Trump vs. the Pope: Not Much to Choose From
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Donald Trump and Pope Leo may appear to represent opposing moral visions, but Ronald A. Lindsay argues that both promote deeply flawed and unjustifiable positions—one through harmful political leadership and the other through outdated religious doctrine. Rather than choosing between them, his article contends that both should be critically rejected for their respective impacts on reason, ethics, and human well-being. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, recent interim general...
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Anti-Semitism Is Not the Principal Reason Israel Is Losing Support
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Ronald A. Lindsay argues that declining support for Israel is not primarily driven by anti-Semitism but by growing concern over the policies and actions of its government, particularly under Benjamin Netanyahu. He contends that dismissing criticism as prejudice ignores legitimate moral objections and risks further eroding international support by avoiding accountability. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, recent interim general counsel for CFI, and editor of Free Inquiry...
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Reaching for the Stars, But Mired in Oppressive Fantasies
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
As scientific progress reaches new heights—exemplified by the Artemis II mission—Ronald A. Lindsay contrasts these achievements with the persistent influence of religious belief in global conflict and public policy. He argues that despite the advances of Enlightenment thinking, religious ideology continues to shape decisions in ways that undermine reason, raising concerns about humanity carrying these tensions into its future beyond Earth. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry,...
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Autonomy, Empathy, and Moral Inquiry amid Algorithmic AI
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Algorithmic AI and hypernudging technologies are reshaping human experience by subtly influencing autonomy, empathy, and the way we inquire, often operating below conscious awareness and steering decisions through personalized, data-driven feedback. David L. Hildebrand explores how these systems risk diminishing independent thought, weakening empathic connection, and constraining creativity, raising urgent ethical questions about how we preserve human agency and moral growth in an increasingly AI-mediated world. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: David L....
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How Technology Is Quietly Replacing Religion: Algorithms, Rituals, and the Architecture of Belief by David W. Falls
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Technology is increasingly taking on roles once filled by religion, shaping how we find meaning, form identity, and navigate life through algorithms, data, and digital routines. As these systems quietly influence our values and behavior, the article explores what we gain in convenience—and what we may lose in depth, shared meaning, and human connection. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: David Falls is a retired technology professional who spent thirty-three years at Microsoft. He has written many published articles on philosophy, religion, science, and...
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In Defense of Rational Criticism of Islam by Yamin
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Yamin argues that criticism of Islam is often unjustly suppressed in Western discourse through accusations of “Islamophobia,” which he claims are used to shield religious doctrines from scrutiny. Drawing on examples ranging from violence over blasphemy to restrictions on women and punishment for apostasy, he contends that concerns about certain interpretations of Islam are grounded in real-world consequences rather than prejudice. Yamin maintains that defending the right to openly critique religious ideas is essential to preserving free expression, secular values, and Enlightenment...
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The Prophet and the Pathologist: Stephen Kent, Massimo Introvigne, and the Battle for an Honest Study of Religion by Jonathan Simmons
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Jonathan Simmons argues that religious apologists often deflect criticism by attacking researchers’ credibility and reframing critical inquiry as bias or persecution. Focusing on a dispute between Stephen Kent and Massimo Introvigne, Simmons contends that parts of academia have become overly protective of religious claims, resisting the application of standard scientific and psychological analysis. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Jonathan Simmons, PhD, is an independent scholar and higher education professional whose research examines nonreligion and...
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Religious Motivation Is Real by Russell Blackford
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Russell Blackford argues that religious motivation—particularly in cases of jihadist violence—is often downplayed or denied in Western discourse despite clear evidence to the contrary. Using a recent terrorist attack as a case study, he contends that labeling such acts as unrelated to religion obscures their ideological roots and hinders honest analysis. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Russell Blackford is a conjoint senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Newcastle (Australia) and a regular columnist for Free Inquiry. His latest book,...
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Coming in 2026: The History of Freethought and Skepticism Gallery by Robyn E. Blumner
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
In this editorial, Robyn E. Blumner announces the creation of a new freethought and skepticism gallery at the Center for Inquiry headquarters in Amherst. The exhibit will trace the intellectual history of freethought, religious criticism, and scientific skepticism while also highlighting famous hoaxes and the harms of pseudoscience. To learn more and contribute, visit . Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Robyn E. Blumner is the CEO of the Center for Inquiry and the executive director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and, Science. She was a...
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Another Lament About Atheism by Ronald A. Lindsay
Free Inquiry Audio Edition
Ronald A. Lindsay critiques recent intellectual defections from atheism, focusing on writer Christopher Beha’s claim that atheism is philosophically and emotionally incomplete. Read this article and find accompanying references at: About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, recent interim general counsel for CFI, and editor of Free Inquiry magazine. Subscribe to Free Inquiry:
info_outlineFree Inquiry is looking for a new editor, to begin on or about September 1, 2026. The official job description can be found here: https://centerforinquiry.org/employment/free-inquiry-editor/
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https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/fi-editor-wanted/
About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, recent interim general counsel for CFI, and editor of Free Inquiry magazine.
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Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.