Atheist movement

From Conservapedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Conservative (Talk | contribs) at 09:48, July 9, 2016. It may differ significantly from current revision.

Jump to: navigation, search
The atheist PZ Myers declared on September 27, 2014, "I will make a prediction, right here and now.... The number of people identifying as atheists will stagnate or even shrink..."[1] See: Desecularization and Decline of global atheism

Dr. J. Gordon Melton said about the atheist movement (organized atheism) that atheism is not a movement which tends to create community, but in the last few years there has been some growth of organized atheism.[2] See also: Atheist factions and Atheist organizations

Most atheists are apathetic when it comes to sharing atheism with others - especially when compared to evangelistic religions such as Christianity (see: Atheism and apathy).

According Pew Research:

“ In the 2014 Religious Landscape Study, self-identified atheists were asked how often they share their views on God and religion with religious people. Only about one-in-ten atheists (9%) say they do at least weekly, while roughly two-thirds (65%) say they seldom or never discuss their views on religion with religious people. By comparison, 26% of those who have a religious affiliation share their views at least once a week with those who have other beliefs; 43% say they seldom or never do.[3] ”

On July 24, 2013, CNS News reported about the global atheist movement:

“ Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass." [4] ”

See also: Global atheism and Desecularization

Professor Eric Kaufmann, who specializes in the study of irreligion/religion/demographics/politics, told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[5]

In 2010, Kaufmann wrote:

“ Worldwide, the march of religion can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, socialism and 1960s anarchist-liberalism. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm."[6] ”
In 2011, atheist Jacques Berlinerblau declared: "The Golden Age of Secularism has passed."[7]

In 2011, atheist Jacques Berlinerblau wrote: "The Golden Age of Secularism has passed."[8]

YouTube atheist Thunderfoot said about the atheist movement after Reason Rally 2016 had a very low turnout:

“ I'm not sure there is anything in this movement worth saving. Hitchens is dead. Dawkins simply doesn't have the energy for this sort of thing anymore. Harris went his own way. And Dennett just kind of blended into the background. So what do you think when the largest gathering of the nonreligious in history pulls in... I don't know. Maybe 2,000 people. Is there anything worth saving?[9] ”

In the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing into the 21st century, due to various historical events/trends, the atheist movement has had lower confidence/morale (see: Atheists and the endurance of religion and Atheist pessimism about the atheist movement).

Participation in the atheist community more difficult than in many communities

See also: Atheism and loneliness and Atheism and apathy and Internet atheism

In an essay entitled How the Atheist Movement Failed Me, an atheist woman noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending atheist conferences and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.[10] As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.[11] Often internet communication between atheists turns acrimonious and contentious (see: Atheist factions).

The atheist Jerry Coyne said about atheist meetings, "But to me the speakers and talks have often seemed repetitive: the same crew of jet-set skeptics giving the same talks." (see also: Atheism and inspiration).[12]

For more information, please see:

Atheist factions

See also: Atheist factions and Schools of atheist thought and Atheist cults

Jacques Rousseau wrote in the Daily Maverick: "Elevatorgate..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."[13] An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of Atheist positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain Atheist factions."[14] See also: Atheist cults

Journal of Contemporary Religion on schisms within U.S. atheism

See also: American atheism

The Journal of Contemporary Religion says about schisms within atheism:

“ The persistence of internal schisms and regular outbreaks of in-fighting within the atheist movement also ensure that much energy is effectively wasted on parochial concerns and further undermine attempts to establish a genuine sense of group cohesion.[15] ”

The Journal of Contemporary Religion say that internal divisions withing the American atheist movement have to do with:

“ internal divisions within the movement around issues relating to goals, strategies, and direction. These can be seen most notably in debates about the formation of a collective ‘atheist’ identity, in disputes about the effectiveness of confrontationalism and accommodationism, and in concerns about the movement’s ethnic, racial, and gender profile.[16] ”

