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |access-date=2014-06-29 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904074920/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/angie-mcquaig/camp-inquiry-a-summer-cam_b_645900.html |url-status=live }} where spooky stories were followed by "reverse engineering sessions" as the participants were encouraged to determine the cause of an apparently supernatural experience. Camp Inquiry has been criticised as "Jesus Camp in reverse"; its organisers countered that the camp is not exclusive to atheist children and that campers are encouraged to draw their own conclusions based on empirical and critical thinking.

The Center for Inquiry Institute{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/education/institute_catalogue/ |title=Institute Catalogue |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=2014-03-01 |archive-date=September 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923200849/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/education/institute_catalogue/ |url-status=live }} offered undergraduate level online courses, seminars, and workshops in critical thinking and the scientific outlook and its implications for religion, human values, and the borderlands of science. In addition to transferable undergraduate credit through the University at Buffalo system, CFI offered a thirty-credit-hour Certificate of Proficiency in Critical Inquiry. The three-year curriculum plan offered summer sessions at the main campus at the University at Buffalo in Amherst.

The Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health (CSMMH){{cite web|url=http://www.csmmh.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925212414/http://www.csmmh.org/ |archive-date=2010-09-25 |title=CSMMH |publisher=Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health |date=2010-09-25 |access-date=2014-03-03}} stimulated critical scientific scrutiny of New Age medicine and the schools of psychotherapy. It supported naturalistic addiction recovery practices through Secular Organizations for Sobriety. CFI challenges the claims of alternative medicine{{cite news

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-pseudoscience-of-homeopathy/2014/05/08/90e0de76-d55b-11e3-8f7d-7786660fff7c_story.html

|title=The pseudoscience of homeopathy

|newspaper=The Washington Post

|access-date=2014-06-09}} and advocates a scientific basis for healthcare.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cfi_and_csi_petition_fda_to_take_action_on_homeopathic_drugs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925001948/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/cfi_and_csi_petition_fda_to_take_action_on_homeopathic_drugs |archive-date=2011-09-25 |title=CFI and CSI Petition FDA to Take Action on Homeopathic Drugs

|publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2011-08-30 |access-date=2014-06-16}} CSMMH papers have covered topics such as pseudoscience in autism treatments{{cite journal

|url=http://www.srmhp.org/0401/media-watch.html

|title=Pseudoscience in Autism Treatment: Are the News and Entertainment Media Helping or Hurting?

|date=Spring–Summer 2005

|volume=4

|issue=1

|pages=55–58

|author=Riggott, Julie.

|journal=Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112175428/http://www.srmhp.org/0401/media-watch.html

|archive-date=2013-11-12

|url-status=dead

}} Professional organizations which issued position statements indicating that facilitated communication is not a scientifically valid technique; Most effective intervention for autism according to scientists; Symptoms of autism; Reason for the abundance of untested and ineffective therapies for autism and in psychiatry."Power Therapies and possible threats to the science of psychology and psychiatry". By: Devilly, Grant J. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Jun 2005, Vol. 39, Issue 6, pp. 437–445. This paper reviews a collection of new therapies collectively self-termed 'The Power Therapies', outlining their proposed procedures and the evidence for and against their use. These therapies are then put to the test for pseudoscientific practice. It is concluded that these new therapies have offered no new scientifically valid theories of action, show only non-specific efficacy, show no evidence that they offer substantive improvements to extant psychiatric care, yet display many characteristics consistent with pseudoscience.

CFI also ran the Naturalism Research Project, a major effort to develop the theoretical and practical applications of philosophical naturalism. As part of this project, CFI's libraries, research facilities, and conference areas were available to scientists and scholars to advance the understanding of science's methodologies and conclusions about naturalism.{{cite web

|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/research/

|title=Education

|publisher=Center for Inquiry

|date=n.d.

|access-date=2014-03-01

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401082720/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/research/

|archive-date=2012-04-01

|url-status=dead

}}

Activities of the Naturalism Research Project included lectures and seminars by visiting fellows and scholars; academic conferences; and support CFI publications of important research. Among the central issues of naturalism include the exploration of varieties of naturalism; problems in philosophy of science; the methodologies of scientific inquiry; naturalism and humanism; naturalistic ethics; planetary ethics; and naturalism and the biosciences.

