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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151219T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151219T210000
DTSTAMP:20151124T064717Z
CREATED:20151124T060346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151124T064717Z
UID:6682-1450544400-1450558800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Winter Solstice Fundraising Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Reason’s and Heathen’s Greetings! \n\n\nCFIC Winter Solstice Celebration 2015\nJoin us for a evening of fun\, friends and magic as we celebrate a secular holiday season. We will be having dinner at the Crimson Lounge (College Street @ Spadina in Toronto) followed by an amazing evening of magic and comedy with Magic Tonight. James Alan’s Magic Tonight (www.magictonight.ca) is a weekly show downtown which features a wide variety of special guests which proves magic really is for grownups. The show is highly interactive and very entertaining. Proceeds to to support CFI Canada and its projects. \n5:00 PM Mix & Mingle – Cash bar\, merchandise table and silent auction \n6:00 PM Dinner – a three-course meal – salad\, appetizer\, entree (vegetarian and vegan options available) \n7:00 PM – Magic! \nOur main performer for the evening: James Alan (www.JamesAlan.ca) is the host and producer for Magic Tonight (www.MagicTonight.ca). He created two acclaimed one-man shows Lies\, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks (2012) and The Uncertainty Project (2014). He is known for creating magic which is “Thought provoking\, funny\, astonishing and thoroughly entertaining.” The show will be followed by a brief Q&A. You’re welcome to ask how the tricks are done\, but we don’t know how far that would get you. \n** BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! **\nLocated right next to the corner of College & Spadina near TTC. Paid parking on College Street\, free side street parking. \nNot recommended for children under fifteen. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhotos from last year\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-winter-solstice-fundraising-dinner/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Facebook-Banner.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151217T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151217T203000
DTSTAMP:20151009T034535Z
CREATED:20151009T034535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151009T034535Z
UID:6448-1450378800-1450384200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Counter-Apologetics Club
DESCRIPTION:Once per month members are invited to come to the CFIC office at 55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307 and join in a facilitated dialogue on strategies\, talking points and common difficulties encountered in responding to religious apologists. Discussions will be free-flowing but facilitated.  Participants are encouraged to bring along a snack.\n\nEach month\, a different theme will be announced as the focus for the  next meeting.\n\nFor the first CFI Toronto Counter-Apologetics Club meeting\, we had Richard Carrier walk us through his personal top-ten Counter-Apologetics topics.\n\nIs there a Fee?\n\nThere is no fee to participate for members\, but we will accept donations to help support CFIC and the branch.  Non-members are encouraged to join CFIC but we’re happy to see you attend the event as a guest. Membership is just $30 per year.\n\nDue to space considerations\, attendance may be limited to the 15-20 members. For further information\, please feel free to reach out to Lee at: campus@centreforinquiry.ca
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-counter-apologetics-club/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Scarlet-A-thick.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151020T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151020T210000
DTSTAMP:20150926T033509Z
CREATED:20150227T171932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150926T033509Z
UID:5177-1445367600-1445374800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Living Without Religion
DESCRIPTION:NOTICE: This event was to take place previously on the 12th but due to the Thanksgiving Weekend\, it was moved to this date. \nCFI Canada’s Living Without Religion is hosted by CFIC member Genessa Radke. \nThis meeting takes place every second Monday of the month at our National Headquarters (55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307) and exceptions to will be posted clearly when they apply at meetup.com \nThe group discusses past and present religious issues and looks at a positive life free of guilt\, fear and shame. While the group is still dedicated to dealing with problems and issues revolving around religion\, it is also a place for those interested in exploring larger issues in a non-judgmental welcoming atmosphere. \nIt’s a place for people to share their desire to throw away the burden of religious indoctrination and antiquated dogma. Whether you are thinking of leaving your religion or are already living religion free\, or you just wish to support others in this quest\, join us. It’s open to the public and everyone is welcome to join in! \nWe are able to host this and many other events of its kind due to memberships and donations. Recommended donation is $5. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-living-without-religion/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151130T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151130T210000
DTSTAMP:20151120T022857Z
CREATED:20150810T215139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151120T022857Z
UID:6170-1448910000-1448917200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by CFI Canada member Christine Gagnon\, the goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science\, philosophy and secularism. \nIt takes place at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is also an after-event at a location near the office and everyone is invited. \nTHIS MONTH’S BOOK SELECTION: This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin. \nWhy does music evoke such powerful moods? The answers are at last becoming clear\, thanks to revolutionary neuroscience and the emerging field of evolutionary psychology. Both a cutting-edge study and a tribute to the beauty of music itself\, This Is Your Brain on Music unravels a host of mysteries that affect everything from pop culture to our understanding of human nature\, including: \n• Are our musical preferences shaped in utero?\n• Is there a cutoff point for acquiring new tastes in music?\n• What do PET scans and MRIs reveal about the brain’s response to music?\n• Is musical pleasure different from other kinds of pleasure? \nLevitin’s This Is Your Brain on Music explores cultures in which singing is considered an essential human function\, patients who have a rare disorder that prevents them from making sense of music\, and scientists studying why two people may not have the same definition of pitch. At every turn\, this provocative work unlocks deep secrets about how nature and nurture forge a uniquely human obsession.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-this-is-your-brain-on-music-the-science-of-a-human-obsession-by-daniel-j-levitin/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/levitin1_f.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151128T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151128T210000
DTSTAMP:20151126T172752Z
CREATED:20150910T044943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151126T172752Z
UID:6286-1448739000-1448744400@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:Honor Diaries with Raheel Raza at CFIC T.O.
