The Appropriation of Sex Education by Conservative Populism. Presentation by Lauren Bialystok

One of Doug Ford’s first actions as Premier of Ontario was to repeal the comprehensive health curriculum of 2015. Shortly thereafter, his government unveiled a strikingly similar “new” curriculum for sex education. What role did populism, anti-elitism and fact-bending play in this process? In this webinar, presented on November 21, 2020, Lauren Bialystok, of OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), provided an overview of this issue and provided suggestions for supporting evidence-based sex education.

Bad Science in Consumer Health Products and Services. Presentation by Ryan Armstrong

Canadians are constantly exposed to marketing claims for health products and services that range from mildly implausible to absolutely absurd. While regulatory authorities exist which are tasked with upholding science-based standards, many gaps in our system leave vulnerable Canadians exposed to predatory snake oil peddlers. In this talk, presented on December 3, 2020, Bad Science Watch’s Ryan Armstrong described the strengths and weaknesses of consumer health regulation in Canada.

Protecting Blasphemers – Panel Discussion

This panel discussion, held on September 18, 2019, in Victoria, British Columbia, included the following topics.

• Asylum policies and programs in Canada and British Columbia.
• The role of blasphemy in a progressive society.
• The importance of secularism and humanism in developing countries of the Middle East.

British Columbia House of Prayers by Teale Phelps Bondaroff

This talk about the House of Prayers Report was given by co-author Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff on May 8, 2020. Among the topics discussed was legislative prayer in Canada, its history and practice across the country, and the details, methodology, findings, and analysis of the study. Find the House of Prayers Report here: https://www.bchumanist.ca/house_of_prayers_report

Living Without Religion by Armin Navabi

This session was held on June 4, 2020. Living Without Religion is a peer-support group offered for people who are working through the challenges related to leaving an organized religion or living without any religion. The program is facilitated by a participant – not a clinician. In the monthly meetings, individuals are encouraged to talk about their challenges from health and quality of life to social or financial dependency.

The Case Against Islamic Reform by Armin Navabi

This talk, given by Ex-Muslim, Armin Navabi, was presented on June 4, 2020. Navabi, creator of the biggest online atheist platform, Atheist Republic, presented his case against Islamic Reform.

The Other Atheists by Ridvan Aydemir

This talk, given by Ex-Muslim activist Ridvan Aydemir, was presented on August 10, 2020. Atheism has become a well-known reality in the Western World, but this new trend is mostly represented by Western atheists. As atheists from Islamic backgrounds raise their voices, they encounter political obstacles which not only prevent them from finding their voices but also become a dividing barrier that separates them from the Western atheists with whom they try to align. Aydemir criticizes Islam on his YouTube channel, The Apostate Prophet, which has more than 200 thousand subscribers.

Confessions of a Former Fox News Christian by Seth Andrews

In this author talk, presented on September 20, 2020, Seth Andrews described in detail how the United States became so divided, and how Fox News in particular contributed to this. Andrews was a former far-right Christian evangelical radio host. He currently hosts one of the most popular atheist podcasts on the planet: The Thinking Atheist.

Indoctrination Discussion

This discussion about indoctrination was conducted on October 17, 2020. Maoism, Stalinism and other totalitarian -isms are often used as examples of atheistic societies in defense of religion. However, the difference between ideological dogma and religious dogma might be illusory. It may not be atheism vs. religion but one dogma vs. another. CFIC members Sophie Dulesh, MD, PhD, and Gleb Lisikh described their memories of the religion-like dogmatism and emotional appeal to one’s “tribe” in the USSR, and shared insights from their experiences.

Appreciative Inquiry; An Approach to Community Development by Patrick Makokoro

This presentation, based on the discipline of Appreciative Inquiry, was given by Patrick Makokoro on October 28, 2020. Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based, positive approach to leadership development and organizational change. The presentation described the basic tenets and philosophies of Appreciative Inquiry and how it can be used within the change management process. Patrick Makokoro is a development practitioner with extensive experience working in community and international development. He has a BA in Community Development from the University of South Africa, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Youth and Child Care from the University of Victoria, BC and an MSc in Development Studies. He is a Doctoral Candidate at UVic in the Faculty of Education, Department of Curriculum.

Introducing Homo Naledi; Our Newest Relative. Presentation by John Mead

Presentation by John Mead staged by Centre for Inquiry Canada on August 15, 2020. Mead told his story about one of the greatest discoveries of the decade. Mead is a biology teacher and the Eugene McDermott Master Teacher of Science at Saint Mark’s School of Texas.

When Doubting Means Death

On September 10, 2020, CFIC presented this interview of “Omer”, conducted by author and podcaster Ali Rizvi. “Omer”, a refugee being supported by CFIC, describes what it’s like to live in hiding, knowing that people want to kill you for not accepting their religious faith. Secular Rescue is a program of the Center for Inquiry designed to provide emergency assistance to writers, bloggers, publishers, and activists who face threats due to their beliefs or expressions regarding religion. Learn more here: https://centreforinquiry.ca/secular-rescue-here-to-help/

Rationalism Social Justice and Critical Theory

As part of our mandate to provide education to our members and the public, on August 29, 2020, CFIC presented a dialogue between Helen Pluckrose and CFIC’s President, Gus Lyn-Piluso. They discussed why Pluckrose is so vehemently against critical theory and the dominant social justice movements of the day, and what postmodernism has to do with this. Gus Lyn-Piluso has been a professor for over 30 years, teaching students to think critically, rationally, and to engage the world as active ethical citizens. Helen Pluckrose is a liberal political and cultural writer and speaker. She is the editor of Areo Magazine and the author of many popular essays on postmodernism, critical theory, liberalism, secularism, and feminism.

A Conversation with Aron Ra

Centre for Inquiry Canada presented this conversation with Aron Ra on August 7, 2020. With so much going on in the world, Aron gave his thoughts on many current events and prevalent topics. Ra is a secular activist advocating reason in education. He serves as Texas State Director of American Atheists, and hosts the Ra-Men podcast with Dan Arel and Mark Nebo of BeSecular.

Author Talk: OUR LIVABLE WORLD; Creating The Clean Earth Of Tomorrow by Marc Schaus

Renowned author Marc Schaus discussed his forthcoming book titled: OUR LIVABLE WORLD; Creating The Clean Earth Of Tomorrow. Presented on June 10, 2020. The book is a vital journey to the front lines of our fight against climate change and the bold scientific and technological innovations that will revolutionize our world. Marc Schaus is a professional research specialist and science writer.

Ali Rizvi; The Atheist Muslim

Ali Rizvi; physician, author, musician and activist, discussing his book The Atheist Muslim. This lecture was presented by CFI Canada on January 28, 2018. Dr Rizvi aims to give a voice to the growing number of freethinkers and secularists in the Muslim world. The lecture brings to light the physical danger, censorship, ostracism and other challenges faced by secular and atheist Muslims, including those residing in the West.

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Anti-Black Racism in Canada; Causes, Impacts and Remedies

Webinar held on July 19, 2020, produced by Centre for Inquiry Canada, Humanist Canada, Dundurn Press, and Black Artists Network in Dialogue. Racism in Canada has many different faces. To improve equity and justice for all in Canada, we first must understand racism from differing perspectives and find safe spaces to inquire and understand. Guests: Dr Ajamu Nangwaya, Ph.D.; organizer, academic worker and writer. He is a lecturer in Rastafari and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies. Scott Fraser; President and Publisher of Dundurn Press. Scott spent eight years as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he earned the Canadian Peace Keeping Service Medal for his role with the United Nations Mission in Sudan.

Conscientious Objection: the Religious Right’s latest weapon. Presentation by Udo Schuklenk

Webinar held on May 9, 2020, regarding health care professionals demanding accommodation for their consciences. The webinar was hosted by Udo Schuklenk; Ontario Research Chair in Bioethics and Public Policy at Queen’s University at Kingston, and a Professor of Philosophy.

Thoughts on COVID 19 by Dr. Michael Allen

Webinar hosted by Dr Michael Allen, MD, MS, on April 20, 2020. Dr Allen is a former family physician and practiced clinical epidemiology. The webinar features an analysis of the virus and its effects.

Mental Illness in the 21st Century

In the context of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Hector Caruncho hosted a webinar on April 10, 2020. Dr Caruncho is a tenured full professor and Canada Research Chair in Translational Neuroscience in the Division of Medical Sciences at the University of Victoria.

Critically Thinking About COVID 19 by Christopher DiCarlo

Webinar held on May 24, 2020, hosted by Dr Christopher DiCarlo; philosopher, educator, and author. Dr DiCarlo often teaches in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Toronto (in Scarborough) and the Life Institute at Ryerson University in Toronto. He is also a lifetime member of Humanist Canada and an Expert Advisor for the Centre for Inquiry Canada.