{{cite news

| first=John

| last=Shook

| title=Center for Inquiry launches Naturalism Research Project

|date=March–April 2007

| volume=31

|number=2

| url =http://business.highbeam.com/5799/article-1G1-159963517/center-inquiry-launches-naturalism-research-project

| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183200/http://business.highbeam.com/5799/article-1G1-159963517/center-inquiry-launches-naturalism-research-project

| url-status =dead

| archive-date =2014-04-16

| work =Skeptical Inquirer}}

File:Rare Book Room 3.jpg

CFI is a nonprofit body registered as a charity in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about |title=About |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=2014-03-02 |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623220535/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/ |url-status=live }} It has 17 locations in the U.S., and has 16 international branches or affiliated organizations.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/branches|access-date=2014-02-28|title=About center For Inquiry|date=2013|archive-date=June 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615141407/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/branches|url-status=live}} The organization has Centers For Inquiry in Amherst, New York (its headquarters), Los Angeles, New York City, Tampa Bay, Washington, D.C., Indiana, Austin, Chicago, San Francisco and Michigan.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/branches

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615141407/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/branches

|archive-date=2014-06-15

|title=About | Center for Inquiry |publisher=Center for Inquiry

|date=2014-04-04 |access-date=2014-06-16}}

CFI has branches, representation or affiliated organizations in countries around the world. It organizes its international activities under the banner Center For Inquiry Transnational. In addition, CFI holds consultative status to the United Nations as an NGO under the UN Economic and Social Council.{{cite web

|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/unitednations

|title=UN

|publisher=Center for Inquiry

|access-date=2014-06-16

|archive-date=July 23, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723141216/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/unitednations/

|url-status=live

}} The center participates in UN Human Rights Council debates, for example a debate on the subject of female genital mutilation during 2014.{{cite web |url=http://fr.starafrica.com/actualites/le-conseil-des-droits-de-lhomme-tient-une-reunion-debat-de-haut-niveau-sur-la-lute-contre-les-mutilations-genitales-feminines.html |title=Le Conseil des droits de l'homme tient une reunion-débat de haut niveau sur la lute contre les mutilations génitales féminines – Communiqués de presse |publisher=Fr.starafrica.com |date=2014-06-16 |access-date=2014-06-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904120328/http://fr.starafrica.com/actualites/le-conseil-des-droits-de-lhomme-tient-une-reunion-debat-de-haut-niveau-sur-la-lute-contre-les-mutilations-genitales-feminines.html |archive-date=2014-09-04 }}

International programs exist in Germany (Rossdorf), France (Nice), Spain (Bilbao), Poland (Warsaw), Nigeria (Ibadan), Uganda (Kampala), Kenya (Nairobi), Nepal (Kathmandu), India (Pune and Hyderabad), Egypt (Cairo), China (Beijing), New Zealand (Auckland), Peru (Lima), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Senegal (Dakar), Zambia (Lusaka), and Bangladesh (Dhaka).{{cite web

|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/oncampus/groups/index/

|title=Center For Inquiry On Campus locations

|access-date=2014-06-25

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018182553/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/oncampus/groups/index/

|archive-date=2013-10-18

|url-status=dead

}}

{{Main|Centre for Inquiry Canada}}

CFI Canada (CFIC) is the Canadian branch of CFI Transnational, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Justin Trottier served as National Executive Director from 2007 to 2011. Originally established and supported in part by CFI Transnational, CFI Canada has become an independent Canadian national organization with several provincial branches. CFI Canada has branches in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, Okanagan (Kelowna), and Vancouver.