DESCRIPTION:Nov. 28\, Saturday\, 7:30pm – Honor Diaries film screening  \n      \n \n\n\n\nIn male-dominated cultures\, like Saudi Arabia\, women and girls are treated like property\, forced into marriage and suffer female genital mutilation.\n\nHonor Diaries is the first film to break the silence on honor violence against women and girls.\n\n\nAND!…we are privileged to have one of the cast members\, Raheel Raza (photo below)\, in attendance to introduce the film and to answer questions after the screening.\n\n\n\nThis event will take place at The CFIC Office: 55 Eglinton Ave E – Suite 307.\n\n\nGet your tickets now at our CFIC Events Page.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/honor-diaries-with-raheel-raza-at-cfic-t-o/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151029T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151029T210000
DTSTAMP:20151009T034755Z
CREATED:20150918T030608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151009T034755Z
UID:6323-1446147000-1446152400@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Dying With Dignity CEO Wanda Morris
DESCRIPTION:Wanda is the CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada and she will give a tailor-made talk for our CFI Canada community. Wanda will explain why those in the Atheist/secular/humanist movement should be particularly concerned about right-to-die issues. \nHer talk will cover the facts on physician assisted dying as a safe\, compassionate choice for Canadians facing unbearable suffering; the historic Supreme Court ruling in Carter v. Canada; and the Voice Your Choice Campaign which gives the tools you need to speak out for lasting change so that small but noisy “special interest” groups won’t curtail your rights. \nLet’s stand with the 84 per cent of Canadians who support compassion and choice at end of life. \nFREE for CFIC members (please bring your card) \n$5 for non-members (payment at the door) \n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/dying-with-dignity-ceo-wanda-morris-at-cfic-t-o/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151026T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151026T210000
DTSTAMP:20150810T215639Z
CREATED:20150810T212901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150810T215639Z
UID:6166-1445886000-1445893200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "Faith Versus Fact: Why Science and Religion Are Incompatible" by Jerry Coyne
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by CFIC members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea\, this meeting takes place at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \nWe had Jerry in our Toronto office back in June and in an act of shameless self-promotion before his evening lecture at OISE\, he graciously posed for a shot encouraging everyone to go out and buy his damn book Faith vs. FACT! And we have a number of signed copies available for sale in our office: $20 for CFIC members: $25 for non-members. \nJerry is no accomodationist. Oh\, no. No NOMA for him. In his provocative new book\, this evolutionary biologist lays out in clear\, dispassionate detail why the toolkit of science\, based on reason and empirical study\, is reliable\, while that of religion—including faith\, dogma\, and revelation—leads to incorrect\, untestable\, or conflicting conclusions. \nCoyne is responding to a national climate in which over half of Americans don’t believe in evolution (and congressmen deny global warming)\, and warns that religious prejudices and strictures in politics\, education\, medicine\, and social policy are on the rise. Extending the bestselling works of the Four Horsemen\, he demolishes the claims of religion to provide verifiable “truth” by subjecting those claims to the same tests we use to establish truth in science. \nCoyne irrefutably demonstrates the grave harm—to individuals and to our planet—in mistaking faith for fact in making the most important decisions about the world we live in.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-faith-versus-fact-why-science-and-religion-are-incompatible-by-jerry-coyne/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151023T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151023T210000
DTSTAMP:20151014T014253Z
CREATED:20150910T044505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151014T014253Z
UID:6285-1445628600-1445634000@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Richard Carrier speaks at OISE
DESCRIPTION:Oct. 23\, Friday\, 7:30pm – Dr. Richard Carrier \n\nPhilosopher\, historian\, Atheist activist and blogger Richard Carrier\, Ph.D. visits Toronto and will give a talk that re-examines the whole question of whether Jesus existed as a historical person and finds compelling reasons to suspect the daring assumption that he did not. He will defend his alternative theory of the origins of Christianity. \nA limited number of copies of his book Proving History: Bayes’s Theorem and the Quest for the Historical Jesus will be for sale ($20 CFIC members; $25 for non-members). Please email torontoteam@cficanada.ca to reserve a copy. \n\n\n\n\nThis event will take place at OISE’s Auditorium. Get your tickets now at our CFIC Events Page. \n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/richard-carrier/
LOCATION:OISE Auditorium G162\, 252 Bloor Street West\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5S 1V6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/rickFB.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151022T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151022T203000
DTSTAMP:20151009T034322Z
CREATED:20151009T033434Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20151009T034322Z
UID:6443-1445540400-1445545800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Counter-Apologetics Club
DESCRIPTION:Once per month members are invited to come to the CFIC office at 55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307 and join in a facilitated dialogue on strategies\, talking points and common difficulties encountered in responding to religious apologists. Discussions will be free-flowing but  facilitated.  Participants are encouraged to bring along a snack.\n\nEach month\, a different theme will be announced as the focus for the  next meeting.\n\nFor the first CFI Toronto Counter-Apologetics Club meeting\, we have invited Richard Carrier to walk us through his personal top-ten Counter-Apologetics topics.\n\nIs there a Fee?\n\nThere is no fee to participate for members\, but we will accept donations to help support CFIC and the branch.  Non-members are encouraged to join CFIC but we’re happy to see you attend the event as a guest. Membership is just $30 per year.\n\n\n\nDue to space considerations\, attendance may be limited to the 15-20 members. For further information\, please feel free to reach out to Lee at: campus@centreforinquiry.ca
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/counter-apologetics-club-at-cfic-t-o/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Scarlet-A-thick.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20151016T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20151016T210000
DTSTAMP:20150925T155758Z
CREATED:20140320T183909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150925T155758Z
UID:2993-1445022000-1445029200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. : Board Games Night!