See also: Atheism and women and Western atheism and race

Testimony of Blair Scott about atheist infighting

See also: Atheism and social intelligence and Atheism and emotional intelligence

Blair Scott served on the American Atheists board of directors.[17] Mr. Scott formerly served as a State Director for the American Atheists organization in the state of Alabama. On December 1, 2012 he quit his post as a director of outreach for the American Atheists due to infighting within the American atheist movement.[18]

Mr. Blair wrote:

“ I have spent the last week mulling over what I want to do at this point in the movement. I’m tired of the in-fighting: at every level. I am especially tired of allowing myself to get sucked into it and engaging in the very behavior that is irritating...me.[18] ”

Elevatorgate scandal caused deep divisions within in the atheist movement

See also: Atheism and public relations

Richard Dawkins
Although the New Atheist Richard Dawkins was always known for his abrasiveness and arrogance, post Elevatorgate and subsequent to his various embarrassing Twitter posts, many atheists are now asking if he is a liability to the atheist movement.[19] See: Atheism and public relations

Most atheists are politically on the left (see: Atheism and politics and Secular left). Part of leftist ideology is feminism. However, there is a significant amount of misogyny among atheists (see: Atheism and women).

For example, the new atheist Richard Dawkins is widely criticized for igniting deep fractures in the atheist movement through his Elevatorgate scandal. On November 26, 2013, the atheist activist and blogger Jen McCreight posted at Twitter the message: "Did anyone on Dawkins AMA ask how he feels about singlehandedly destroying the atheist movement with the Dear Muslima yet?"[20] In December of 2013, atheist Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution called July 2, 2011, which is the day that Elevatorgate occurred, "The day the atheist movement died."[21]

On March 6, 2015, it was reported that Google trends data for common terms associated with atheism/agnosticism have been in decline since about mid 2012.[22] In January of 2015, it was shown that Google trends data indicated a recent downward trend for various Google searches related to atheism such as the keywords atheist, atheism, Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers.[23]

See also: Atheism and the internet

Atheists declaring that Richard Dawkins is now a liability to the atheist movement

See also: Decline of militant atheism in the West and Atheism and public relations

New Atheism is a form of militant atheism as far as its rhetoric.

Although the new atheist Richard Dawkins was always known for his abrasiveness and arrogance, post Elevatorgate and subsequent to his various embarrassing Twitter posts, many atheists are now asking if he is a liability to the atheist movement.[24]

Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs and Rebecca Watson

In October of 2014, the popular YouTube atheist Thunderf00t indicated that the bloggers at Freethoughtblogs (Freethoughtbloggs is the most popular atheist blogging community) accidentally put him on their email list and that they spend a considerable amount of time emailing each other engaging in petty matters. In fact, he indicated that they spent more time emailing each other than engaged in actual blogging. He also questioned the impact of the bloggers of Freethoughtblogs on social justice.[25] Furthermore, he indicated that their attempt to make him a pariah within the atheist community had virtually no impact.[26]

He also indicated that the accomplishments of Rebecca Watson are very thin and that she promotes feminism in an offensive manner.[27]

In addition, Thunderf00t commented on how Jen McCreight, the founder of the atheist feminist movement Atheism plus abandoned her movement within two weeks. And how Richard Carrier "the intellectual artillery" of the movement, quit promoting the movement within a month.[28]

Atheist Michael Nugent on the atheist movement

According to the Irish atheist Michael Nugent: "The atheist movement is global. It is not defined by the mostly American ‘deep rifts’ disagreements."{{Cquote|‘Some of these more mainstream media analyses imply that there is a single ‘atheist movement’, and that it is best analysed through some opinions of some mostly American bloggers and activists who, while committed and sincere and doing good work, are not representative of atheist activism worldwide.’[29]

Nugent further indicates:

“ ‘Some of these more mainstream media analyses imply that there is a single ‘atheist movement’, and that it is best analysed through some opinions of some mostly American bloggers and activists who, while committed and sincere and doing good work, are not representative of atheist activism worldwide.’[30] ”

At the present time Global atheism is:

1. Declining as a percentage of the world's population and this trend is expected to continue according to religious demographic scholars (see: Desecularization).