Organizations affiliated with the Center for Inquiry include:

• Centre for Inquiry Canada
• Centre for Inquiry UKCFI UK is a section of the British Humanist Association{{cite web |url=http://centreforinquiry.org.uk/ |title=Centre for Inquiry UK |publisher=Centreforinquiry.org.uk |access-date=2014-06-16 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607132446/http://centreforinquiry.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}
• Institute for the Secularisation of Islamic Society (see below)
• Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)
• Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER)
• Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health Practice (CSMMH)
• International Academy of Humanism
• Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science

The Institute for the Secularisation of Islamic Society (ISIS) is an organization of writers that promotes the ideas of secularism, democracy and human rights within Islamic society.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9q0y21B9BoUC&dq=Institute+for+the+Secularisation+of+Islamic+Society&pg=PA431|title=Leaving Islam: Apostates Speak Out|editor=Ibn Warraq|editor-link=Ibn Warraq|year=2003|publisher=Prometheus Books|isbn=978-1591020684}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3CpLB-6qlY0C&dq=%22Institute+for+the+Secularisation+of+Islamic+Society%22&pg=PA407|title=Faith in Faithlessness: An Anthology of Atheism|author=Dimitrios Roussopoulos|author-link=Dimitrios Roussopoulos|year=2007|isbn=978-1551643120|page=407|publisher=Black Rose Books }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tqM3UiM5VbcC&dq=%22Institute+for+the+Secularisation+of+Islamic+Society%22&pg=PA26|title=God Caesar and the Freedom of Religion|author=Elizabeth Warren|author-link=Elizabeth Warren|year=2003|publisher=Xlibris Corporation |isbn=978-1410748904}} Founded in 1998 by former Muslims, the best known being Ibn Warraq,{{cite journal|url=http://www.meforum.org/2069/defending-the-west|title=Defending the West|volume=XVI|issue=1|date=Winter 2009|author=A.J. Caschetta|journal=Middle East Quarterly|pages=77–79|access-date=2012-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509010107/http://www.meforum.org/2069/defending-the-west|archive-date=2012-05-09|url-status=live}} the group aims to combat theologically driven fanaticism, violence and terrorism. The organization subscribes to the rule of secular law, freedom of speech and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It does not promote any belief system or religious dogma.

CFI participates in media debates on science, health,{{cite web

|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/209611-dr-oz-gets-tough-treatment-on-weight-loss-claims/

|title=Dr. Oz's bad day on Capitol Hill

|publisher=TheHill

|date=2014-05-14

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=March 2, 2021

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302124537/https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/209611-dr-oz-gets-tough-treatment-on-weight-loss-claims

|url-status=live

}} religion and its other areas of interest. Its "Keep Healthcare Safe and Secular" campaign promotes scientifically sound healthcare.{{cite web

|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/safe_and_secular/

|title=CFI Launches Campaign to Keep Religion and Pseudoscience Out of Health Care

|publisher=Center for Inquiry

|date=2014-06-03

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=September 4, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904170808/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/safe_and_secular/

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|url=http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/05/3445016/secular-health-care/

|title=The Fight To Take Back Our Health Care System From Junk Science

|website=ThinkProgress

|date=2014-06-05

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=September 4, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904014319/http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/05/3445016/secular-health-care/

|url-status=live

}} It has been an outspoken critic of dubious and unscientific healthcare practices, and engages in public debate on the merit and legality of controversial medical techniques. In 2014, CEO Ron Lindsay publicly criticized Stanislaw Burzynski's controversial Texas cancer clinic.{{cite news

|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/24/new-charges-for-burzynski/13111483/

|newspaper=USA Today

|title=Texas medical board charges controversial cancer doctor

|date=2014-07-25

|author=Liz Szabo

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806184508/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/24/new-charges-for-burzynski/13111483/

|archive-date=2014-08-06

|url-status=dead

}}

CFI campaigns for a secular society, for example in opposing the addition of prayer text on public property.{{cite news

|author=Kimberly Winston

|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865604661/Senate-approves-prayer-plaque-for-World-War-II-monument.html?pg=all

|title=Senate approves prayer plaque for World War II monument

|newspaper=Deseret News

|date=2014-06-06

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=September 24, 2015

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135836/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865604661/Senate-approves-prayer-plaque-for-World-War-II-monument.html?pg=all

|url-status=dead

}} The center supports secular and free speech initiatives.{{cite web

|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/social-networking/news/coalition-of-us-based-firms-urges-pakistan-to-end-social-media-censorship-540206