DESCRIPTION:NOTICE: This event was to take place previously on the 9th but due to the Thanksgiving Weekend\, it was moved to this date. \nJoin us for an evening of relaxing and thinking fun as we mostly play classic and strategy board games\, and partake in trivia. Sometimes even charades\, jai alai\, Octopush – whatever strikes our fancy.  Feel free to bring your own games to share. You could even just come and hang out on the comfy-chairs with like-minded folks for a little more conversation and a little less action. \nWhere?: Centre for Inquiry Canada HQ (55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307 – Lobby Code 49) \nWhen?: The second Friday of each month at 7:00 pm (if there is a holiday on or around the date\, it could be re-scheduled). \nHow Much?: A suggested $5 donation (for snacks and refreshments)
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/board-game-brawl/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto,Social Gathering,Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150928T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150928T210000
DTSTAMP:20150709T035132Z
CREATED:20150709T035131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150709T035132Z
UID:5932-1443466800-1443474000@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story" by Jim Holt
DESCRIPTION:This is one of CFI Canada‘s most popular monthly events\, and that is mainly because of its two book-loving hosts\, CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea. Come on out and enjoy the discussion. \nIt takes place at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is also an after-event at a location near the office and everyone is invited. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n \n“Why is there a world rather than nothing at all?” remains the darkest and most enduring of all metaphysical mysteries. Following in the footsteps of Lawrence Krauss\, Christopher Hitchens\, Roger Penrose\, and even Stephen Hawking\, Jim Holt\, an American philosopher\, author and essayist\, now enters this fractious debate with his lively and deeply informed narrative that traces the latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe. \nThe slyly humorous Holt takes on the role of cosmological detective\, suggesting that we might have been too narrow in limiting our suspects to Yahweh vs. the Big Bang. Tracking down an eccentric Oxford philosopher\, a Physics Nobel Laureate\, a French Buddhist monk who lived with the Dalai Lama\, and John Updike just before he died\, Holt pursues unexplored angles to this cosmic puzzle. \nAs he pieces together a solution–one that sheds new light on the question of God and the meaning of existence–he offers brisk philosophical asides on time and eternity\, consciousness\, and the arithmetic of nothingness.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-why-does-the-world-exist-an-existential-detective-story-by-jim-holt/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/JimHolt.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150831T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150831T210000
DTSTAMP:20150709T031012Z
CREATED:20150709T031012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150709T031012Z
UID:5926-1441047600-1441054800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty" by Simon Baron-Cohen
DESCRIPTION:This is one of CFI Canada‘s most popular monthly events\, and that is mainly because of its two book-loving hosts\, CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea.  Come on out and enjoy the discussion. \nIt takes place at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is also an after-event at a location near the office and everyone is invited. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n \nSimon Baron-Cohen may be Sacha’s cousin\, a.k.a. Ali G & Borat\, but he is no comic; he is a serious and award-winning British researcher who has investigated psychology and autism for decades. \nBorderline personality disorder\, autism\, narcissism\, psychosis\, Asperger’s: All of these syndromes have one thing in common–lack of empathy. In some cases\, this absence can be dangerous\, but in others it can simply mean a different way of seeing the world. \nIn The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty Dr. Baron-Cohen develops a new brain-based theory of human cruelty. A true psychologist\, however\, he examines social and environmental factors that can erode empathy\, including neglect and abuse. \nBased largely on Baron-Cohen’s own research\, The Science of Evil will change the way we understand and treat human cruelty.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-the-science-of-evil-on-empathy-and-the-origins-of-cruelty-by-simon-baron-cohen/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SBC.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150727T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150727T210000
DTSTAMP:20150430T045143Z
CREATED:20150430T045143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150430T045143Z
UID:5589-1438023600-1438030800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "The Conquest of Happiness" by Bertrand Russell
DESCRIPTION:Come on out and enjoy the atmosphere with your cordial hosts\, Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea\,  two of our CFI Canada members. It takes place at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is also an after-event at a location near the office and everyone is invited. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n \n“There are two motives for reading a book; one\, that you enjoy it; the other\, that you can boast about it.”\n― Bertrand Russell \nBertrand Russell. Iconoclast\, philosopher\, logician\, mathematician\, historian\, writer\, social critic\,  political activist\, rationalist. \nThe Conquest of Happiness is Bertrand Russell’s recipe for good living. First published by Liveright in 1930 – and some reviewers mentioned that the 85-year gap could be a factor for today’s reader – it certainly pre-dates the current obsession with self-help.  Russell attempted to diagnose the myriad causes of unhappiness in modern life and chart a path out of the seemingly inescapable malaise so prevalent even in safe and prosperous Western societies. Eschewing guilt-based morality\, Russell laid out a rationalist prescription for living a happy life\, including the importance of cultivating interests outside oneself and the dangers of passive pleasure.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-the-conquest-of-happiness-by-bertrand-russell/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/992461.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150629T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150629T210000
DTSTAMP:20150406T060421Z
CREATED:20150406T054638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150406T060421Z
UID:5495-1435604400-1435611600@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Science & Philosophy Book Club "Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life Beyond Our Solar System" by Ray Jay
