What we’re about
Welcome to the New York City branch of the Center for Inquiry (CFI).
The Center for Inquiry strives to foster a secular society based on reason, science, free inquiry, and humanist values. The Center for Inquiry New York City sponsors leading thinkers for lectures and panel discussions on science, philosophy, and religion; supports local community events and campus groups; and works with media and opinion makers. We also hold social events to help build a friendly community of secular citizens here in New York City.
For more information, please visit our Web site where you can also signup to receive our monthly newsletter (just click Receive E-Mails at the lower right, and keep up to date on CFI-NYC upcoming events!) .
CFI NYC is a member of Reasonable New York, a coalition of many groups around the New York
area devoted to critical thinking, and celebrating science and secularism.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Conversation Day in Bryant Park (FREE!)Bryant Park (meet in front of the fountain), New York, NY
You invited to attend this yearly event sponsored by Conversations New York! Imagine up to 100 of your fellow NYers gathered around the fountain in Bryant Park then breaking into small groups to share our opinions and experience in scintillating conversations with our neighbors!
There are multiple simultaneous conversations scheduled, you can pick and choose by topic when you arrive. One table will be hosted by CFI's Laurence M, and the topic will be ,"Is the US losing its Edge?"
Please be sure to sign up here: Conversation Day Around the Bryant Park Fountain—Hosts: Laurence, Jeff, Michael, Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 3:00 PM | Meetup
When you arrive, look for Yen at the table with a yellow tablecloth!
I hope you'll join us!
- Scopes Trial Centennial Conference - Chattanooga TNChattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
REGISTER NOW: https://centerforinquiry.org/scopes-trial-centennial-conference/
The Scopes Trial Centennial Conference, hosted by the Center for Inquiry (CFI) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), commemorates the 100th anniversary of the historic Scopes “Monkey Trial,” a landmark case in 1925 that pitted biblical literalism against evolutionary science and argued whether American schools would be places of science education or religious indoctrination.This special event will explore the trial’s history and its lasting impact on science, education, and the law. Attendees will hear from renowned speakers from the fields of evolutionary biology, law, and history and will have the opportunity to visit the site of the famous trial at the historic Rhea County Court House in Dayton, Tennessee, as well as the statue of Clarence Darrow by Zenos Frudakis erected by FFRF several years ago.
The Chattanoogan ballroom capacity is limited, so only 250 seats will be available for this special centenary conference. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register early!Hotel Information:
The Chattanoogan Hotel -1201 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN
Listed below are the available reservation methods:
Attendees can click this link and enter the arrival and departure dates to begin the reservation process. Guests are responsible for making their own reservations with the correct arrival and departure dates
OR
Attendees can call the hotel directly at (423) 756-3400. Provide the front desk the arrival date and group name – FFRF/CFI SCOPES TRIAL or group code- GSCOPE
Reservations must be made prior to the cutoff date of 06.27.25 and/or before the block is full, whichever comes first, in order to guarantee availability of the rooms and discounted group rate.Reservations made after the cutoff date will be accommodated based on availability, at the best available rate and at the discretion of the hotel.