|title=Coalition of US-Based Firms Urges Pakistan to End Social Media Censorship | NDTV Gadgets

|publisher=Gadgets.ndtv.com

|date=2014-06-12

|access-date=2014-06-29

|archive-date=September 10, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910230610/http://gadgets.ndtv.com/social-networking/news/coalition-of-us-based-firms-urges-pakistan-to-end-social-media-censorship-540206

|url-status=live

}}

On November 14, 2006, the CFI opened its Office of Public Policy in Washington, DC, and issued a declaration "In Defense of Science and Secularism", which calls for public policy to be based on science rather than faith.{{cite web |author-link=Robert L. Park |last=Park |first=Bob |url=http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN06/wn111706.html |title=Freedom Of Science: in Defense of Science and Secularism |website=What's New with Bob Park |format=blog |date=2006-11-17 |access-date=2006-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927141622/http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN06/wn111706.html |archive-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead}} The next day The Washington Post ran an article about it entitled "Think Tank Will Promote Thinking".

In 2011, video expert James Underdown of IIG and CFI Los Angeles did an experiment for "Miracle Detective" Oprah Winfrey Network which replicated exactly the angelic apparition that people claim cured a 14-year-old severely disabled child at Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. The "angel" was sunlight from a hidden window, and the girl remained handicapped.{{cite web |url=http://www.oprah.com/own-miracle-detectives/Guardian-Angel-Video-Expert-Re-Creation |title=Guardian Angel: Video Expert Re-Creation |publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network |date=2011-01-20 |access-date=2011-01-28 |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121233416/http://www.oprah.com/own-miracle-detectives/Guardian-Angel-Video-Expert-Re-Creation |url-status=live }}

In July 2018, CFI filed suit against CVS in the District of Columbia for consumer fraud over its sale and marketing of ineffective homeopathic medicine. The lawsuit in part accused the CVS of deceiving consumers through its misrepresentation of homeopathy's safety and effectiveness, wasting customers' money and putting their health at risk. Nicholas Little, CFI's Vice President and General Counsel said, "CVS is taking cynical advantage of their customers' confusion and trust in the CVS brand, and putting their health at risk to make a profit and they can't claim ignorance. If the people in charge of the country's largest pharmacy don't know that homeopathy is bunk, they should be kept as far away from the American healthcare system as possible."{{cite press release |author= |title=Center For Inquiry Sues CVS for Fraud Over Sale of Homeopathic Fake Medicine |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/cfi-sues-cvs/ |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=9 July 2018 |access-date=9 July 2018 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709162637/https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/cfi-sues-cvs/ |url-status=live }} In May 2019, CFI announced that they have filed a similar suit against Walmart for their range of homeopathic products.{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Kate |title=Walmart sued over marketing of homeopathic treatments |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walmart-sued-over-homeopathic-medicine-marketing/ |website=CBS News |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703111307/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walmart-sued-over-homeopathic-medicine-marketing/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Walmart Sued For Fraud: Nation's Largest Retailer Deceives And Endangers Consumers With Homeopathic Fake Medicine |date=May 20, 2019 |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/walmart-sued-for-fraud-homeopathy/ |publisher=Center For Inquiry |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820194444/https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/walmart-sued-for-fraud-homeopathy/ |url-status=live }} In July 2019, CFI announced that the [https://stiefelfreethoughtfoundation.org Stiefel Freethought Foundation] was contributing an additional $150,000 to the previously committed $100,000 to support the two lawsuits.{{cite web |title=Lawsuit Targeting Walmart and CVS Over Fake Medicine gets $250,000 Boost From Stiefel Freethought Foundation |date=July 10, 2019 |url=https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/lawsuit-targeting-walmart-and-cvs-over-fake-medicine-gets-250000-boost-from-stiefel-freethought-foundation |publisher=Center For Inquiry |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714102351/https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/lawsuit-targeting-walmart-and-cvs-over-fake-medicine-gets-250000-boost-from-stiefel-freethought-foundation/ |url-status=live }} In 2020 both cases were dismissed.{{cite magazine |date=September–October 2020 |title=Judge Dismisses CFI Suit Against Walmart On Homeopathy; Appeal Planned |magazine=Skeptical Inquirer |location=Amherst, New York |publisher=Center for Inquiry |access-date=}} In September 2022 the District of Columbia's Court of Appeals revived the lawsuits.{{cite news |last1=Grzincic |first1=Barbara |title=Walmart, CVS must face lawsuit over placement of homeopathic product |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/walmart-cvs-must-face-lawsuit-over-placement-homeopathic-products-2022-09-30/ |website=Reuters |date=September 30, 2022 |access-date=8 February 2023}}

File:Dr Sikivu Hutchinson-This Far by Faith-Race Traitors, Gender Apostates and Atheism Question.JPG speaking at the Center for Inquiry, Washington, DC, in 2010]]

In 2016, the atheist Sikivu Hutchinson criticized the merger of the secular organizations Center for Inquiry and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, which gave Richard Dawkins a seat on the board of directors of the Center for Inquiry. Her criticism was that both organizations had all white boards of directors.[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sikivu-hutchinson/atheismsowhite-atheists-o_b_9078736.html #AtheismSoWhite: Atheists of Color Rock Social Justice] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319150653/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sikivu-hutchinson/atheismsowhite-atheists-o_b_9078736.html |date=March 19, 2019 }} by Sikivu Hutchinson, Huffington Post, January 26, 2016

During Richard Dawkins' October 2011 book tour, Center for Inquiry – the tour's sponsor – signed a contract with Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills, Michigan, as the venue site. After seeing an interview with Dawkins on The O'Reilly Factor, an official at the club cancelled Dawkins' appearance. Dawkins said that the country club official accepted Bill O'Reilly's "twisted" interpretation of his book The Magic of Reality without having read it personally.{{cite web

|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBU8nS9OFDY

|title=Rochester Hills Country Club Cancels Richard Dawkins Appearance

|publisher=Fox News

|date=2011-10-13

|access-date=2011-10-15

|archive-date=December 19, 2015

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219065235/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBU8nS9OFDY

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20111012/NEWS05/110120357/Atheist-Richard-Dawkins-snubbed-by-Detroit-area-country-club-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

|title=Atheist Richard Dawkins snubbed by Detroit area country club

|newspaper=Detroit Free Press

|date=2011-10-12

|access-date=2011-10-15

|archive-date=October 14, 2011

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014184110/http://www.freep.com/article/20111012/NEWS05/110120357/Atheist-Richard-Dawkins-snubbed-by-Detroit-area-country-club-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

|url-status=live

}} Sean Faircloth said that cancelling the reading "really violates the basic principles of America ... The Civil Rights Act ... prohibits discrimination based on race or religious viewpoint. ... [Dawkins has] published numerous books ... to explain science to the public, so it's rather an affront, to reason in general, to shun him as they did."{{cite web

|url = http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/18450960/rochester-hills-country-club-cancels-richard-dawkins-appearance

|title = Rochester Hills Country Club Cancels Richard Dawkins Appearance

|work = MyFoxDetroit.com

|publisher = Fox Television Stations, Inc

|access-date = 2011-10-15

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183900/http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/18450960/rochester-hills-country-club-cancels-richard-dawkins-appearance

