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To view this month's articles on the CFIC website, go to centreforinquiry.ca/may-2025-critical-links/ or check out the Critical Links archive.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Thanks and Farewell to Edan Tasca

After 7 years, Edan is stepping down as Critical Links Editor. Edan will be staying on as CFIC Director, and we also hope to see him as an occasional contributor here.

Thanks to Edan for a job well done!

Update on "Omer" — May 2025

Progress on Omer’s case remains slow. We continue to appreciate the generosity of all our donorsl. Read more

Leadership volunteers needed:

CFIC is looking for capable, independent self-starters who support our mission, vision, and values.

Find out more

Were you fooled?

Thanks to everyone who subscribed to CFIC's first Critical Thinking Week(ish) emails, and participated in the discussions. If you missed it, you can check out the series here.

Ottawa Skeptics in the Pub: May 6

Tired of listening to people make unlikely claims or promote outlandish theories? Come out and meet friendly skeptics, atheists, humanists, and freethinkers at Skeptics in the Pub. Find out more.

CFIC Town Hall Meeting: May 11

CFIC is launching a series of town hall gatherings

Once in a month we will gather on Zoom to discuss a selected topic relevant to our society and our democracy. Find out more.

The Non-Religion in a Complex Future Project is conducting research into how people experience loss. They are specifically looking for individuals who have experienced a close loss in the last year. If you’d like to participate, you can complete the survey here.

WeCanReason: May 2-4

CFIC is a co-sponsor of the Western Canadian Reason (WeCanReason) conference, presented by Rocky Mountain Atheists. Purchase tickets here.

Are radiation protections standards scientific? May 7 Rick Mott discusses how these standards came to be and if, how, and why they should be improved. Read more

BAHACon: Aug 8-10 (Earlybird Tickets Available)

CFIC is a co-sponsor of BAHACon, presented by Bluewater Atheists, Humanists, Agnostics. Earlybird tickets are on sale until June 30.

Podcast for Inquiry Recent Episodes:

Subscribe through your favourite podcast app for new episodes.

Missed an Event? Please Check Online

Recordings of past events are available on our national YouTube channel.

CFIC is committed to asking difficult questions, which can include talks on controversial subjects. Hosting a speaker does not imply agreement with their views.

SCIENCE

Promising research on nuclear reactors

Todd De Ryck

The future of nuclear microreactors. Read more.

QuickLinks: Poisoning mosquitoes with blood, earthquakes, concrete, mind-body connections, alien life?

SECULARISM/HUMAN RIGHTS

This Life: My Eureka Moment

Ben Andrews

Physics trumps magic. Read more.

QuickLinks: Faith-healing conviction,theocracy in Pakistan, impending theocracy in the US

CRITICAL THINKING

Being a member of CFIC and effecting Real Change

Russell Pangborn

Highlighting the importance of vigilance against outdated laws that might resurface in unexpected ways. Read more.

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The Stick In My Eye

John Lombard

Examining "conventional wisdom" about religious indoctrination.

Read more.

Elections and Democracy

Sandra Dunham

Evaluate, vote and resist the urge to become more partisan.

Read more.

Keith's Conundrums: Probably

Keith Douglas

Commentary from last month. This month: Thoughts on probability. Read more.

QuickLinks: Cars, trolleys, journals, and being polite to AIs

May Dates of Interest


Biological diversity, sex and gender diversity, peacekeeping, and more


If you observe any of these, or have suggestions for upcoming celebrations or other events to recognize, please drop us a line or send a picture to CriticalLinks@centreforinquiry.ca

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