Free Inquiry Audio Edition

Ronald A. Lindsay criticizes Mike Johnson for distorting the constitutional principle of separation of church and state by arguing that religion may influence government while government must not interfere with religion. He also accuses Johnson of hypocrisy for presenting himself as a devout Christian while consistently defending Donald Trump despite behavior Lindsay argues contradicts basic Christian moral values. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/speaker-mike-johnson-ideologue-and-hypocrite/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that while assassination can be morally justified under extreme conditions—such as in the case of a dictator like Adolf Hitler where no peaceful change is possible and killing could prevent greater harm—those conditions do not apply in a functioning democracy. Despite concerns about the actions of Donald Trump, Lindsay concludes that assassination is unjustified and morally wrong in this context because democratic mechanisms for change still exist and violence would likely worsen the situation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/when-if-at-all-are-assassinations-justified/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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both promote deeply flawed and unjustifiable positions—one through harmful political leadership and the other through outdated religious doctrine.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: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/trump-vs-the-pope-not-much-to-choose-from/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/anti-semitism-is-not-the-principal-reason-israel-is-losing-support/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/reaching-for-the-stars-but-mired-in-oppressive-fantasies/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/03/autonomy-empathy-and-moral-inquiry-amid-algorithmic-ai/ About the Author: David L. Hildebrand is professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado Denver. He is a past president of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy and the Southwest Philosophical Society. He has published extensively on John Dewey, Richard Rorty, aesthetics, and the philosophy of technology. For nearly a decade, Hildebrand has published on information technologies, considering their bearing on inquiry, meaning, ethics, education, art and aesthetic experience, democracy, and truth. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/03/how-technology-is-quietly-replacing-religion-algorithms-rituals-and-the-architecture-of-belief/ 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 technology. His book, God's AI Reckoning: The Final Revelation, was published in October 2025. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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 principles. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/03/in-defense-of-rational-criticism-of-islam/ About the Author: https://secularhumanism.org/authors/yamin/ Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/03/the-prophet-and-the-pathologist-stephen-kent-massimo-introvigne-and-the-battle-for-an-honest-study-of-religion/ About the Author: Jonathan Simmons, PhD, is an independent scholar and higher education professional whose research examines nonreligion and social movements in North America. His doctoral work analyzed moral identity and activism in Canadian atheist communities, and his current research focuses on Indigenous religious change and nonreligion. His scholarly articles have appeared in Secular Studies, Religion and Gender, and Social Movement Studies, examining topics ranging from feminist atheist activism to the intersections of nonreligion with social justice movements. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: secularhumanism.org/2026/03/religious-motivation-is-real/ 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, The Tyranny of Opinion: Conformity and the Future of Liberalism (2019), is published by Bloomsbury Academic. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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 centerforinquiry.org/freethought-skepticism-gallery/. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/03/coming-in-2026-the-history-of-freethought-and-skepticism-gallery/ 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 nationally syndicated columnist and editorial writer for the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times) for sixteen years. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/another-lament-about-atheism/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that just as we must defend the right to criticize government, we must also defend the right to criticize religion—including Islam. Lindsay maintains that protecting any religion from open criticism undermines free expression and, in cases where doctrines are used to justify human rights abuses, amounts to moral complicity. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/we-need-to-be-able-to-criticize-religion-including-islam/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that many on the MAGA right who once decried "cancel culture" now embrace similar tactics when it targets their opponents. While private campaigns to silence speakers were troubling, Lindsay contends that the Trump administration's use of government power to pressure universities, media outlets, and even members of Congress represents a far more dangerous threat. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-maga-crowds-crocodile-tears-on-cancel-culture 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that petitionary prayer—asking God to intervene in human affairs—poses a logical problem for belief in an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent deity, since such a being should not require requests to prevent suffering.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/prayer-religions-not-so-secret-weapon/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

Free 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/ Read this article and find accompanying references at: 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. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Gregory Grahl uses the rise of Rastafarianism and the messianic veneration of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie to illustrate how religious movements can form around real historical figures through mythmaking, devotion, and cultural need.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/what-if-the-messiah-came-from-ethiopia-instead-of-bethlehem/ About the Author:  Gregory Grahl's essays have appeared in Cool and Strange Music and his poetry in The Red Wheelbarrow. His play, When the Diagnosis Is the Cure, is about a family torn apart when their son wants a gender-transition. Grahl lives in New Jersey with his wife Frances—a teacher and published poet. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

This interview exposes the largely forgotten history of female circumcision in the United States, tracing its roots to Victorian-era medical practices and revealing how it was once normalized, insured, and justified under shifting ethical narratives. Through survivor Patricia Robinett's testimony, the article confronts the lasting trauma of nonconsensual genital cutting and challenges modern assumptions about medical authority, human rights, and cultural hypocrisy. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/americas-dark-and-forgotten-history-of-female-circumcision-an-interview-with-a-survivor/ About the Author:  Daniel N. MacClymont is a cofounder of the Genital Autonomy Legal Defense and Education Fund (GALDEF.org), a nonprofit organization that pursues precedent-setting impact litigation to protect all children from the harms of medically unnecessary genital cutting customs, such as circumcision. He has been an active voice in the genital autonomy (intactivist) movement since 2014 and, as a member of the Kansas City Intactivists, is known for employing humor-based street and educational campaigns to reach the hearts and minds of young people. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Bill Cooke argues that Jesus mythicism has failed to answer core scholarly challenges, relies on flawed logic that treats the New Testament as either wholly true or wholly false, and remains marginal to serious historical scholarship.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/the-five-challenges-unanswered/ About the Author:  Bill Cooke is a senior editor of Free Inquiry and a historian of atheism and humanism. He holds a PhD in religious studies and teaches philosophy and religious studies in Warrington, United Kingdom. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay challenges claims that Jesus was purely mythical, arguing that while the evidence is limited and myth-laden, there is a reasonable prima facie case for a historical Galilean preacher crucified under Pontius Pilate. He concludes that mythicist arguments rely on speculative reinterpretations and fail to meet their burden of proof, leaving the question unresolved but far from settled with "scientific certainty." Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/the-mythicist-claim-not-likely/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Don Wharton argues that the case for a historical Jesus fails to meet even modest standards of evidence, contending that extra-biblical sources are unreliable, biblical texts are contradictory or late redactions, and early Christian writings reflect belief in a celestial—not earthly—Christ. He claims that, taken together, the silence of Paul, the mythic parallels, and the textual history support Jesus mythicism with a level of certainty comparable to scientific proof, rather than mere speculation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/a-cern-level-proof-of-mythicism/ About the Author: Don Wharton has twenty-five years of service in multiple roles as secular leader and activist primarily with the Washington Area Secular Humanists. His prior work was as an IT professional, including Director of Information Systems Planning for the National Academy of Sciences. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

David W. Falls argues that Jesus's moral authority should not be exempt from critical scrutiny, noting that several Gospel teachings promote division, unquestioning loyalty, punishment, and exclusion rather than empathy and autonomy. He contends that secular ethics should judge Jesus's teachings like any other moral claims—by their coherence and consequences—rather than granting them immunity through tradition or reverence. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/rethinking-jesus-the-morality-and-the-myth/ 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 technology. His book, God's AI Reckoning: The Final Revelation, was published in October 2025. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

The article argues that the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not grounded in the original New Testament texts but emerged later through theological additions and editorial expansions. Duke Mertz contends that the Trinity is better explained as a reinterpretation of pagan mystery cult initiation rites, later formalized by church authorities such as the Council of Nicaea to impose doctrinal unity. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/the-holy-trinity/ About the Author: Duke Mertz took an early retirement from a career in finance to work with nonprofit organizations and to write. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