|archive-date = 2014-04-16

|url-status = dead

}} CFI Michigan executive director Jeff Seaver stated that "This action by The Wyndgate illustrates the kind of bias and bigotry that nonbelievers encounter all the time."{{cite news|url=http://detnews.com/article/20111012/METRO/110120427/Protest-tonight-against-club-s-decision-to-cancel-atheist-s-appearance#ixzz1ahkopLFb |title=Protest tonight against club's decision to cancel atheist's appearance|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=2011-10-12|access-date=2011-10-15}}{{cite news |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/atheist-richard-dawkins-rejected-by-detroit-country-club-58082/ |title=Atheist Richard Dawkins Rejected by Detroit Country Club? |newspaper=The Christian Post |date=2011-10-13 |access-date=2014-06-16 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904093446/http://www.christianpost.com/news/atheist-richard-dawkins-rejected-by-detroit-country-club-58082/ |url-status=live }} Following the cancellation, protests and legal action by CFI against the Wyndgate Country Club were pursued.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/update_dawkins_event_banned/|title=Dawkins Event Banned – CFI to Pursue Legal Remedies|publisher=Center For Inquiry|date=2011-10-14|access-date=2011-10-15|archive-date=October 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016182801/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/update_dawkins_event_banned|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://centerforinquiry.net/uploads/center-for-inquriy-v-golf-course-services-complaint-04-27-2012-dawkins-wyndgate-lawsuit.pdf|title=Complaint and Demand for Jury|date=April 27, 2012|publisher=Center for Inquiry|work=United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan|access-date=July 4, 2012|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205114358/http://centerforinquiry.net/uploads/center-for-inquriy-v-golf-course-services-complaint-04-27-2012-dawkins-wyndgate-lawsuit.pdf|url-status=live}} In 2013 this case was settled in favor of the Center For Inquiry.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/APb1485ec9c39b451e9849280550298743 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301174801/http://online.wsj.com/article/APb1485ec9c39b451e9849280550298743.html |archive-date=2013-03-01 |title=Mich. club settles atheist discrimination suit|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=2013-02-26|access-date=2013-02-27}}

In 2007, CSH sued the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) to block the use of state funds in contracts to faith-based programs for released inmates, claiming that this use is prohibited under the "No Aid" provision or Blaine amendment of the Florida constitution. The initial decision found in favor of the DOC but, on appeal, the case was remanded in 2010 on just the issue of the unconstitutionality of appropriating state funds for this purpose.{{cite web |url= https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1519849.html |title= Council for Secular Humanism Inc v. McNeil |website= findlaw.com |date= April 27, 2010 |access-date= June 27, 2018 |archive-date= April 1, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180401134623/http://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1519849.html |url-status= live }}

While this case was in progress, after the appellate finding, Republican legislators began an effort to amend the Florida constitution to remove the language of the Blaine amendment, succeeding in 2011 to place the measure on the 2012 ballot as amendment 8.{{cite news |url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/04/20/bill-asks-voters-to-ok-taxpayer-funding-of-religious-institutions/ |title= Bill asks voters to OK taxpayer funding of religious institutions |first= Leslie |last= Postal |newspaper= Orlando Sentinel |date= April 20, 2011 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |archive-date= June 10, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610232422/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-04-20/news/os-blaine-amendment-religious-schools20110420_1_florida-voters-church-and-state-state-constitution |url-status= live }}{{cite news |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/blaine-amendment-repeal-passes-florida-house |title= Blaine amendment repeal passes Florida house |first= Patricia |last= Mazzei |newspaper= Tampa Bay Times |date= April 27, 2011 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160605071055/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/blaine-amendment-repeal-passes-florida-house |archive-date= June 5, 2016 |url-status= dead }} The ballot measure failed.{{cite web

|url= https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Religious_Freedom,_Amendment_8_(2012)

|title= Florida religious freedom Amendment 8

|website= ballotpedia.org

|access-date= May 16, 2016

|archive-date= October 31, 2015

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151031061509/http://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Religious_Freedom,_Amendment_8_(2012)

|url-status= live

}}

In 2015, CHS (now CFI) and the state (along with its co-defendants) both filed for summary judgement. The court granted the state's motion in January, 2016, allowing the contested contracting practice to continue.{{cite web |url= http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CFI-v-Jones-for-Web.compressed.pdf |title= CFI v Jones (2016) |work= Fl 2nd District Court |via= becketfund.org |date= January 20, 2016 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |archive-date= April 12, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160412112043/http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CFI-v-Jones-for-Web.compressed.pdf |url-status= live }} After consideration, CFI announced in February, 2016, that it would not appeal.{{cite web

|url= http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/center_for_inquiry_will_not_appeal_adverse_decision_in_florida_lawsuit/

|title= Center for Inquiry will not appeal adverse decision in Florida lawsuit

|publisher= CFI

|date= February 8, 2016

|access-date= May 16, 2016

|archive-date= June 10, 2016

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610202635/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/center_for_inquiry_will_not_appeal_adverse_decision_in_florida_lawsuit/

|url-status= live

}}{{cite web |url= http://newbostonpost.com/2016/02/23/atheists-drop-suit-to-block-christian-prison-ministry-funding/ |title= Atheists drop suit to block Christian prison ministry funding |first= Kara |last= Bettis |publisher= New Boston Post |date= February 23, 2016 |access-date= May 16, 2016 |archive-date= July 14, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160714183035/http://newbostonpost.com/2016/02/23/atheists-drop-suit-to-block-christian-prison-ministry-funding/ |url-status= live }}