2. Most atheists are East Asians (See: Asian atheism). And East Asian atheism is significantly influenced by Communist China which practices an authoritarian militant atheism which engages in human rights violations (see: Communism and religious persecution and Atheism and communism).

3. Nugent has spent a great deal of time publicly battling PZ Myers online, while at the same time critizing Myers for publicly criticizing other atheists.[31]

4. Although PZ Myers' Freethoughtblogs is facing a significant loss of web traffic, according to Alexa, it still has more global influence than the Atheist Ireland website and Michael Nugent's website.

According to Alexa, as of June 9, 2016, Atheist Ireland is the 3,353,639th most popular website in the world and declining in its ranking,[32] In addition, as of June 9, 2016, Michael Nugent's website is the 1,629,226th most popular website in the world according to Alexa and is declining in its global ranking.[33]

According to Alexa, as of June 9, Freethoughblogs is the 51,919th most popular website in the world is currently declining in its ranking.[34]

Prominent atheists admitting that fellow prominent atheists are arrogant

See also: Atheism and arrogance and Atheism and leadership

John W. Loftus, one of the more prominent atheists in the atheist community, cites John Draper (a Canadian atheist blogger), saying about prominent atheist PZ Myers: "According to PZ you either agree with him or you are the scum of the earth. If anyone is giving atheists a bad reputation it's PZ - he shows no tolerance or respect for anyone other than himself."[35]

PZ Myers wrote: "But see, this is why the atheist movement can’t have leaders. The ones we’ve got, informally, all seem to think they’re like gods and popes, infallible and unquestionable, and that normal, healthy, productive criticism within the movement is all a conspiracy to dethrone them."[36]

PZ Myers' prediction that the atheism movement will stagnate or shrink unless atheists change

See also: Atheism, social justice and hypocrisy and PZ Myers and social justice

On September 27, 2014 in a blog post entitled The Atheist Disillusionment, the prominent atheist PZ Myers declared:

“ I will make a prediction, right here and now.... The number of people identifying as atheists will stagnate or even shrink, because organized atheism is happily in the process of destroying itself with regressive social attitudes, scandals, and their bizarre focus on irrelevant metaphysical differences that don’t help people...

Unless we change.

I don’t know that we can.[37]

”

Please also see: Atheism and women and Atheism and morality and Atheism and uncharitableness

Decline of the New Atheism movement

See also: Decline of militant atheism in the West

In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote about the decline of the New Atheism movement:

“ ...since the death of Hitchens: angry atheism lost its most charismatic champion. Call it what you like: New Atheism, fire-brand atheism, etc., had a surge with the Four Horsemen in the middle of the last decade and in the last four years has generally peetered out to a kind that is more docile, politically correct, and even apologetic.[38] ”

On November 6, 2015, the New Republic published an article entitled, Is the New Atheism dead?[39]

For more information, please see: Decline of New Atheism

Atheist movement and nerds

PZ Myers,

(photo obtained from Flickr, see license agreement)

See also: Atheist nerds and Atheism and social intelligence and Atheism and emotional intelligence

In 2013, the atheist PZ Myers declared:

“ If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base. ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.[40] ”

In response, David Klinghoffer at Evolution News and Views wrote:

“ A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.[41] ”

Women and the atheist movement

See also: Atheism and women

Historically, women have not been attracted to atheism.[42] Today, the atheist community has still found it difficult to attract women to be a part of the atheist community and the majority of atheists are men (see: Atheism and women). In addition, a significant portion of the atheist community has misogynist beliefs and attitudes (see: Elevatorgate and Atheism and women and Atheism and rape).

Western World, racial minorities and the atheist movement

See also: Western atheism and race

Historically, in the Western World, the atheist community has been made up of predominantly white individuals who have had a reluctance and/or inability to attract racial minorities into their community (see: Western atheism and race and Evolutionary racism).

