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Contact: Justin Trottier Phone: (416) 402-8856 E-mail: jtrottier@centerforinquiry.net Web site: http://www.cfiontario.org

Blasphemy Day & Famous Skeptic Michael Shermer to Speak in Toronto
Leading Atheist & Skeptic Organization To Host Events for Free Speech, Skepticism

Toronto, Ont. (September 21, 2009) - Centre for Inquiry, which promotes free and skeptical inquiry, will host a series of back to back events. Our Campaign for Free Expression will launch the first annual International Blasphemy Day on September 30, 2009. Then Michael Shermer, Editor of Skeptic Magazine and Director of the Skeptics Society, will speak on “Why People Believe Weird Things” on October 2, 2009.

“Society bends over backward to be accommodating to religious sensibilities but not to other kinds,” proclaimed leading atheist Richard Dawkins. “Hiding behind the smoke screen of untouchability is something religions have been allowed to get away with for too long.”

“In light of attempts by the UN Human Rights Council to police for blasphemy under ‘defamation of religion,’ Canadian Human Rights Commissions hauling before them journalists that speak their mind, student unions banning debates on controversial issues like abortion, and so much else, the Centre for Inquiry has established this Campaign,” said CFI Canada Executive Director Justin Trottier.

International Blasphemy Day is a day to promote free speech and stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to challenge, criticize, and satirize religion without fear of murder, litigation, and reprisal. September 30th is the anniversary of the publishing of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons. “There is no such thing as a right to not be offended,” said Trottier.

Moving away from religion but still likely to offend, on Friday, October 2 at 7:00pm, Michael Shermer, author of The Science of Good and Evil and Why Darwin Matters will debunk everything from Near Death Experiences and UFO abduction to creationism and holocaust denial. Dr. Shermer is columnist for Scientific American and Adjunct Professor of Economics at Claremont Graduate University. The presentation takes place at the MacLeod Auditorium, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, University of Toronto.

The Centre for Inquiry is Canada’s premiere venue advancing reason, science, secularism and free inquiry, and serving as home for humanists, skeptics and freethinkers. CFI hosts a wide range of educational programs, social and community services, campus outreach, publications and multimedia. Visit www.cfiontario.org

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