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \nIn Strange New Worlds\, renowned astronomer Ray Jayawardhana brings news from the front lines of the epic quest to find planets—and alien life—beyond our solar system.  In this book\, Ray vividly recounts the stories of the scientists and the remarkable breakthroughs that have ushered in this extraordinary age of exploration. He describes the latest findings—including his own—that are challenging our view of the cosmos and casting new light on the origins and evolution of planets and planetary systems. He reveals how technology is rapidly advancing to support direct observations of Jupiter-like gas giants and super-Earths—rocky planets with several times the mass of our own planet—and how astronomers use biomarkers to seek possible life on other worlds. \nCFIC Toronto‘s Events Coordinator\, Christopher Myrick gave his review on Goodreads: “Nice\, detailed history of astronomical exploration. Spiced with short biographies of astronomers\, and personal anecdotes\, breaking up and enlivening what could have been a story about filters\, lenses and equations. Opening and closing chapters harken to Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot\,” in the latter with explicit reference. Much easier physics than what is found in “Neutrino Hunters\,” though Jupiter-sized objects are more comprehensible than the sub-atomic. As with many of my favorite science writers – such as Matt Ridley and Olivia Judson – Jayawardhana cut his teeth at “The Economist.” \nRay Jaywardhana\, aka Ray Jay\, is currently the dean of science and a professor of physics & astronomy at York University. He had been a professor and the Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics at the University of Toronto.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-strange-new-worlds-the-search-for-alien-planets-and-life-beyond-our-solar-system-by-ray-jay/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/51c+y5OaA-L._SX258_BO1204203200_.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150622T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150622T210000
DTSTAMP:20150525T203934Z
CREATED:20150525T203332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150525T203934Z
UID:5760-1435001400-1435006800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Scientology vs. Tony Ortega & Paulette Cooper
DESCRIPTION:On Monday\, June 22nd\, at 7:30pm\, Tony Ortega\, a former editor-in-chief of The Village Voice\, will be presenting his new book about Scientology at CFIC Toronto. He is also presenting at CFI LA\, Washington and Florida. Paulette Cooper will also be in attendence. \n\nThe book is called The Unbreakable Miss Lovely after the code name Scientology spies gave Paulette Cooper in their internal documents. In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down\, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known. \nThe onslaught\, which lasted years\, drove Paulette to the brink of suicide.  The book reveals the shocking details of the darkest chapter in Scientology’s checkered history\, which ended with senior members in prison\, and the organization’s reputation permanently damaged. \n\n\nThis event will take place at Northern District library\, 40 Orchard View Blvd\, at Yonge & Eglinton. Admission is $5 for CFIC members; $10 for non-members. Payment at the door. \nFor more information\, please go to Tony’s website.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/scientology-vs-tony-ortega-paulette-cooper/
LOCATION:Northern District Library\, 40 Orchard View Blvd\, Yonge & Eglinton\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M4R 1B9\, Canada
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150610T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150610T210000
DTSTAMP:20150528T223441Z
CREATED:20150506T045909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150528T223441Z
UID:5652-1433964600-1433970000@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:Jerry Coyne in Toronto to discuss his new book
DESCRIPTION:On Wednesday\, June 10th\, at 7:30 pm CFIC Toronto Branch is thrilled to have\, \n JERRY COYNE\,\nUniversity of Chicago evolutionary geneticist\,\npresenting his new book\n \nClick for Tickets\, Books and Memberships\nJerry A. Coyne is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. He received a B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology at Harvard University. After a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of California at Davis\, he took his first academic position as assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at The University of Maryland. \nIn 1996 he joined the faculty of The University of Chicago and has been there ever since. Coyne’s work has been largely concerned with the genetics of species differences\, aimed at understanding the evolutionary processes that produce new species.  He has written 115 scientific papers and more than 130 popular articles\, book reviews\, and columns\, as well as a scholarly book about his research area—Speciation\, co-authored with H. Allen Orr—and a trade book about the evidence for evolution—Why Evolution is True\, which was a New York Times bestseller. His next book\, Faith vs. Fact: Why Science and Religion are Incompatible (Viking/Penguin Random House) will appear in May\, 2015. Coyne is a contributor The New York Times\, The New Republic\, The Times Literary Supplement\, The Guardian\, The Nation\, USA Today\, and other popular periodicals.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/jerry-coyne/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/JC2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150525T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150525T210000
DTSTAMP:20150226T040456Z
CREATED:20150226T040455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150226T040456Z
UID:5168-1432580400-1432587600@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. – Science & Philosophy Book Club – “The Moral Arc" by Michael Shermer
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n \nMichael Shermer is the author of Why People Believe Weird Things\, The Believing Brain\, and eight other books on the evolution of human beliefs and behavior. He is the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine\, and an adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University. \nIn his newest book (Jan 2015) The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth\, Justice\, and Freedom\, Shermer attempts to explain how abstract reasoning\, rationality\, empiricism\, skepticism – scientific ways of thinking – have profoundly changed the way we perceive morality and move us closer to a more just world. \nCarol Tavris\, Ph.D.\, social psychologist and author said\, “I suspect that people will be arguing with Michael Shermer’s premise before they read a page: ‘The moral arc is bending toward truth\, justice\, and freedom? Is he hallucinating? Just look at…’ In these cynical times\, where right and left foresee disaster and despair (albeit for different reasons)\, Shermer’s monumental opus\, spanning centuries\, nations\, and cultures\, is bound to provoke debate and open minds. Exactly what an important work of skepticism\, science\, and reason should do.”