Composition and structure of the American atheist movement

See also: Atheist organizations

David Silverman is president of the American Atheists organization.

The Journal of Contemporary Religion says about the composition and structure of the American atheist movement:

“ The organisational structure of the atheist movement is characterised by plurality and eclecticism. Based around no predominant group and possessing no formal leadership or tangible set of governing arrangements, this movement assumes a non-hierarchical and decentralised form that operates within a number of organisations set up to promote a range of atheist, secularist, and humanist (collectively referred to here as ‘ASH’) ideas and causes. Notable organisations include: the American Humanist Association (established in 1941), American Atheists (formed in 1963), the Freedom From Religion Foundation (1978), the Council for Secular Humanism (1980), the Atheist Alliance of America (1991), the Center for Inquiry (1991), the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (1998), the Secular Student Alliance (2000), the Secular Coalition for America (2002), and the United Coalition of Reason (2009).

At the present time, little is known about the specific composition of such groups and the reasons why individuals become actively involved in the atheism movement are still being debated (e.g. LeDrew). Research suggests that a majority of atheists positively engage in efforts to promote atheism in some form (Silver), but it appears that only a small percentage become involved in formal organisations of this kind. Research also indicates that atheists who are actively participating in formal non-religious organisations tend to belong to a number of different groups at any one time (Hunsberger and Altemeyer).[43]

”

Atheist Jacques Berlinerblau on American atheist movements

See also: American atheism

The atheist Georgetown professor Jacques Berlinerblau declared:

“ American atheist movements, though fancying themselves a lion, are more like the gimpy little zebra crossing the river full of crocs. In terms of both political gains and popular appeal, nonbelievers in the United States have little to show. They are encircled by cunning, swarming [religious] Revivalist adversaries who know how to play the atheist card. The gimpy zebra remark was a little goofing on this over-the-top chest-thumping that emerges from Movement Atheists. They wildly overestimate their numbers. They tend to overestimate the efficacy of their activism. They underestimate how disciplined and organized their adversaries in the religious right are, too. They fail to recognize that mocking religious people in public is entirely inimical to the goals they wish to achieve."[44] ”

Atheist movement and its public speakers

See also: Atheism and public speaking

James Randi

The news website Vox reported about Reason Rally 2016:

“ It is clear, too, that almost nobody who takes the stage at Reason Rally was ever trained as a preacher. The whole thing is languid, urgent words in measured tones. The goal is an "end to bigotry," in the pitch of a polite request, to "reject" a supernatural worldview with all the force of tepid applause. Jamie Raskin says the job of politicians is to "listen to scientists" and closes with "Put your thinking caps on America!" Penn Jillette struggles to get a video playing, chokes up over Hitchens, then plays a Bob Dylan knockoff about his love for all people. The Amazing Randi devotes half an hour to a muted jeremiad against the obscure "facilitated communication" hoax. Peter says he does not know what "FC" is, but he'll look into it.[45] ”

The atheist Jerry Coyne said about atheist conferences which he attended:

“ But to me the speakers and talks have often seemed repetitive: the same crew of jet-set skeptics giving the same talks.

...a few things bothered me, most notably the air of self-congratulation (which I excused on the grounds of enthusiastic people finding like-minded folks for the first time), the “fanboyness” directed at some of the famous atheists (they hardly let poor Richard alone, and I’m not sure he liked that!), and the lameness of quite a few of the talks. Again, how much new can you say about atheism?[46]

”

Reason Rally

The Reason Rally was billed as the largest secular event in history.[47] It was held in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2012.

According to the Religion News Service 8,000-10,000 people showed up for the rally. [48] The Atlantic reported 20,000 individuals were in attendance.[49]

Reason Rally 2016 was sparsely attended.

Growth of evangelical Christianity in secular geographic regions

Atheist movement apathetic about atheist art

See also: Atheist art and Atheism and culture

The atheist and feminist writer Any Roth wrote about the atheist population having apathy about atheist art: "Does art matter to atheism? This is actually an interesting question that I don’t think movement atheist thinks much about."[50]

Historically, religious institutions sponsored great works of art and architecture. Atheist groups do not have a tradition of sponsoring great works of art and architecture.

