Biblical Archaeology, the Limits of Science and the Borders of Belief: An Inside Look at the Proof-for-Faith Industry
Nina Burleigh
Sunday, December 7 at 4:30 p.m.

      In her latest book, Unholy Business: A True Tale of Faith, Greed & Forgery in the Holy Land, journalist and author Nina Burleigh examines what Israeli authorities have called "the fraud of the century" - a scheme to modify actual archaeological objects or create entirely new ones to make them appear to verify biblical characters or stories, including the materiality of Christ and the existence of Solomon's Temple.
     Burleigh will discuss these characters, the scheme to defraud both high-end collectors and the gullible worldwide religious public, and how the case has put biblical archaeology on trial. She also will share the latest news from Israel about this trial that appears to be favoring the alleged forger.
     Burleigh has been published in Time, People, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, and many other publications. She also has written books on Napoleon's scientists in Egypt, the Smithsonian benefactor, and the murder of an American woman aristocrat. Her new book will be made available for sale and signing.

$6, or free for Friends of CFI

Costa Mesa Community Center
1845 Park Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1 block west of Newport and Harbor Blvd.

OC Skeptics Supper Club

OC Skeptics Supper Club

Please join us at 4:30 p.m. on the third Sundays of every month for our FEED YOUR BRAIN programs.

These events feature fascinating authors, scholars, and luminaries from many fields that expand our knowledge and understanding of the world and the people who inhabit it. CFI's naturalistic approach to wisdom holds that there is no issue exempt from examination and discussion. Admission to these events is $6, or free for Friends of the Center, unless otherwise noted.

Held at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1 block west of Newport and Harbor Blvd.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 18
Ron Lindsay
Secular Humanism and its Discontents

     What is secular humanism? What are its objectives? What is its importance? Why should one support it? Why are camparatively small numbers of the nonreligious actively involved in the secular humanist movement? These are some of the provocative and fundamental questions that will be addresed by Ronald A. Lindsay as he provides and unsparing review of the state of secular humanism today - and issues a rousing call to arms. Dr. Lindsay demonstrates the critical significance of the secular perspective, especially as it relates to public policy.
     A secular approach to public policy is cogently set forth in Dr. Lindsay's recently published book, Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the talk.
     Lindsay is the new chief executive office of the Center for Inquiry.

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Sunday, February 15
In celebration of Darwin Day
David Contosta
Rebel Giants: Darwin and Lincoln's Revolutionary Lives

     In 2009, the world will celebrate the 200th anniversaries of two giants, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, who were both born on the same day in the same year - February 12, 1809. Both men escaped the intellectual straight jackets of their age to lead revolutions that continue to inform our lives. David R. Contosta will discuss how and why these men led their revolts and the ways in which their revolts have come together to shape the modern world.
     Contosta is Professor of History at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and is the author of more than a dozen books. His most recent title is Rebel Giants: The Revolutionary Lives of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Contosta has spoken widely before both academic and popular audiences.

OC Skeptics Supper Club

Please join us at 4:30 p.m. on the third Sundays of every month for our FEED YOUR BRAIN programs.

These events feature fascinating authors, scholars, and luminaries from many fields that expand our knowledge and understanding of the world and the people who inhabit it. CFI's naturalistic approach to wisdom holds that there is no issue exempt from examination and discussion. Admission to these events is $6, or free for Friends of the Center, unless otherwise noted.

Held at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
1 block west of Newport and Harbor Blvd.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, January 18
Ron Lindsay
Secular Humanism and its Discontents

     What is secular humanism? What are its objectives? What is its importance? Why should one support it? Why are camparatively small numbers of the nonreligious actively involved in the secular humanist movement? These are some of the provocative and fundamental questions that will be addresed by Ronald A. Lindsay as he provides and unsparing review of the state of secular humanism today - and issues a rousing call to arms. Dr. Lindsay demonstrates the critical significance of the secular perspective, especially as it relates to public policy.
     A secular approach to public policy is cogently set forth in Dr. Lindsay's recently published book, Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the talk.
     Lindsay is the new chief executive office of the Center for Inquiry.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, February 15
In celebration of Darwin Day
David Contosta
Rebel Giants: Darwin and Lincoln's Revolutionary Lives

     In 2009, the world will celebrate the 200th anniversaries of two giants, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, who were both born on the same day in the same year - February 12, 1809. Both men escaped the intellectual straight jackets of their age to lead revolutions that continue to inform our lives. David R. Contosta will discuss how and why these men led their revolts and the ways in which their revolts have come together to shape the modern world.
     Contosta is Professor of History at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and is the author of more than a dozen books. His most recent title is Rebel Giants: The Revolutionary Lives of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Contosta has spoken widely before both academic and popular audiences.