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-the-moral-arc-by-michael-shermer/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150514T200000
DTSTAMP:20150502T035103Z
CREATED:20150502T015430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150502T035103Z
UID:5608-1431630000-1431633600@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:Bigfoot lives! at CFIC T.O.
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, May 14th hear Jarret Ruminski tell us that…\nBigfoot Lives!…Sort of: Why Sasquatch Persists in the Information Age\nWhere?:           at CFI Canada Toronto Branch\, 55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307  \nWhen?:             from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. \nCost?:               FREE for CFI Canada members who present their card \n                            $5 admission for non-members \n\n\n\n\nBigfoot. Sasquatch. Wildman. Whatever you want to call it\, this legendary hirsute giant is North America’s favourite\, frustratingly elusive\, spectacularly camera-shy\, forest-foraging bipedal hominid. \n\n\nBut Bigfoot isn’t just a mythical creature who lurks in the shadows of pop-culture. Despite the paucity of physical evidence for its existence\, Bigfoot is alive and well in the world today. Of course\, the beast isn’t literally alive\, but the search for Sasquatch continues to flourish in the Information Age. Indeed\, the idea of Bigfoot lives on because of the Information Age. \n\n\nRather than rehash old arguments about whether or not Bigfoot exists\, Jarret Ruminski will explain why the digitally connected\, twenty-first century world supports a thriving Sasquatch subculture\, and he’ll illuminate why Bigfoot believers…well…believe! \n\n\nThis presentation will introduce you to the mind-bending world of Bigfoot enthusiasts\, where online technology\, black-helicopter-laden conspiracy theories\, crackpot pseudoscience\, anti-elitism\, salt-of-the-earth populism\, and even some genuine curiosity combine to create a fascinating Sasquatch subculture. \n\nNot only will Ruminski explain who Bigfoot believers are and why they believe\, he’ll also dispel any simplistic notions you may have about them being a mere collection of fringe weirdos. While some Bigfooters are clearly bonkers\, others are perfectly “normal” people. Ruminski will also connect belief in Sasquatch to broader cultural trends concerning urbanization\, the declining human relationship with nature\, and an increasing suspicion of authorities and institutions.\n\nBIOGRAPHY\n\nJarret Ruminski is a research consultant\, writer\, and recovering academic who does consulting work for several Canadian non-profit and governmental organizations. He also holds a PhD in American history from the University of Calgary\, where he taught courses in American\, Latin-American\, and World history.\nHe specializes in analyzing human behaviour and political and historical trends\, and has been fascinated with Bigfoot and pseudoscience since he was a monster-smitten youngster. In addition to his consulting work\, he blogs regularly about the intersection of U.S. history\, politics\, and pop-culture at That Devil History. He has also written several pieces on U.S. politics and history for Salon.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/bigfoot-lives-at-cfic-t-o/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bfoot.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150427T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150427T210000
DTSTAMP:20150407T020621Z
CREATED:20150128T025757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150407T020621Z
UID:4919-1430161200-1430168400@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. Science & Philosophy Book Club - "god is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \nIn Hitch we trust! \nThis month we look at a pillar\, a cornerstone\, a mainstay in the New (Gnu) Atheist movement written by\, arguably\, the most popular of the Four Horsemen\, Christopher Hitchens: god is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. \nPublishers Weekly said of the book: “Hitchens\, one of our great political pugilists\, delivers the best of the recent rash of atheist manifestos. The same contrarian spirit that makes him delightful reading as a political commentator…makes him an entertaining huckster prosecutor once he has god placed in the dock.”` \nEye Weekly said\, “[Hitchens is] an intellectual pugilist\, and in god is Not Great he kicks sand in the face of the biggest bully of all: religion.” \n  \n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-science-philosophy-book-club-god-is-not-great-how-religion-poisons-everything-by-christopher-hitchens/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150415T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150415T203000
DTSTAMP:20150406T050952Z
CREATED:20150330T040632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150406T050952Z
UID:5429-1429124400-1429129800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. Timothy Caulfield: "Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?"
