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- 6 days ago3 min
Speaker Mike Johnson: Ideologue and Hypocrite
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/
- 1 weeks ago6 min
When, If at All, Are Assassinations Justified?
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/
- 3 weeks ago3 min
Trump vs. the Pope: Not Much to Choose From
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both promote deeply flawed and unjustifiable positions—one through harmful political leadership and the other through outdated religious doctrine.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/
- 3 weeks ago5 min
Anti-Semitism Is Not the Principal Reason Israel Is Losing Support
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/
- Apr 15, 20263 min
Reaching for the Stars, But Mired in Oppressive Fantasies
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/
- Apr 13, 202626 min
Autonomy, Empathy, and Moral Inquiry amid Algorithmic AI
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/
- Apr 8, 202612 min
How Technology Is Quietly Replacing Religion: Algorithms, Rituals, and the Architecture of Belief by David W. Falls
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/
- Apr 6, 202616 min
In Defense of Rational Criticism of Islam by Yamin
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/
About Free Inquiry Audio Edition
The audio edition of Free Inquiry magazine, the Journal for Secular Humanist Ideas.
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