What is the Center for Inquiry?

Did you know that there are at least a million skeptics, humanists, and other rationalists in the Greater Los Angeles area?  At least a million people who believe in using science, reason, and human understanding to make sense of the world?  At least a million people who do not accept paranormal claims or supernatural belief systems?  These million people have only one full-time community center specifically dedicated to their needs and interests.  They have only one professionally staffed center defending their rights and promoting their beliefs.  And that center is the Center for Inquiry-West.

The Center for Inquiry is dedicated to promoting critical inquiry and human enrichment. Located in Hollywood, California, the Center includes offices plus a meeting room that can seat over 120 people.  The Center runs a wide range of programs including conferences, social activities, lectures, publications, support groups, debates, and cultural events.

In addition to local activities, the Center for Inquiry also provides services at regional, national, and international levels.  To learn more, visit the Center for Inquiry-Transnational.

The Center for Inquiry-West is the West Coast headquarters of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP -- publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine) and the Council for Secular Humanism (publisher of Free Inquiry magazine).  These two not-for-profit educational organizations, founded by philosopher Paul Kurtz, serve nearly 100,000 subscribers and supporters across the United States.  The Center is also the international headquarters for Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), also known a Save Our Selves, a popular recovery program that provides a nonreligious alternative to twelve-step programs for alcoholics and others with substance dependencies.

The Center's location in the world's entertainment and media capital enables it to play a vital role in promoting reason and responsibility in news, entertainment, and documentary programming.  Journalists, producers, academics, and members of the public can turn to the Center for information and rational viewpoints on fringe science, moral issues, and paranormal and supernatural claims.

At the community level, the Center for Inquiry provides a forum for individuals interested in humanism and skepticism to learn more about these philosophies, and to apply their principles of critical inquiry to all areas of human experience, ranging from alternative medicine to moral education.

The Center for Inquiry-West's membership program is called the Friends of the Center.  Benefits include free entry into all CFI-West speaker meetings, 15% off Prometheus books purchased through the Center for Inquiry-West, and 10% off all CSH and CSICOP national events wherever in the country they are held. Click here for more about becoming a Friend of the Center.