DESCRIPTION:CFI Canada – Toronto Branch is pleased to present:\nTimothy Caulfield\nWednesday April 15th\, 7:00 – 8:30 pm\nOISE Auditorium\, 252 Bloor St W\n \nHis explosive new book Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash challenges pseudoscientific and sometimes dangerous advice from celebrities. \nTickets:           $ 15 for CFIC members (w/proof); $ 20 non-members\n\nTim’s Book :  $ 20 for CFIC members (w/proof); $ 25 non-members\n\nPurchase tickets and books NOW at Eventbrite. \ni) Tickets can be purchased at the door and CFIC members need to show current membership card for discount. \nii) There will be an after-event social gathering at the Duke of York. Please RSVP at events@cficanada.ca if you want to attend. \nTimothy spent a year not only extensively researching and talking to a myriad of experts\, but also trying some celebrity-recommended health\, diet and beauty routines. And he will be giving a vivid recounting of his experiences in attempting these pseudoscientific remedies and practices\, and discuss the benefits\, if any\, and detriments of such programs. \nTimothy and his new book are making a difference with headlines such as “How Science tells us to Ignore Celebrity Endorsements“ New Scientist\, and “Caulfield Offers Straight-Forward\, Science-Based Advice for Health and Wellness“ MetroNews Canada. He is also in high demand for media interviews. Recent Canadian interviews can be found in the Ottawa Citizen\, Edmonton Journal\, Huffington Post\, CBC Radio’s The Current\, Toronto Star\, Globe and Mail and many more. \nThe speaking engagement\, “When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash”\, will give attendees an extremely informative take on everything from holistic medicines to fad diets\, from the mouth of the acclaimed Timothy Caulfield\, the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. The event is a single feature speaking engagement\, and everyone who is interested in critical thought\, the health debate or science in general is invited to attend. \nAny questions\, please email: events@cficanada.ca or torontoteam@cficanada.ca
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/timothy-caulfield-on-his-book-is-gwyneth-paltrow-wrong-about-everything/
LOCATION:OISE Auditorium G162\, 252 Bloor Street West\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5S 1V6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150330T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150330T210000
DTSTAMP:20150304T041155Z
CREATED:20150102T034101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150304T041155Z
UID:4725-1427742000-1427749200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. – Science & Philosophy Book Club – “Thinking\, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy \n \nIn the highly anticipated Thinking\, Fast and Slow\, Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast\, intuitive\, and emotional; System 2 is slower\, more deliberative\, and more logical. The author exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking\, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. \nThe impact of loss aversion and overconfidence on corporate strategies\, the difficulties of predicting what will make us happy in the future\, the challenges of properly framing risks at work and at home\, the profound effect of cognitive biases on everything from playing the stock market to planning the next vacation—each of these can be understood only by knowing how the two systems work together to shape our judgments and decisions. \nEngaging the reader in a lively conversation about how we think\, Kahneman reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking. He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives—and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble. Thinking\, Fast and Slow will transform the way you think about thinking.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-science-philosophy-book-club-thinking-fast-and-slow-by-daniel-kahneman/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150223T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150223T210000
DTSTAMP:20150128T031217Z
CREATED:20141230T170651Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150128T031217Z
UID:4702-1424718000-1424725200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. – Science & Philosophy Book Club - "Time Reborn: From the Crisis in Physics to the Future of the Universe" by Lee Smolin
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n The fact that time is real may seem obvious. You experience it passing every day when you watch clocks tick\, bread toast\, and children grow. But most physicists see things differently\, from Newton to Einstein to today’s quantum theorists. For them\, time isn’t real. You may think you experience time passing\, but they say it’s just an illusion.   What if the laws of physics themselves were not timeless? What if they could evolve? Time Reborn: From the Crisis in Physics to the Future of the Universe offers a radical new approach to cosmology that embraces the reality of time and opens up a whole new universe of possibilities. There are few ideas that\, like our notion of time\, shape our thinking about literally everything\, with major implications for physics and beyond—from climate change to the economic crisis. \nSmolin explains in lively and lucid prose how the true nature of time impacts our world. \nLee Smolin is tentatively scheduled to do a speaking event at CFIC Toronto Branch in 2015. When details are finalized\, the event will be posted.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfi-science-philosophy-book-club-time-reborn-from-the-crisis-in-physics-to-the-future-of-the-universe-by-lee-smolin/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150222T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150222T153000
DTSTAMP:20150213T003702Z
CREATED:20150206T164525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150213T003702Z
UID:4993-1424606400-1424619000@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:MOVED - CFIC T.O. Darwin Day
