http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

March 7, 2010—“Should there be any restrictions on the wearing of burquas or hijabs in public?”  This is a topic for general discussion without a formal presentation.

Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

March 14, 2010—“Six Ways Our Minds Mislead Us!” by Scott Schupbach, a student of Classic Languages at GVSU and former Moody Bible Student.  Scott will discuss the book by Thomas Kida-“Don’t believe everything you think.”

Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

March 21, 2010—“Philanthropy’s Role in Civil Society” by Salvatore Alaimo, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration at GVSU.  Sal will address:  What is philanthropy and what role does it have in American civil society and culture?  He will look at historical and contemporary issues.

Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

March 28, 2010—Geoffrey Saint will speak on the Secular and Religious Issues of Marriage (title to be clarified).

Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

Starbucks continues to stand up for our rights! – Sign the petition at Petition Spot.

Ask Starbucks to continue to stand up for our rights!

Over the past few months, more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks in clear legal exercise of their legally obtained concealed carry and open weapon permits.

While business can legally create policies to prohibit guns from being carried in their establishments — and so far, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have chosen to bar open carrying as is within their rights and at the request of a portion of their customers. Starbucks has refused to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in its stores, despite protests from loyal customers.

The practice of legally carrying weapons in places like Starbucks is lawful and should be supported by our families and communities — and should be supported by Starbucks and your patronage to them.

It’s everyone’s right to be able to sit in a restaurant or coffee shop with their families with their lawfully registered and permitted weapon whether concealed or openly carried. Under the law. While we understand that Starbucks has the right to adopt a gun-free policy, with an exception for uniformed police officers. We fully support that they have chosen not to adopt such a policy that would infringe on our rights.

It is critical that we tell Starbucks to allow legally owned and permitted guns in its stores. To assuage fears from those individuals who have fears, perhaps Starbucks could display signs encouraging proper gun safety training.

Sign the petition and let Starbucks know that you want them to continue to stand up for the safety and freedoms of our nation and to continue to support our local, state, and federal gun policies in all Starbucks stores.

Help to spread the word on facebook, twitter, email and other media.

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

http://www.cfimichigan.org/events/calendar/

February 27, 2010, 7:30pm–9:00pm
Wealthy Street Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, View Map

Presented by Jamy Ian Swiss, World-Renowned Magician & Mentalist
Description

BUY TICKETS
“Don’t miss ASTONISHING magician Jamy Ian Swiss!” — Vanity Fair

“Professional magician Jamy Ian Swiss, who describes himself as ‘an honest liar,’ is one CONFIRMED SKEPTIC with a finely tuned sense of the absurd.” — The Washington Post

“You’re freaking me out.” — Matt Lauer, The TODAY Show

Witness an amazing performance of baffling, unnerving, “mind reading” phenomena – accomplished with pure psychology, subtle influence, deft illusion, uncanny intuition, and a healthy dose of downright deception – what Jamy calls “sleight of mind.

Tickets are only $10/ $5 students ($8 FOC members) BUY TICKETS

If there was such a thing as psychic power, it would have to look like this! Come and see for yourself how five ordinary senses can convince you that somehow, some way – there must be a sixth.

Don’t miss the Science, Magic & Skepticism Workshop with Jamy Ian Swiss & DJ Grothe – from 1:00-5:00pm. Workshop is $35/ $20 students ($30 FOC members).

We also invite you to a special Pre-show Reception with Jamy & DJ from 5:00-6:00pm. Reception is $30/ $12 students ($25 FOC members) and includes hors D’oeuvres & a variety of beverages.

BUY TICKETS (Tickets for all sections available here).

Note: Heavy Mental is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Children under 8 will not be admitted.
About the Speaker

A gifted sleight-of-hand artist who possesses, as the Washington Post once wrote, “a finely tuned sense of the absurd,” Jamy Ian Swiss has performed magic throughout the United States and in 13 countries around the world.

His wildly eclectic resume includes stints as a marketing consultant, telecommunications firm owner, and wild animal handler. His greatest passion, though, is sleight-of-hand magic, and there are few practitioners who can match his skill and enthusiasm. Swiss blends contemporary comedy with bravura technical mastery to create a truly unique show that appeals to almost any audience. He has been called magician, comedian, artist; Swiss himself prefers the phrase “Honest Liar.”

A busy and highly regarded writer, Swiss contributes a monthly book review column to Genii, the Conjuror’s Magazine; is the author of 11 books and monographs of magic for magicians (including a volume published in Japanese); a contributor and advisor to the book, Magic for Dummies, and many more. He has made numerous television appearances in the United States, Europe and Japan, including CBS 48 Hours, PBS Nova and the PBS documentary The Art of Magic, and Comedy Central. He also served as a comedy writer and chief magic consultant for Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular, a weekly television variety show on the FX network.

Cost: $10/ $5 Students ($8 members) BUY TICKETS NOW

Contact: Jennifer Beahan, michigan@centerforinquiry.net, 616-698-2342

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

http://www.cfimichigan.org/events/event/mi-magicskept-workshop/

February 27, 2010, 1:00pm–5:00pm
Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, View Map
Description

Science, Magic & Skepticism Workshop with DJ Grothe & Jamy Ian Swiss. Using discussion and demonstration, we’ll explore the connection between magic and skepticism.
D.J. Grothe, The History of Magic in Skepticism
Jamy Ian Swiss, The Illusion of Psychic Powers
Q&A on Magic, Skepticism, Science, & Reason with Swiss & Grothe

BUY TICKETS NOW

About the Presenters

Jamy Ian Swiss is a gifted sleight-of-hand artist who possesses, as the Washington Post once wrote, “a finely tuned sense of the absurd.” His greatest passion is sleight-of-hand magic, and there are few practitioners who can match his skill and enthusiasm. Swiss contributes a monthly book review column to Genii, the Conjuror’s Magazine; is the author of 11 books and monographs of magic for magicians; a contributor and advisor to the book, Magic for Dummies, and many more. He has made numerous television appearances in the United States, Europe and Japan, including CBS 48 Hours, PBS Nova and the PBS documentary The Art of Magic, and Comedy Central.

DJ Grothe is Vice President and Director for Outreach Programs at Center for Inquiry. He hosts the nationally popular radio show and podcast, Point of Inquiry, discussing fundamental questions with the world’s thought-leaders. An Associate Editor of Free Inquiry Magazine, DJ lectures and debates frequently on topics surrounding science and central beliefs at colleges and universities throughout the United States. As a “mind-reader” and magician, Grothe studies the processes of deception and self-deception. His award-winning performances focus on the powers of the mind, parapsychology, and the challenge that skeptics bring to paranormal claims.

Cost: $35 non-FOC, $30 FOC, $20 student

Contact: Jennifer Beahan, michigan@centerforinquiry.net, 616-698-2342

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

February 28, 2010, 10:00am–12:00pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

February 28, 2009:  “The boogeyman” by Steve Andersen, juggler, unicyclist, Buddhist, billiards player, and long-time CFI member.

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

February 14, 2010, 10:00am–12:00pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957

http://www.cfimichigan.org/

The mission of the Center for Inquiry | Michigan is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values.

February 21, 2010, 10:00am–12:00pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, View Map
Description

February 21, 2009:  We will discuss the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations the same rights as natural citizens in “free speech”.  We have no presenter on this topic.  We hope to have some lawyers in the audience.  If you have the opportunity please do some reading on this decision and topic before you come to the meeting.

Café Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we will break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.

Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob Collins if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.

Cost: Free

Contact: Bob Collins, bcollins@centerforinquiry.net, 616-638-1957