Anti-natalism with Mark Maharaj Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-08-07 | Anti-natalism is the philosophical idea that choosing to have children is an unethical act. Mark explains what anti-natalism is, as well as what it isn’t, and describes how he came to subscribe to anti-natalist thought. Learn more about anti-natalism from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (https://iep.utm.edu/anti-natalism/) and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/parenthood/#AntiNata)Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Does the Bible endorse slavery and genocide? Dr. Joshua Bowen provides receipts. Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-10-09 | In his first appearance on Podcast for Inquiry, Dr. Josh Bowen compared what we know about history from archaeology and contemporaneous literature with the stories from the Old Testament. In today’s episode, Dr. Bowen reveals what the Bible has to say about slavery and genocide, and goes a bit outside his comfort zone to talk about whether the Old Testament should be considered a guide to a moral and ethical life. Content referenced during the conversation:Read Dr. Bowen’s latest book: Did the Old Testament Endorse Slavery? (Extensively Revised and Expanded Second Edition) tinyurl.com/mrxwhps4Watch Josh rap about Gilgamesh youtu.be/qS_hwIPTO-0?si=rnKDHRKlBwMRLopCSubscribe to Megan Lewis' podcast Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman youtube.com/@bartdehrmanPodcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Kate Cohen believes atheists should be out and proud Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-09-25 | Kate Cohen is a Washington Post columnist and talks about her journey from privately knowing she was a non-believer to writing We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (And Maybe You Should Too). She discusses how being an atheist and a commitment to honesty informed how she raised her children, and how being forthright about her lack of belief in social interactions has simplified her life. We also talk about some of the challenges associated with being an open atheist.Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Greg Oliver asks: Why is religious discrimination official provincial educational funding policy? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-09-11 | Greg Oliver, founder and president of the Canadian Secular Alliance, believes that governments should not favour one faith over another, nor believers over non-believers. That three Canadian provinces continue to this day to fully fund a Separate school system for a single faith - Catholicism - is an egregious violation of secular principles that should guide our public policy. Greg explains why Catholic schools are funded, how two provinces stopped funding sectarian schools, addresses many myths about the separate school system, and what we can do about it. (Check out the new organization Alumni to Amend Section 93.)Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Science Denial: Why It Happens and What To Do About It, with Gale Sinatra Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-08-21 | Everyone is vulnerable to fallacies that can lead to misunderstanding scientific topics. In her book (written with Barbara Hofer), Science Denial: Why It Happens and What To Do About It, Gale investigates many of these, including:- Cognitive biases- Emotions- Motivated reasoning - Identities Gale also explains what all of us can do to increase our scientific literacy. Science is better understood as a process, with different disciplines advancing knowledge via different means, employing various techniques. It is much more than just a collection of facts to be understood. We can also move from an absolutist view of the world to a more evaluative perspective, and with that additional complexity and nuance comes a deeper and more accurate understanding.Learn more at sciencedenialbook.com/. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Kelly Weinersmith asks: Are we ready to live off-planet? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-07-24 | Dr. Kelly Weinersmith is the co-author (with her husband Zach) of Soonish and A City on Mars. Kelly maintains that while having humans living off Earth would be awesome, we’re simply not ready for it yet. She answers many of Leslie’s questions: Why can’t we go to Mars if we have the will? Why can’t we all just get along? Why should we expand? Why is building a habitable space station harder than settling on Mars or the moon? What laws would apply in any off-Earth settlement? Where should we focus our space research efforts? Kelly also goes on a rant about Helium 3. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The search for truth, with Carolyn Biltoft Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-07-10 | Carolyn Biltoft received her PhD in World History from Princeton University in 2010. Her work fuses the tools of world history, intellectual history, cultural studies and critical theory. Carolyn has thought deeply about the nature of truth, and realized that each person necessarily has an incomplete understanding, because we only experience a small aspect of reality first hand. Therefore, we need to trust the reports of others to gain a complete worldview. Misplacing our trust will compromise the accuracy of our model of reality. Carolyn delves into the implications of this insight, describes the similarities and differences between scientific and religious mindsets, and how this should impact our educational system. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself, with Robin Reames Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-06-26 | Robin Reames is the incoming Culbertson Chair of English at Indiana University. She researches and writes about the history of ideas, particularly lost ideas from the ancient Greek rhetorical tradition that can enrich our lives today. Leslie and Robin talk about her book, The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times, starting with the question: What is rhetoric? Robin goes on to explain why emotions and values are more compelling persuaders than facts. Leslie and Robin discuss whether media outlets report on events as they happened, or condition you to respond in a particular way. Robin describes the power of the word “alternative”, as well as the power of fear. There is much we can learn from ancient Athens. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
What’s the point if there’s no god? Ralph Lewis has an answer. Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-06-12 | Dr. Ralph Lewis is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, a practicing psychiatrist, and blogs for Psychology Today. Leslie and Dr. Lewis explore the themes in his book, “Finding Purpose in a Godless World: Why We Care Even if the Universe Doesn’t”, including addressing some key questions:- Does the universe have a purpose?- Why are we humans so prone to believe that the universe is inherently purposeful?- If the universe has no purpose, does that mean human lives are meaningless and don’t matter?- How do we make moral judgments if we have no external or objective foundation for them?Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The Founding Myth, with Andrew Seidel Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-05-29 | Andrew Seidel (@AndrewLSeidel) is the author of The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is un-American, and works for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He and Leslie discuss the birth of the United States and its founding documents. Andrew reveals that America was not intended to be in any way a Christian nation, yet a significant minority has come to believe that is not the case. Andrew also talks about the very real threat that today’s Christian Nationalists pose to American democracy. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The Ten Commitments, with Kristin Wintermute and Emily Newman Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-05-15 | The Ten Commitments (americanhumanistcenterforeducation.org/ten-commitments) come from the American Humanist Association’s Center for Education. They “represent our shared humanistic values and principles that promote a democratic world in which every individual’s worth and dignity is respected, nurtured, and supported, and where human freedom and ethical responsibility are natural aspirations for everyone.”Leslie speaks with Kristin Wintermute, Director of Education, and Emily Newman, Senior Education Coordinator, about each of the Ten Commitments and how they can be put to practical use in day-to-day life. The Ten Commitments:Altruism Critical ThinkingEmpathyEnvironmentalism Ethical DevelopmentGlobal AwarenessHumilityPeace and Social JusticeResponsibilityService and ParticipationPodcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Alternative medicine nearly killed me, says Kat Mac Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-05-01 | Kat McLeod is passionate about dispelling misinformation, especially regarding herbal remedies. Taking herbal supplements nearly killed her, so she volunteers at the University of Alberta as a mentor for pharmacy and medical students, arming them with the knowledge that can hopefully prevent the kind of suffering she has endured.Kat and Leslie talk about some of the problems in Canada and elsewhere with standard medical practice, then delve into how herbal supplements are often mislabeled, concealing (in her case) an unlisted potent steroid. They also discuss other aspects of the alt-med industry, and steps Canada can take to improve the safety and well-being of all Canadians. Health Canada report on Natural Health Products:oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_cesd_202104_02_e_43806.html“Overall, Health Canada’s oversight of natural health products available for sale in Canada fell short of ensuring that products were safe and effective.”Vanessa's Law (which aims to strengthen safety oversight, improve reporting, and increase transparency for therapeutic products in Canada):laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2014_24/page-1.htmlPodcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Behind the Scenes at Podcast for Inquiry Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-04-17 | Leslie Rosenblood gave the keynote address at the Centre for Inquiry Canada’s Annual General Meeting in March. That address is today’s special episode of Podcast for Inquiry. Leslie talks about the principles underlying the podcast, the rules and guidelines they led to, and some of the difficult decisions those working on the podcast had to make. Leslie also delves into freedom of expression, applying how different levels of censorship have affected Podcast for Inquiry.Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist (and Podcast for Inquiry guest), is coming to Toronto on August 11. Details and tickets are here: seth-andrews-toronto.eventbrite.ca Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life In A Doomsday Cult with Perry Bulwer Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-04-03 | Perry Bulwer speaks about his part-memoir, part-exposé book, Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life in a Doomsday Cult. Perry describes what first attracted him to the cult, and why he stayed in it for nearly 20 years. Perry recounts the lasting damage from his time in the Children of God, to himself and especially to those born into it. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Bonus: BAHACON - Sarnia Ontario, August 9-11 2024 Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-03-27 | In this bonus episode of Podcast for Inquiry, Leslie speaks with Bob Barnes and Jeff Brooks of Bluewater Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics about the third annual BAHACON, to be held in Sarnia, Ontario on August 9-11, 2024. Leslie hopes to see you there!Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, with Kevin Mitchell Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-03-20 | Kevin Mitchell (@WiringtheBrain) is Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and writes the blog Wiring the Brain. His book, Free Agents, argues that evolution gave us Free Will. Kevin begins by describing free will, how life has it but rocks do not, and the gradient of choice from paramecia to humans. He talks about the thought experiment of “Rewinding the Tape” and whether someone could have done otherwise under identical circumstances. Kevin discusses the fundamental indeterminacy woven into the fabric of the universe at the quantum scale, and how that combines with chaotic systems to make many aspects of the universe both unpredictable and undetermined. Finally, Kevin speculates about the ramifications of his research and findings on social intuitions and institutions.Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Julien Musolino asks: Who cares if Libertarian Free Will is scientifically incoherent? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-03-06 | Dr. Julien Musolino is a cognitive scientist and author of The Soul Fallacy. He explains why the intuitively, commonly-held notion of free will - known as “libertarian” or “contra-causal” - is scientifically incoherent. This has some implications for how we view ourselves and how we treat others, but on many levels it also doesn’t matter. Julien restores the concept of free will by providing a different definition of free will at a higher level of abstraction. Along the way, Julien and Leslie delve into ideas from philosophy, morality, politics, and sociology.Publications referenced in the conversation:For the law, neuroscience changes nothing and everything, by Joshua GreeneMoral Responsibility Reconsidered, by Gregg D. CarusoFree is as real as baseball, by Sean Carroll CFIC also hosted a talk three years ago by author Gregg D. Caruso, on his book Rejecting Retributivism: Free Will, Punishment, and Criminal Justice. You can watch the video: youtube.com/watch?v=HjVFFxGjs6EPodcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Maryam Namazie and The Paris Appeal Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-02-21 | Maryam Namazie (@MaryamNamazie) is the spokesperson for One Law for All and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. In December 2023, the CEMB released The Paris Appeal, calling for Laics of all countries to unite. Maryam explains the purpose and content of The Paris Appeal, and along the way gets into the difference between laïcité and secularism, and reveals the religious court system in England that denies many women the rights they ought to enjoy. Maryam also talks about World Hijab Day, what the hijab means, and concludes with a passionate analysis of Québec’s religious symbols law.Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Sandra Dunham asks: Why does Canada give $5.6 billion annually to religious charities? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-02-07 | Canada allows organizations that do nothing but “advance religion” to be classified as charities. This policy decision costs Canadians at least $5.6 billion every year, according to CFIC’s Cost of Religion reports (available at centreforinquiry.ca/cost-of-religion-in-canada-2021/). Sandra Dunham explains what this amount includes, how it was calculated, and the many benefits that religious institutions enjoy in addition to this figure. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Leslies Diatribes #3: Canadian Insurance and Pharmacy companies collude to coerce Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-02-02 | Canadians with group benefits covered by Manulife will soon be able to fill certain prescriptions only at Loblaw-owned pharmacies, such as Shoppers Drug Mart.In today’s Diatribe, Leslie fulminates against this blatantly anti-competitive, coercive arrangement that harms everyone it affects except the profits of two of Canada’s largest companies. Leslie explains why this deal ought to be a violation of Canadian law, and predicts that, if allowed to stand, much more - and worse - is to come. As with all Diatribes, the opinions expressed are Leslie’s alone and do not represent CFIC or any other ogranization. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The life of a refugee in exile: “Omer” shares his story Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-01-24 | “Omer” (a pseudonym) was born and raised in Pakistan, but his life was threatened when he expressed doubts about the inerrancy of Islam. He survived a manhunt by the Pakistani government, and now lives as a refugee in Nepal. Omer is the first Pakistani atheist to reach 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. He has been accepted by Canada as a permanent resident, but exit permit issues mean Omer cannot leave Nepal for an indeterminate period. You may contribute to supporting Omer (who is not allowed to work in Nepal) by making a donation to CFIC. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Liberalism a post-liberal world, with Russell Blackford Centre for Inquiry Canada 2024-01-10 | Russell Blackford (@Metamagician) is a philosopher, literary critic, and widely published author. Russell talks about how the philosophical principle of Liberalism runs through his two most recent books, The Tyranny of Opinion and How We Became Post-Liberal. Our conversation starts with a definition of how Liberalism emerged over the past few centuries, and delves into two of its core concepts: free speech and toleration. We also discuss how group dynamics can lead to polarization and how society can return to liberal values. Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
A century of Humanism with Gordon Precious Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-12-06 | Gordon Precious was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1924. As a teenager he became a born-again Christian but as he travelled the world he began to question why he believed his faith was the only true one. As his 100th birthday approaches, Gordon shares his insights on vaccines, technology, humanism, and death. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Gretchen Morgenson on These are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs - and Wrecks - America Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-11-22 | What is Private Equity, and how does it work? Gretchen Morgenson (@gmorgenson) is a Pulitzer-winning journalist whose latest book is These are the Plunderers. Gretchen exposes the bad and often illegal activities of Private Equity firms, and tries to explain why they have been allowed to get away with it for so long. She explains how Private Equity firms operate behind the scenes to ensure the loopholes that substantially reduce their tax bills are never closed, and details recent events that might give cause for hope.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Solomon, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Gandalf: All fictional! With David Fitzgerald Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-11-08 | After years of research, David Fitzgerald has come to a surprising conclusion: that all the main characters in the world’s major religions are entirely the product of human imagination. While many have long doubted the supernatural feats that religious figures are purported to have done, the assumption that these are grounded in at least a kernel of historical fact is widely held. David explains how the stories we are familiar with today accreted over time, and the utter lack of evidence that any of the major figures of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, or Buddhism ever actually existed. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff: Do cities listen to the Supreme Court? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-10-25 | Is secularism church-state separation or government neutrality in matters of religion? What does state religious neutrality look like? When the Supreme Court of Canada issues a ruling, is that the final word? What is the difference between a welcome, a traditional greeting, a cultural practice, and a prayer, especially in the context of indigenous nations and reconciliation?Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff (@TealePB), research coordinator at the British Columbia Humanist Association, answers all these questions and more. His team at the BCHA contacted every municipality in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario to determine whether they are in compliance with the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2015 Saguenay ruling, which unambiguously decreed that opening municipal council sessions with a prayer was unlawful. He describes how some municipalities try to sneak in religious content with “stealth prayer”, and why ecumenical prayers, non-denominational prayers, or rotating prayers from different religious groups, are bound to fail if the goal is to have an inclusive democracy.