DESCRIPTION:(Due to the dangerously cold weather conditions on Sunday Feb.15th\, we have moved Darwin Day to this day\, Sunday\, February 22nd\, 12:00pm to 3:30pm)\n \nCFI Canada – Toronto is belatedly celebrating\n \nDarwin Day!\n \nWe are having a party to honour Charles Darwin’s 206th birthday and “this view of life\,” held at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307. Feel free to wear a white beard. \nOn offer will be coffee\, soft drinks\, cake and pizza as we watch a screening of the 3-part TV documentary series The Genius of Charles Darwin written and presented by Dawkins. He argues that Darwin is one of the greatest thinkers that humanity has ever produced (and that Ken Ham is not); right up there with Galileo\, Einstein and Newton.\n\nThe suggested donation is $5. The office will be having a sale on select t-shirts\, magazines and books. Also\, you can purchase our specialty teas\, made specifically for CFI Canada.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-t-o-darwin-day/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto,Social Gathering
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150208T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150208T210000
DTSTAMP:20150128T030321Z
CREATED:20150120T215300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150128T030321Z
UID:4904-1423414800-1423429200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Atheists and Friends Meetup
DESCRIPTION:CFIC Toronto Atheists and Friends (TAaF) meetups are fun and discussion groups focusing on a range of topics within the realm of atheism. They’re open to the public and everyone is welcome to join in! \nIt is normally held every FIRST Sunday of the month at 5:00 p.m.\, at Scallywags\, 11 St.Clair Ave. West\, reserved under the name ‘meetup’. Exceptions to these location details will be posted clearly when and if they apply on meetup.com. Sunday Feb. 1st is the Super Bowl\, so that’s why we’ve postponed it one week to February 8th.  \nThis event is free and open to the public event. However\, we are able to host this and many other events of its kind due to memberships and donations given by people just like you. \nAny questions\, please email CFIC T.O.’s Events Coordinator Christopher Myrick at events@cficanada.ca.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-toronto-atheists-and-friends-meetup/
LOCATION:Scallywag’s\, 11 St Clair Ave\, Toronto\, ontario\, Canada
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150127T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150127T190000
DTSTAMP:20150121T022324Z
CREATED:20150120T205441Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150121T022324Z
UID:4900-1422379800-1422385200@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC T.O. - Silence of the Labs: Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Centre for Inquiry Canada – Toronto branch is co-hosting an event with the U of T School of Public Policy. There will be a screening of the CBC Fifth Estate documentary called “Silence of the Labs” followed by a panel discussion.\n\n \n\n\n \nThis documentary highlights the ongoing challenges facing scientists and researchers as a result of federal budget cuts\, presented by Evidence for Democracy. In the past five years\, hundreds of Canadian scientists have been forced to discontinue their work as a result of lack of funding. The result is less informed policy making and potentially severe issues overlooked or misunderstood.\n\n \nThe event is free but you will need to go to Eventbrite by clicking “Register Now” below to select your ticket quantity\, print and bring your  registration to the event entrance:\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\nLocation\nCG-160\nCanadiana Gallery\n14 Queen’s Park Crescent West\, Toronto \n\n\nThe film presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with: \n\nProf. Steve Easterbrook\, Department of Computer Science\, U of T\nProf. Richard Peltier\, Department of Physics\, U of T\nProf. Margrit Eichler\, OISE and Executive Director of Scientists for the Right to Know\n\nAgenda \n5:30 pm: Opening remarks\n5:35 – 6:20 pm:   Presentation of the film\n6:20 – 7:00 pm:  Panel discussion and Q&A \nEvidence for Democracy (E4D) is a national\, non-partisan\, and non-for profit organization that advocates for the transparent use of science and evidence in public policy and government decision-making.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-toronto-silence-of-the-labs-documentary-screening-panel-discussion/
LOCATION:Canadian Gallery\, Room CG-160\, 14 Queen’s Park Crescent West\, Toronto\, Ontario\, Canada
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/SilenceoftheLabs_web_02c.png
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20150126T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20150126T210000
DTSTAMP:20150102T034222Z
CREATED:20141230T165859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20150102T034222Z
UID:4699-1422298800-1422306000@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFIC - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion" by Sam Harris
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \n \nFor the millions of Americans who say they want spirituality without religion\, Sam Harris says his new book is a guide to meditation as a rational spiritual practice informed by neuroscience and psychology. \nFrom multiple New York Times bestselling author\, neuroscientist\, and “New Atheist” Sam Harris\, Waking Up is for the 30 percent of Americans who follow no religion\, but who suspect that Jesus\, Buddha\, Lao Tzu\, Rumi\, and the other saints and sages of history could not have all been epileptics\, schizophrenics\, or frauds. Throughout the book\, Harris argues that there are important “truths” to be found in the experiences of such contemplatives—and\, therefore\, that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow. \n Waking Up is part seeker’s memoir and part exploration of the scientific underpinnings of spirituality. No other book marries contemplative wisdom and modern science in this way\, and no author other than Sam Harris—a scientist\, philosopher\, and famous skeptic—could write it.
