Center for Inquiry
LightNews LightNews
banner
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Center for Inquiry
@center4inquiry.bsky.social
1.3K followers 190 following 51 posts
We're working to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. www.centerforinquiry.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
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
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
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
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
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Back to Buffalo. Fifty years later, skepticism still has questions.

With Bill Nye, Eugenie Scott, Michael E. Mann, Andrea Love, PhD | Biomedical Scientist, and many, many more.

#CSICon | June 11–14, 2026 | CSIconference.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:05 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Some states celebrate science. Some pretend vibes are enough.

Turn yours blue: ScienceSaves.org/Petition

#ScienceSaves
Map of US showing which states have celebrated National Science Appreciation Day in blue, with call to sign petition to move more states forward.
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
New York is taking a shot at preserving what the IRS walked away from: tax-exempt orgs should not be campaign operations.

Our Director of Government Affairs Azhar Majeed told lawmakers a boundary is a boundary: https://ow.ly/a4AR50XiIUc

We need this one to hold.
October 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Bill Nye headlines CSICon 2026, celebrating 50 years of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry where it all began: Buffalo, NY.

June 11–14, 2026.
Science. Skepticism. Celebration.

Save your spot: https://ow.ly/vqaF50XghIL
October 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Science isn’t perfect, but it’s the reason we get to argue about perfection online instead of dying at 35. ScienceSaves wants to create a day to thank researchers. A day to remember what happens when we stop listening to evidence.

Seem fair? Sign the petition: ScienceSaves.org/Petition
October 22, 2025 at 12:01 AM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The US is losing scientists. Not because they want to leave, but because they can’t stay.

Katie Suleta in Skeptical Inquirer on how political hostility and funding cuts are hollowing out the country’s research pipeline: https://ow.ly/ppzl50XfVnj
October 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
A T-shirt is all it took to send Moroccan activist Ibtissame "Betty" Lachgar to prison.

At the UN, CFI's Kacem El Ghazzali asked: What is her crime?

Tomorrow is Blasphemy Rights Day. Blasphemy laws silence the living.

Free expression keeps us human: centerforinquiry.org/news/cfi-cal...
September 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Betty has been sentenced to two and a half years behind bars for nothing more than posting a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt that read "Allah is Lesbian."

We stand with Ex-Muslims International to demand the release of Ibtissame "Betty" Lachgar.

#FreeBetty → www.change.org/p/lib%C3%A9r...
September 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
It’s all connected.

And it’s all in our 2024 Progress Report.

Read it here: centerforinquiry.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/u...
June 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
You deserve a world shaped by evidence, not superstition. That’s what we fight for.

In 2024, CFI…
✔️ Took a homeopathy giant to court
✔️ Protected evolution in public schools
✔️ Fought Christian nationalist policy
✔️ Gave a lifeline to nonbelievers in danger
June 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Press Conference:
🕦 June 12 | 11:30am–12:30pm ET
📍 Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902

Contact your senators: centerforinquiry.org/alerts/urge-...

@cnn.com on what's at stake: www.cnn.com/2025/06/06/b...
Action-oriented graphic with blurred students in a classroom raising their hands. Large bold text at the top reads: “This bill affects real families. Real students. Real futures.” Three action steps are listed: Watch the National Coalition for Public Education (NCPE) press conference. Call your senator: tell them to reject school vouchers. Share this post to help raise awareness. CFI logo and website are at the bottom.
June 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
The “Educational Choice for Children Act” is a school voucher bill buried in the budget that would redirect $136 billion in public funds to private, mostly religious schools.

We’re standing with NCPE, @sanders.senate.gov, and @doggett.house.gov on this.
A quote graphic featuring blurred library shelves in the background. The quote reads: “The ECCA would divert large sums of public funding toward private, religious schools. This would be a blow to our secular democracy.” — Azhar Majeed, CFI’s Director of Government Affairs CFI logo is in the top left corner. Informational graphic with a blurred classroom in the background and the title: “What is the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)?” Bullet points read: A federal school voucher bill buried in the budget package. Diverts public funding to private and religious schools. Weakens public education and promotes religious indoctrination with taxpayer dollars. CFI logo and website appear at the bottom.
June 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
$136 billion in public funds on the line.

The “Educational Choice for Children Act” would funnel it into private religious schools.

This isn’t choice. It’s indoctrination.

✊ Tell your senators: centerforinquiry.org/alerts/urge-...
🙌 Support our mission: centerforinquiry.org/support-cfi/...
A sky-blue graphic with a signpost showing two black directional signs: one points right and reads "Public School," the other points left and reads "Private School." At the top, bold blue text asks, “Where Should Public Funds Go?” At the bottom, bold orange text asks, “Public Education or Religious Indoctrination?” The Center for Inquiry (CFI) logo appears in the lower-left corner.
June 2, 2025 at 10:43 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
SB 10: Ten Commandments in every public school classroom
SB 1049: Students leave class for religious instruction

That’s not curriculum. That’s a constitutional violation.

Texans, tell Governor Abbott to veto both: centerforinquiry.org/alerts/texas...

Not in Texas? Share to help us stop it.
White bold text on a blurred classroom photo reads: “Texas just passed two theocratic bills. SB 10: Ten Commandments in every classroom. SB 1049: Students leave class for religious instruction. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination.” The Center for Inquiry logo and website appear at the bottom. On a blurred photo of a preschool classroom, large bold text reads: “SB 10.” Smaller text below: “A state-approved Ten Commandments in every public classroom. A blatant violation of the First Amendment. Full stop.” The Center for Inquiry website appears at the bottom. Over a blurred image of empty classroom desks, large bold text reads: “SB 1049.” Smaller text below: “Letting kids leave class for religious studies. That’s not harmless. It disrupts learning and undermines secular education.” The Center for Inquiry website appears above. On a blurred photo of a teacher and student raising hands, bold white text reads: “Public Schools ≠ Sunday Schools.” Below: “This is a coordinated push to inject religion into taxpayer-funded classrooms. We’ve fought it before. We’ll fight it again.” The Center for Inquiry website is at the bottom.
May 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
A key (temporary) win: the Supreme Court declined to allow public funds for a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma 👏

No precedent was set. The legal fight will continue. But for now, our constitutional wall of separation stands a little taller.

Learn more: centerforinquiry.org/press_releas...
Blue and white quote graphic from the Center for Inquiry. Large text in the center reads: “America is not a theocracy, and the First Amendment guarantees that our tax money will not be used to fund religious indoctrination.” — Richard Conn. The CFI logo appears in the top left, and the court case title “Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond” is listed at the bottom.
May 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
center4inquiry.bsky.social
Michael Scott once defined secular humanism better than half of Congress.

Oh is right.

Learn more: centerforinquiry.org/definitions/...

#TheOffice #SecularHumanism
May 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM