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Free Inquiry Audio Edition

Center for Inquiry

The audio edition of Free Inquiry magazine, the Journal for Secular Humanist Ideas.

society & culture

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06:09

When, If at All, Are Assassinations Justified?

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/05/06

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

03:45

Trump vs. the Pope: Not Much to Choose From

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/28

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both promote deeply flawed and unjustifiable positions—one through harmful political leadership and the other through outdated religious doctrine.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:

05:01

Anti-Semitism Is Not the Principal Reason Israel Is...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/22

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:

03:55

Reaching for the Stars, But Mired in Oppressive...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/15

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:

26:07

Autonomy, Empathy, and Moral Inquiry amid Algorithmic AI

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/13

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

12:08

How Technology Is Quietly Replacing Religion:...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/08

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:

16:15

In Defense of Rational Criticism of Islam by Yamin

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/06

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

23:07

The Prophet and the Pathologist: Stephen Kent,...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/04/01

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:

07:45

Religious Motivation Is Real by Russell Blackford

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/03/30

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

06:32

Coming in 2026: The History of Freethought and...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/03/25

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:

06:17

Another Lament About Atheism by Ronald A. Lindsay

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/03/13

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:

05:13

We Need to Be Able to Criticize Religion—Including...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/03/04

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/

04:36

The MAGA Crowd's Crocodile Tears on Cancel Culture by...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/02/25

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:

04:04

Prayer—Religion's Not-So-Secret Weapon by Ronald A....

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/02/18

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

04:37

FI Editor Wanted by Ronald A. Lindsay

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/02/11

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:

17:01

What if The Messiah Came from Ethiopia Instead of...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/02/03

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

26:37

America's Dark and Forgotten History of Female...

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/02/02

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

07:16

The Five Challenges Unanswered by Bill Cooke

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/01/29

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

25:22

The Mythicist Claim: Not Likely by Ronald A. Lindsay

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/01/28

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:

42:22

A CERN-Level Proof of Mythicism by Don Wharton

Free Inquiry Audio Edition ·

2026/01/26

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

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