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfi-science-philosophy-book-club-waking-up-a-guide-to-spirituality-without-religion-by-sam-harris/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20141229T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20141229T210000
DTSTAMP:20141211T043609Z
CREATED:20141209T041943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20141211T043609Z
UID:4513-1419879600-1419886800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFI Toronto - Science & Philosophy Book Club - "A Universe from Nothing" by Lawrence M. Krauss
DESCRIPTION:This group is hosted by CFI Canada members Christine Gagnon and Vlad Bunea at our National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E.\, Suite 307\, Buzzer Code 49\, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Suggested donation is $5. There is an after-event at a location near the office. \nThe goal is to provide a friendly\, free-thinking environment in which to discuss books that inspire rewarding conversation on subjects related to science and philosophy. \nThis month we look at Lawrence Krauss’ book that tries to offer a paradigm-shifting view of how everything that exists came to be in the first place. \n“Where did the universe come from? What was there before it? What will the future bring? And finally\, why is there something rather than nothing?” \nReviews were mixed. Philosopher of science and physicist David Albert\, in a review for The New York Times\, said the book failed to live up to its title\, and he criticized Krauss for dismissing concerns about his use of the term nothing to refer to a quantum vacuum instead of a “philosopher’s or theologian’s idealized ‘nothing'” (i.e. instead of having the meaning “not anything”).[5] \nCommenting on the philosophical debate sparked by (and largely ignored in) the book\, physicist Sean M. Carroll asks “Do advances in modern physics and cosmology help us address these underlying questions\, of why there is something called the universe at all\, and why there are things called “the laws of physics\,” and why those laws seem to take the form of quantum mechanics\, and why some particular wave function is Hamiltonian? In a word: no. I don’t see how they could.” \nPhysicist George F. R. Ellis\, who is an active Quaker and winner of the infamous Templeton Prize (awarded to a living person who\, in the estimation of the judges\, “has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension\,”) when asked whether Krauss has “solved the mystery of why there is something rather than nothing\,” notes that the “belief that all of reality can be fully comprehended in terms of physics and the equations of physics is a fantasy . . . Krauss does not address why the laws of physics exist\, why they have the form they have\, or in what kind of manifestation they existed before the universe existed (which he must believe if he believes they brought the universe into existence).” \n 
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/the-science-and-philosophy-book-club-a-universe-from-nothing-by-lawrence-m-krauss/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20141225T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20141225T220000
DTSTAMP:20141124T050457Z
CREATED:20141124T045636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20141124T050457Z
UID:4436-1419508800-1419544800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFI Toronto "No Expectations" Open House
DESCRIPTION:That’s right fellow heathens! \nWe are planning to have the very first CFI Canada’s “No Expectations” Open House on Dec.25th! (Don’t tell Sarah Palin or Bill O’Reilly). It’s going to be held at National Headquarters\, 55 Eglinton Ave E\, Suite 307. \nCheck back for specific hours (likely noon until early evening; depends on who shows up). We’re going to have refreshments\, games\, music and movies. \nStop on in and hang out\, whether you’re on your way to a family event or if you have no plans. We’re open for secular-related business! Or just give the office a call and wish everyone a seasons greetings! \nAny questions\, you can email CFI Toronto Branch Manager\, Wil McDowell at gta@cficanada.ca
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfi-toronto-no-expectations-open-house/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20141206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20141206T203000
DTSTAMP:20141124T072117Z
CREATED:20141124T063302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20141124T072117Z
UID:4448-1417892400-1417897800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFI Toronto - Dr. Afzal Upal - "A Victim of Islam and Islamophobia"
DESCRIPTION:On Saturday December 6th at 7:00pm\, CFI Toronto is pleased to have Dr. Afzal Upal who will give a talk by the full title of\, “I’m a Victim of Islam & Islamophobia and I think Ben Affleck & Bill Maher Are Both Right.” \n \nDr. Upal is a cognitive scientist with contributions to Cognitive Science of Religion\, Machine Learning for Planning\,and Agent-based Social Simulations. He has published over 100 articles in peer reviewed publications.  He is co-editor (with Prof. James R. Lewis) of the forthcoming anthology “Islamic Sects & Islam-inpired Religious Movements.”
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/dr-afzal-upal-a-victim-of-islam-and-islamophobia/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centreforinquiry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/islamophobia1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CFI Toronto":MAILTO:ontario@cficanada.ca
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20141121T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20141121T203000
DTSTAMP:20141117T054517Z
CREATED:20141117T050251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20141117T054517Z
UID:4390-1416596400-1416601800@centreforinquiry.ca
SUMMARY:CFI Toronto - Bob Ripley: "Life Beyond Belief: A Preacher's Deconversion"
DESCRIPTION:This Friday\, November 21st at 7:00pm (there is a 15 minute window for getting settled)\, believe it or not!\, we welcome Bob Ripley a former Christian apologist and religion columnist who has come out as an Atheist. Mon dieu! \nDonations to support events are appreciated at the door but there is no ticket fee. \nIn his new book Life Beyond Belief: A Preacher’s Deconversion\, Bob tells the story of what led him to take early retirement as well as offering a thoughtful digest of the problems and delusions of religion. \nSo what would lead the minister of one of Canada’s largest mainline Protestant congregations\, a syndicated religion columnist\, broadcaster and author of Christian devotional material\, to change his mind and become an Atheist? For the answer(s)\, you’ll have to come out and join us. \n\n\n\nBob is a graduate of Western University and the University of Toronto. For over three decades he served as an ordained minister including work as Director of Communications for a relief and development organization and the host of a syndicated radio show. \nDuring that time he has been a weekly syndicated columnist and author. His website is: bobripley.ca \n\nThere will copies of Mr. Ripley’s book for sale at this event. For more information on the book: lifebeyondbelief.ca\n\n\nEvent location: \n\nCFI Canada HQ\n55 Eglinton Ave E Suite 307 – Lobby Code 49\nToronto ON M4P 1G8 \nParking: \nGreen P Parking at 75 Holly St. (2 short blocks east of Yonge St.) \n\nNight Maximum (6pm – 7am):     $5.00For more info contact events@cficanada.ca:\n\n\nChristopher Myrick\n\nEvents Coordinator\nCFI Canada – Toronto Branch
URL:https://centreforinquiry.ca/event/cfic-toronto-bob-ripley-life-beyond-belief-a-preachers-deconversion/
CATEGORIES:CFIC Toronto
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