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Dr. Evelyn Forget believes Canadians need Basic Income Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-10-11 | Dr. Evelyn Forget is Canada’s foremost expert on Basic Income, and the author of Basic Income for Canadians: From the COVID-19 Emergency to Financial Security for All. Dr. Forget describes what Basic Income is, and how it differs from UBI (Universal Basic Income). She talks about the results of a Basic Income pilot conducted in Canada, and answers the question: If Basic Income is such a great idea, why aren’t we doing it already? Finally, Dr. Forget explains what a Canadian Basic Income program would look like. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist, on the un-Christian behaviour of many Christians Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-09-27 | Seth Andrews (@SethAndrewsTTA) is the host of The Thinking Atheist, a very popular podcast and online resource for nonbelievers. Seth talks about his life as an evangelical Christian and what led him to leave his faith. He and Leslie talk about how many Christians embrace seemingly un-Christian beliefs and policies, and what Humanists need to do to make the world a better place.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
“Don’t be Evil” no longer applies, with Paris Marx Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-09-13 | Paris Marx (@parismarx) is a critic of Silicon Valley business practices and the impact they have on workers and society at large. Paris writes the Disconnect newsletter and hosts Tech Won’t Save Us, an award-winning critical technology podcast.In today’s episode, Paris explains the flaws in each category of the tech sector, including:- Blockchain and crypto currencies - Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Tether- Asset-light service firms - AirBnB, Uber, Lyft- Amazon- Fully digital free services - Google, Facebook / Instagram, Twitter / XPodcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
SciComm in the time of Covid, with Tara Moriarty Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-08-30 | Dr. Tara Moriarty (@MoriartyLab) was happy being a research scientist, studying how Lyme disease bacteria travel to different parts of our body using the bloodstream. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and she saw a vast need for disseminating accurate information to the public. So she founded COVID-19 Resources Canada (www.covid19resources.ca) and learned on the fly to become a science communicator. Dr. Moriarty describes the reaction from the scientific community and the public, and shares some surprising statistics about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Support Podcast for Inquiry on Patreon: patreon.com/PodcastforInquiry. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
How Minds Change with David McRaney Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-08-16 | Leslie talks with David McRaney (@davidmcraney) about his book, “How Minds Change”. They explore how social context is critical when people form their opinions. People don’t change their minds in a vacuum, and David describes how network effects lead to social cascades, such as how widespread resistance to equal marriage flipped to widespread acceptance in an astonishingly short period. David quizzes Leslie about the most recent movie he watched as a demonstration of how to get people to think differently. They discuss the role of truth in persuasion, and the utter failure of the “information deficit hypothesis”. You can learn more from David via his podcast You Are Not So Smart and on his website at davidmcraney.com. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Catherine Dunphy on Humanist activism and the Kimberley project Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-08-02 | Catherine is a humanist activist, and believes the two go hand in hand. Catherine talks about the inherent tension within the Catholic Social Justice Movement, and her own journey out of Catholicism. She describes the link between Christofascism and Incels (see her article in the April 2023 edition of Free Inquiry). Catherine’s activism today is focused on The Kimberley Project, a Canadian charity dedicated to the prevention of violence against women. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Escaping North Korea with Eunju Kim Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-07-19 | How does one survive in an authoritarian regime, where you are sent away for education if the frame holding a picture of the Dear Leader gets dirty? When no one has enough to eat? Eunju Kim is the author of A Thousand Miles to Freedom, which describes her harrowing escape from North Korea to Seoul. She and Leslie discuss how the Kim dynasty is worshiped in North Korea, much like a God. Eunju details how escaping from North Korea is much harder today than it was when she fled. Today Eunju works for Freedom Speakers International, helping North Korean refugees settle into their new lives in South Korea. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Leslies Diatribes #2 - Catholic Health Care Ethics Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-07-12 | Welcome to the second episode of Leslie’s Diatribes, a sounding board for Leslie to fulminate on topics he is passionate about. Today’s topic is the Health Ethics Guide, a publication of the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada. Employees in Catholic health care facilities in eight provinces are told to sign this code of ethics every year, and many do so without reading it. Leslie highlights some salient aspects of its contents, and encourages those who object to what it demands to refrain from agreeing to it.The opinions expressed in this episode are Leslie’s, and do not represent CFIC or any other organization.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Homophobia in Catholic Schools with Tonya Callaghan Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-07-05 | Why do publicly funded Catholic schools exist in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta? Does the government or the Church actually run them? Leslie speaks with Dr. Tonya Callaghan, author of Homophobia in the Hallways, about systemic homophobia in Canadian Catholic schools. They discuss the long struggle to establish Gay-Straight Alliances, the oddly selective enforcement of Catholic doctrine, and the contradiction at the heart of professing compassion for all at the same time as demanding lifetime celibacy from those with same sex attraction. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Dana Korneisel on tetrapods and her book, “Dana Digs Dinosaurs” Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-06-21 | What is a tetrapod? What is a homologue, and how does it differ from convergent evolution? Dana answers Leslie’s many questions about animal development from embryo to adult, talks about her research on amphibians and axolotls, and how her book, “Dana Digs Dinosaurs”, was inspired by the excitement of a seven year old.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Justice-Centered Humanism with Roy Speckhardt Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-06-07 | Roy Speckardt is the past executive director of the American Humanist Association. He speaks with Leslie about his latest book, Justice-Centered Humanism. Conversation topics include:- Roy’s journey to Humanism- How to get Humanists involved in activism- How Humanism leads to Social Justice- Environmentalism- Sentientism (referencing Leslie’s conversation with Jamie Woodhouse in March 2023)- SecularismPodcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Please contribute to Podcast for Inquiry at centreforinquiry.ca/donate. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Misogyny in Humanism with Srishti Hukku Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-05-24 | Do people in the Humanist movement live up to their stated ideals? How does sexism and misogyny persist within Humanist circles? Srishti Hukku has been a humanist activist for close to two decades, and shares her experiences and insights with host Leslie Rosenblood in a personal and penetrating conversation.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Secular Buddhism with Noah Rasheta Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-05-10 | Noah Rasheta integrates Buddhist philosophy into every aspect of his life. He talks with Leslie about Secular Buddhism, and they compare and contrast Buddhist teachings with Christian thought and Stoic philosophy. They discuss Noah’s book “No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners”, delving into aspects that Leslie heartily agreed with and others that required further clarification for genuine understanding. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Recovering from Religion with Steve Ironside Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-04-26 | Steve Ironside is the Ambassador Program Director for Recovering from Religion, an organization dedicated to providing hope, healing and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. Steve describes the several services RfR offers free of charge to people trying to reconcile aspects of their lives that may not be fully consistent with their faith. Recovering from Religion hosts RfRx, a secular-themed event modeled after “TED talks”, every Monday at 8 PM ET. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Marie-Claire Khadij is the Canadian Armed Forces’ first Humanist Chaplain Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-04-15 | Marie-Claire Khadij was born into a devout Roman Catholic family, and was a practicing Christian for much of her early life. She describes her journey from faith to agnosticism to Humanism, as well as how and why she joined the Canadian Armed Forces - first as a Roman Catholic chaplain, and then as its first Humanist chaplain. Learn more about becoming a Humanist chaplain through Humanist Canada. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
The Current State of Vaccine Technology; How mRNA Changed the Game Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-04-02 | Science Chair Zack Dumont gave this keynote presentation at CFIC’s Annual General Meeting on March 9, 2023. Dumont, who is a Pharmacist, also described the significance of Advance Market Commitments contracting as a stimulus for further development of vaccines which can be effective in treating many serious health issues.