CFI representative Josephine Macintosh{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakI_sn30xg |title=Saudi Arabia Tries to Silence Center for Inquiry at UN Human Rights Council – 6/23/14 |date=June 23, 2014 |via=YouTube |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302124647/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakI_sn30xg |url-status=live }} was repeatedly interrupted and heckled by the delegation from Saudi Arabia whilst presenting the center's position on censorship at the UN Human Rights Council. CFI advocated free speech, and opposed the punishment by Saudi authorities of Raif Badawi for running an Internet forum, whom they accused of atheism and liberalism. CFI's statement was supported by the American, Canadian, Irish, and French delegates.

{{Main|Blasphemy Day}}

Blasphemy Rights Day International encourages individuals and groups to openly express their criticism of or outright contempt for religion. It was founded in 2009 by the Center for Inquiry.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/penn_jillette_celebrates_blasphemy_day/ |title=Penn Jillette Celebrates Blasphemy Day in 'Penn Says' |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2009-09-29 |access-date=2013-09-30 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073341/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/penn_jillette_celebrates_blasphemy_day/ |url-status=live }} A student contacted the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, New York, to present the idea, which CFI then supported. Ronald Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, said regarding Blasphemy Day, "We think religious beliefs should be subject to examination and criticism just as political beliefs are, but we have a taboo on religion", in an interview with CNN.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/30/first.blasphemy.day/|title=Taking aim at God on 'Blasphemy Day'|work=CNN.com|date=September 30, 2009|first=Moni|last=Basu|access-date=September 3, 2014|archive-date=September 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904103358/http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/30/first.blasphemy.day/|url-status=live}} It takes place every September 30 to coincide with the anniversary of the publications of the controversial Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons.

Blasphemy Day and CFI's related Blasphemy Contests{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/blasphemy_contest_winners/ |title=CFI Announces Blasphemy Contest Winners |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2009-11-16 |access-date=2014-07-23 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904092841/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/blasphemy_contest_winners/ |url-status=live }} started (in CFI's own words) "a firestorm of controversy". The use of confrontational free speech has been a topic of debate within the Humanist movement{{cite news |first=Moni |last=Basu|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/30/first.blasphemy.day/ |title=Taking aim at God on 'Blasphemy Day' |publisher=CNN.com |date=2009-09-30 |access-date=2014-07-23 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904103358/http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/09/30/first.blasphemy.day/ |url-status=live }}{{r|nytimes rift}} and cited as an example of a wider move towards New Atheism and away from the more conciliatory approach historically associated with Humanism.{{cite web |last=Bradley Haggerty |first=Barbara |date=2009-10-19 |title=A Bitter Rift Divides Atheists |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113889251 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401042651/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113889251 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |access-date=2014-07-23 |publisher=NPR}}{{cite web |last=Grothe |first=D.J. |url=http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/quick_thoughts_on_npr_story/ |title=Quick Thoughts on the NPR 'Bitter Rift' Story |publisher=Center for Inquiry |date=2009-10-19 |access-date=2014-07-23 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904170810/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/quick_thoughts_on_npr_story/ |url-status=live }}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official|https://centerforinquiry.org}}
• [http://www.pointofinquiry.org/ Point of Inquiry], radio show/podcast
• {{cite journal |url= http://ga1.org/secular_humanism/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=9710282&r |title= How Camp Inquiry introduces kids to the principles of humanism |first= Dr. Angie |last= McQuaig |volume= 4 |series= 8 |journal= Free Inuiry |publisher= Council for Secular Humanism |url-status= usurped |archive-date= December 11, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211101913/http://ga1.org/secular_humanism/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=9710282&r }}

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