The next installment of Unprayerful Reflections argues that the Trump administration's overt Christian messaging and policies signal a deliberate effort to redefine the United States as a militant Christian nation, eroding constitutional secularism. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/onward-christian-soldiers-trumps-america/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that secular people need not avoid December 25 or conform to religious expectations when the holiday arrives. He emphasizes that Christmas is historically arbitrary and culturally syncretic, encouraging secularists to freely adopt—or discard—traditions à la carte in whatever ways bring joy, without guilt or deference to Christian claims. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/christmas-a-la-carte/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay critiques the Catholic Church's latest decision to bar women from the diaconate as another exercise in institutional paralysis, masking inaction with dense theological language to avoid alienating opposing factions. He argues that fear of undermining claims to absolute truth keeps meaningful reform perpetually out of reach, even at enormous moral and financial cost. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-hamster-wheel-of-catholic-reform/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

This essay is the author's abridged version of his book-length memoir, The Long Surrender: A Memoir about Losing My Religion (Wisdom Editions, 2022), available wherever books are sold. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/11/the-long-surrender-a-memoir-about-losing-my-religion/ About the Author: Brian Rush McDonald is a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia. After leaving the ministry, he worked in various capacities for a couple years, from university professor to Starbucks barista before completing all the requirements to be a licensed psychotherapist. He has now been in private practice for nearly twenty years. He treats individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, or life adjustment issues. He also provides couples counseling. He and Kathy have been married for forty-seven years and have three adult children and three grandchildren. McDonald enjoys playing trombone in several community groups, and he and Kathy enjoy sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Dennis E. Curry examines the ethical contradictions surrounding the death penalty, showing how political ambition, procedural failures, and experimental execution methods expose deep moral flaws in state-sanctioned killing. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/11/the-blowtorch-and-the-butterfly-deconstructing-death-penalty-ethics/ About the Author: Dennis E. Curry, MD, is a writer, political commentator, and resident physician in psychiatry practicing in Canada. Subscribe to his newsletter at:  https://denniscurry.substack.com/. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Editor's Note: Paul Schlueter III is serving a life sentence in Pennsylvania after being found guilty of murder in the first degree. He was charged with the death of Carol Ann Bonney in 1985. He pleaded no contest to the homicide but asserted a defense of diminished capacity, which was rejected by the court. We are publishing Mr. Schlueter's essay, because it provides a perspective on incarceration not often encountered: a perspective from the inside. In his essay, Mr. Schlueter makes various observations about the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and their employees. These observations express Mr. Schlueter's opinions, and in publishing this essay, Free Inquiry does not endorse these opinions or present them as facts. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/authors/paul-schlueter-iii/ Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Christo Roberts defends the moral and practical justification for punishing criminals, emphasizing that modern states cannot function without a criminal justice system. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/11/in-defense-of-retribution/ About the Author: Christo Roberts is a retired prosecutor. He lives in Cape Town, South Africa. Some of his writings can be found at Reason, Religion and Science—A Sceptical Look at Irrational Claims (https://thefreethoughdomain.wordpress.com/). Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Ronald A. Lindsay surveys the broader inequities of the criminal justice system before turning to punishment, arguing that while retribution and its expressive function have a place, capital punishment is only justifiable in principle for the most extreme crimes. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/11/criminal-justice-in-general-capital-punishment-in-particular/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Ronald A. Lindsay traces the religious and war-tinged origins of Thanksgiving, arguing that traditional proclamations depict a needy, punitive deity whose favor depends on public gratitude. He contrasts this with a secular, human-centered approach to giving thanks and expresses appreciation to Free Inquiry's readers for supporting thoughtful, nonreligious discourse. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/thanksgiving-thoughts/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry

Ronald A. Lindsay critiques the alliance between religious fundamentalists and anti-vaccine activists, highlighting Del Bigtree's claim that "God is an anti-vaxxer" as emblematic of a broader rejection of science. He warns that such figures now influence national health policy, pushing the country toward dangerous, anti-scientific approaches to public health. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/god-is-anti-vax/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay warns that congressional complacency has allowed President Trump to seize powers reserved for the legislature, particularly through his unilateral imposition of tariffs under dubious emergency authority. He argues that if the Supreme Court fails to curb this overreach, the nation's system of checks and balances may collapse under an increasingly unrestrained presidency. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/no-checks-or-balances/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay critiques claims that the Trump administration may sponsor nationwide Christian revival meetings as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of U.S. independence. He warns that such events, even if disguised as "voluntary" or patriotic, reflect the administration's ongoing effort to fuse religion with political power and erode constitutional limits on church-state separation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/government-sponsored-revival-meetings/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay rebuts the notion that atheism is "too boring," arguing instead that it offers intellectual freedom and creative fulfillment compared to the monotony of religious ritual. He contends that the promise of eternal life is not bliss but an unending tedium, making mortality—and the self-awareness it allows—far more meaningful. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-tedium-of-faith-as-lived-and-as-promised/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Following the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's interim government has struggled to maintain legitimacy, unleashing political persecution, Islamist violence, and judicial manipulation. Md Shafiqul Islam warns that the nation's secular democracy now teeters on collapse, with extremist factions filling the power vacuum and civil conflict threatening to engulf the region. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/bangladesh-on-the-brink-shadow-powers-political-massacre-and-the-eclipse-of-secular-democracy/ About the Author:  Md Shafiqul Islam is the CEO and lead consultant at the Global Study Consultancy. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay reflects on the post-Franco democratization of Spain and the broader optimistic wave of democratic gains in Europe after the Cold War, noting that this promise has not become universal. Today, democracy faces threats from rising far-right movements within countries and coordinated efforts by authoritarian regimes, compounded by misguided U.S. foreign policy under Trump, which risks isolating America and undermining the global cause of liberal democracy. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/democracy-the-good-news-and-the-bad-news/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Gary Whittenberger argues that through reason and evidence, we can know—not just believe—that God does not exist. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/09/we-know-that-god-does-not-exist/ About the Author: Gary J. Whittenberger, PhD, is an independent writer and retired psychologist, now living in Valley Village, California. He was formerly a leader in many freethought groups in Tallahassee, Florida. He received his doctoral degree from Florida State University, after which he worked for twenty-three years as a psychologist in prisons. He has written many published articles on philosophy, religion, science, and psychology. He is the author of three books: God Wants You to Be an Atheist: The Startling Conclusion from a Rational Analysis, God and Natural Disasters: A Debate Between an Atheist and a Christian, and most recently God, Evil, and Morality: A Debate. He may be reached by email at [email protected]. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay warns that Trump's Task Force 250 and partnership with Hillsdale College will use the Semiquincentennial to push a distorted, Christian nationalist version of U.S. history. He argues this false narrative undermines the Constitution and ignores the Founders' commitment to secular government. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/09/brace-yourself-for-trumps-version-of-american-history/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Nathan H. Lents explains why genome comparisons are complex and shows that humans and chimpanzees remain 98–99% genetically similar, despite creationist Casey Luskin's misrepresentation of new data. He warns that such distortions reflect broader attempts by ideologues to undermine science and push pseudoscience into classrooms. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/09/how-similar-are-human-and-chimp-genomes-really-quantifying-genetic-difference-isnt-straightforward/ About the Author: Nathan H. Lents, PhD, is professor of biology at John Jay College of The City University of New York, visiting professor of forensic biology at the University of Lincoln (U.K.), and an elected fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI). In addition to his research interests in genome evolution and forensic genetics, he is an active science writer and media commentator and is the author of three books: Not So Different, Human Errors, and the forthcoming The Sexual Evolution. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay condemns Charlie Kirk's murder but warns that Trump is exploiting it as a pretext to erode civil liberties, silence dissent, and target liberal institutions. Drawing a parallel to the Reichstag fire, he cautions that creeping authoritarianism in the U.S. may escalate further than many expect. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-murder-of-kirk-trumps-reichstag-fire/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay exposes Abdullah Hashem as a self-declared prophet blending Christianity and Islam and shows how such figures exploit followers to amass power and wealth. He argues that the psychological appeal of surrendering autonomy explains why people repeatedly fall for charlatans, and cautions that secular ideologies can produce similar cultish dynamics. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-madness-of-following-prophets/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Nicole Scott examines Christian nationalist calls for "household voting," a system that would effectively strip women of individual voting rights. She warns that such proposals echo themes from The Handmaid's Tale and highlight growing threats to democracy and gender equality. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/is-household-voting-another-step-toward-gilead/ About the Author: Nicole Scott is the managing editor of Free Inquiry. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay compares belief in Jesus's resurrection with belief in a stolen 2020 U.S. election, showing how desires and prejudices can sustain falsehoods. He warns that emotionally charged myths, once embedded, can shape history and resist correction. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/the-resurrection-of-jesus-and-the-2020-u-s-presidential-election/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Trump is pushing a cultural counter-revolution by ordering institutions like the Smithsonian and national parks to purge "divisive" language, effectively whitewashing history to fit Christian nationalist ideology. While this reacts to past excesses of left-wing identity politics, Ronald A. Lindsay argues the real need is an honest, unbiased account of America's history—warts and all. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/comments-on-the-continuing-cultural-counter-revolution/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Ronald A. Lindsay critiques what he calls "Hallmark Catholicism," exemplified by Jesuit astronomer Guy Consolmagno, whose vague, feel-good notion of God avoids conflict with science by reducing faith to metaphors and personal feelings. Lindsay argues that such nebulous theology, while comforting, is intellectually vacuous and ultimately shields traditional dogmas—like eternal damnation for nonbelievers—that remain central to the Catholic Church, even as atheists are dismissed as "intemperate" for pointing out the contradictions. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/hallmark-catholicism/ 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: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Russell Blackford critiques the term "woke right," arguing that while it draws a superficial analogy between progressive "wokeness" and certain right-wing behaviors, it obscures the Right's long-standing history of intolerance, censorship, and identity-based politics.  Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/07/why-its-wrong-to-write-of-a-woke-right/ 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, The Tyranny of Opinion: Conformity and the Future of Liberalism (2019), is published by Bloomsbury Academic. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Jonathan Simmons argues that secular humanism offers unique tools for resisting authoritarianism—prioritizing evidence over dogma, individual agency over collective obedience, and free inquiry over prescribed truths. By cultivating rational discourse, moral courage, and a commitment to universal human dignity, humanists can confront the creeping normalization of authoritarianism without reliance on divine authority. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/07/the-humanist-response-to-authoritarianism/ About the Author:  Jonathan Simmons, PhD, is an independent scholar and higher education professional whose research examines nonreligion and social movements in North America. His doctoral work analyzed moral identity and activism in Canadian atheist communities, and his current research focuses on Indigenous religious change and nonreligion. His scholarly articles have appeared in Secular Studies, Religion and Gender, and Social Movement Studies, examining topics ranging from feminist atheist activism to the intersections of nonreligion with social justice movements. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.

Joe McAvoy's reflective essay recounts his devout Catholic upbringing on Long Island in the 1960s and how personal and institutional betrayals—especially within the Church—shattered his faith and awakened a lifelong skepticism. Through vivid memories of rigid doctrine, family turmoil, and abusive clergy, McAvoy traces the painful unraveling of once-unquestioned beliefs. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/07/catholic/ About the Author: Joe McAvoy's short fiction, essays, sport and music pieces, satire, and poetry have appeared in magazines and literary journals worldwide (thanks to the internet) including in Catamaran, The Sport Digest, Speculative Grammarian, Points in Case, The Timberline Review, and many others. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Kyle, and their English Lab, Rosie. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.