April 15th/2016

CFI Canada’s mission is to provide education and training to the public in the application of skeptical, secular, rational and humanistic inquiry through conferences, symposia, lectures, published works and the maintenance of a library.

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Front Page

• Liberals onside with public opinion on doctor-assisted dying legislation; Few tough decisions for the Liberals as their legislation avoids controversial choices

• B.C. declares public health emergency as overdoses surge again; British Columbia has declared a public health emergency after another surge in drug-related overdoses and deaths, making it the first province in the country to take such a step as others, including Ontario and Alberta, work to combat the effects of fentanyl.

• Not helping; Asked about the murder of Jagannath University Masters student Nazimuddin Samad, the home minister told BBC Bangla: “We need to see whether he used to write objectionable things on blogs.” No, no, no. It is almost impossible to quantify how wrong-headed and self-defeating this approach is. The point is not what Nazim may or may not have written. The point is that he has been slaughtered in public in cold blood. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina adds; “We perform our religious rituals. But, if anyone writes filthy words against our religion, then why should we tolerate that?”

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Upcoming Events

CFI Canada proudly presents A Talk From Dr. Ben Goldacre: Sunday May 15, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave (just south of Bloor). Ben is a best-selling author, broadcaster, campaigner, medical doctor and academic who specializes in unpicking the misuse of science and statistics by journalists, politicians, quacks, drug companies, and more.

• April 16th, Toronto: CFIC T.O. – Cafe Skeptique at Free Times Cafe. A discussion group that focuses on a range of topics within the realm of skepticism such as pseudo-science, alternative medicine, conspiracy theories, etc. It’s open to the public and everyone is welcome to join in! For the monthly topic please check at: meetup.com
• April 25th, Toronto: CFIC T.O. – Science & Philosophy Book Club. 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 and philosophy. This month’s selection: Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter
• May 1st, Toronto: CFIC T.O. Atheists & Friends Sunday Meetup. CFIC Toronto Atheists & Friends Sunday Meetup is a fun discussion group focusing on a range of topics within the realm of Atheism. They’re open to the public and everyone is welcome to join in!
• CFI Ottawa Living without Religion; This support group meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month, 12:30 pm, at the Fox and Feather Pub
• CFI Ottawa UnSermon; Sunday afternoons (12:30 pm), meet and share your ideas with Atheists, Freethinkers, and Humanists from the Ottawa area.
• CFI Calgary Skeptics in The Pub: This group meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Join us for drinks, discussion, and debate about all science and skeptical topics
• Okanagan – Secular Social. Now every second and fourth Monday of the month! Come to the pub and hang out with other skeptics and freethinkers. Mission Tap House and Grill, 3110 Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna. If you don’t recognize anyone, look for the table with the CFI sign.

Did you know the best place to find out about CFI Calgary events is on Meetup.com? It’s free to join and you will never miss hearing about a local Calgary event. Join over 1000 Calgarians who use Meetup to hear about, RSVP and comment on our events.

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          Let us know if you have an activity you’d like to share!

Faith-Based Violence and Bigotry

• How social media is helping atheists survive in one of the most religious places on earth; Nigeria is a religious place. But what if you aren’t? Atheism, while not illegal, is certainly taboo. Some young atheists are using social media to fight the stigma of not believing in God.

CFIC continues to monitor, document and condemn faith based violence and bigotry around the world.

Science, Medicine, and Ethics News

• Great monarch butterfly migration mystery solved; Scientists have built a model circuit that solves the mystery of one of nature’s most famous journeys – the great migration of monarch butterflies from Canada to Mexico.
• Greenland’s Ice Sheet Is Melting So Fast Right Now, Scientists Thought It Was an Error; Sure enough, thermometers on and around the ice showed temperatures as high as 64 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday—more than 35 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, and more typical of a warm day in July.
• Grieving father sues homeopath ‘who said his son’s cancer could be cured with vitamins’

A Spanish father has launched a court case against a homeopath he accuses of telling his son his cancer could be cured with “fungi and alcohol”. Julián Rodríguez’s son, Mario Rodríguez, died after shunning conventional medical advice to treat his leukaemia in favour of alternative remedies. The landmark case, which Julián hopes will result in stronger regulation on homeopathic practitioners, is expected to bring renewed pressure on Spain’s burgeoning alternative remedies industry.

Wishful Thinking and Superstition/Religion

• Court to spaghetti: You are not a god; In a 16-page decision, the U.S. District Court of Nebraska ruled that Pastafarianism is satire, not sacred, and that anyone who thinks it is a religion has made an error “of basic reading comprehension.”
• Declines in American Adults’ Religious Participation and Beliefs, 1972-2014; In recent years, fewer Americans prayed, believed in God, took the Bible literally, attended religious services, identified as religious, affiliated with a religion, or had confidence in religious institutions.

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Calendar of upcoming scientific conferences

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CALLING ALL NON-BELIEVERS . . . COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!

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Karla’s Atheist Breast Cancer Support Facebook group is now available. It’s private so you have to ask to join. Say you are an atheist with breast cancer and Karla will approve your request.

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Online Tools for Skeptical Fact Checking

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Do whatever it takes to avoid fooling yourself into thinking something is true that is not, or that something is not true that is.- Neil deGrasse Tyson

Critical Links is published every Tuesday And Friday

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