Philippa Carter: What is a religion? Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-03-29 | Philippa Carter (@PhilippaCarter) has her PhD in Religious Studies, is a professor within McMaster’s Society, Culture & Religion degree program, and teaches a course called, “What on Earth is Religion?” Yet there is no simple answer to this straightforward question. The conversation ranges from religions to cults, philosophies, creeds, and worldviews, with stops at free expression and secularism along the way. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like the Podcast for Inquiry episodes featuring Catherine Francis, Caroline Russell-King, and James Turk.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Jamie Woodhouse on Sentientism Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-03-15 | Jamie is a leading advocate for Sentientism (“evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings”) as a worldview and as a global movement. Jamie and Leslie discuss what Sentientism is along with its philosophical, ethical, and practical implications. Learn more through the Sentientism Podcast and YouTube channel, the global Sentientism Facebook community, and on Twitter @JamieWoodhouse and @Sentientism.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Bonus: Leslie Rosenblood debates Gods role in politics Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-03-08 | In February 2015, Leslie participated in the second Chesterton debate, organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto, arguing against the motion that God should play a significant role in political affairs. Iain Benson, a Roman Catholic legal philosopher and consultant, took the opposing position. The moderator was Lorna Dueck. The debate was rebroadcast on Salt and Light TV and Podcast for Inquiry is proud to bring it to you as a special bonus episode.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Chris Shelton on Scientology and destructive cults Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-03-01 | Chris Shelton was raised within the Church of Scientology, which he left a decade ago. Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping those seeking to escape coercively controlling environments. Chris explains how all cults use the same playbook to recruit and keep members, techniques to which we are all susceptible. Chris shares how one can avoid falling for the traps they set, and how to recognize if you might already be in one. You can learn more about Scientology and cult recovery on Chris’ YouTube channel.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
When Religious Leaders Become Atheists Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-02-21 | On January 28, 2023 Centre for Inquiry Canada started the new year, and re-started our Vancouver, British Columbia Branch, with a panel discussion with former Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders talking about their experiences of losing their beliefs. The moderator of this event, co-sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, was the Foundation’s co-president - former Christian pastor Dan Barker. The listed panelists are members of The Clergy Project. The Project was established in 2011 as a private, non-profit organization specifically for religious leaders who had become atheists. John Lombard (Ex-Christian Missionary): Host & Organizer Mohamed Cisse (Ex-Muslim Muezzin): Panelist Shlomo Levin (Ex-Jewish Rabbi): Panelist Lon Ostrander (Ex-Christian Pastor): Panelist Duane Grady (Ex-Christian Minister): Panelist
Allan Offenberger on Fusion Research: What We’ve Achieved, What Remains to be Solved Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-02-15 | In December 2022, fusion researchers achieved a major accomplishment: more energy resulted from a controlled fusion reaction than was put into it. Allan explains why this is more a symbolic milestone than a sign that commercial fusion is imminent. Allan describes the current state of the art in fusion research, and the many ways fusion differs from fission, the existing nuclear energy technology. Fusion is moving from science to engineering, and many technical hurdles must be overcome before fusion, for all its promise, can make a significant practical difference in the world. For more information, visit the Fusion Energy Council of Canada, ITER, or the Fusion Industry Association. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
Bonus: Leslie Rosenblood on Humanism in Children and Womens Rights Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-02-08 | CFIC was invited to give a presentation on Humanism in Children and Women's Rights at the third International Humanism Conference for Social Justice in September 2022. Leslie spoke on Humanism in Children and Women's rights. The speech was recorded and is presented here as a special bonus episode of Podcast for Inquiry.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
What does history say about the accuracy of Bible stories? With Dr. Joshua Bowen Centre for Inquiry Canada 2023-02-01 | Dr. Joshua Bowen (@DJHammurabi1) is an Assyriology scholar and author of “The Atheist Guide to the Old Testament". Josh describes his journey from fundamentalist evangelical Christianity to atheism, and what motivated him to write two volumes (so far!) of the Atheist Guide. He and Leslie discuss the Old Testament book of Exodus, and its correspondence to what we know of the time from the fields of history and archaeology. You can learn much more about Josh’s work on his YouTube channel, Digital Hammurabi.Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. Hosted by Leslie Rosenblood. Produced by Lee Shields, Zack Dumont, and Martin Zielinski. Graphic design by Nikolay Nikitushkin. Music by Anthony Lazaro. Send your thoughts and feedback to podcast@centreforinquiry.ca.