In contrast to the atheist movement, Christians and other religious faiths historically are prolific in terms of producing musical/art works related to their faith/worldview and many great works have been produced over the centuries (See also: Atheist art and Argument from beauty).

See also

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ The Atheist Disillusionment by PZ Myers, September 27, 2014
  2. ↑ Baylor ISR- J. Gordon Melton - End of Religion? (May 5, 2015)
  3. ↑ 7 facts about atheists, Pew Forum
  4. ↑ http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]
  5. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth
  6. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann
  7. ↑ Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011). "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast". The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog. Retrieved on May 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011). "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast". The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog. Retrieved on May 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally'
  10. ↑ Amanda (August 10, 2012). "How the atheist movement failed me–part 1: cost". Friendly Atheist blog. Retrieved on September 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ Norris, Chuck (May 21, 2007). "How to outlaw Christianity (steps 2 & 3)". WorldNetDaily. Retrieved on September 9, 2014. See Chuck Norris.
  12. ↑ Are there too many atheist meetings? by Jerry Coyne]
  13. ↑ Rousseau, Jacques (July 13, 2011). "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul". Daily Maverick [South Africa]. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  14. ↑ The atheist community and internet atheism is still a hostile wasteland
  15. ↑ Divided We Stand: The Politics of the Atheist Movement in the United States by Steven Kettell]Journal of Contemporary Religion, Volume 29, Issue 3, 2014
  16. ↑ Divided We Stand: The Politics of the Atheist Movement in the United States by Steven Kettell]Journal of Contemporary Religion, Volume 29, Issue 3, 2014
  17. ↑ "Board of directors" (July 1, 2014). American Atheists. Retrieved from Internet Archive, July 16, 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Scott, Blair (December 1, 2012). "An open letter from Blair Scott". American Atheists. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  19. ↑
  20. ↑ Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal
  21. ↑ The Day the Atheist Movement Died by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
  22. ↑ Attention Atheists: Google trends indicates: You are in a slump!
  23. ↑ The numbers are in: 2014 was the WORST year in the history of Darwinism/atheism In addition, Creation.com breaks the Alexa 50,000 barrier
  24. ↑
  25. ↑ Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism
  26. ↑ Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism
  27. ↑ Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism
  28. ↑ Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism
  29. ↑ "The atheist movement is global. It is not defined by the mostly American ‘deep rifts’ disagreements." by Michael Nugent
  30. ↑ "The atheist movement is global. It is not defined by the mostly American ‘deep rifts’ disagreements." by Michael Nugent
  31. ↑ Michael Nugent website - Search "PZ Myers"
  32. ↑ Atheist Ireland - Alexa
  33. ↑ Michael Nugent website - Alexa
  34. ↑ Freethoughtblogs - Alexa
  35. ↑ Can PZ Myers Change His Ways? Should He? By John W. Loftus at 7/30/2012
  36. ↑ The delicate ego of Mr Michael Shermer by PZ Myers, 16 January 2013
  37. ↑ The Atheist Disillusionment - PZ Myers]], September 27, 2014
  38. ↑ Uproar Against Dawkins Is Sign of New Atheism Retrogression by Joshua Kelly
  39. ↑ Is the New Atheism dead? by Elizabeth Bruenig, New Republic, November 6, 2015
  40. ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
  41. ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
  42. ↑ From Hitchens to Dawkins: Where are the women of New Atheism? by Katie Engelhart, Salon, July 21, 2013
  43. ↑ Divided We Stand: The Politics of the Atheist Movement in the United States by Steven Kettell]Journal of Contemporary Religion, Volume 29, Issue 3, 2014
  44. ↑ Professor Jacques Berlinerblau tells atheists: Stop whining!, Christian Century, Sep 14, 2012 by Kimberly Winston
  45. ↑ American atheists are on the rise. They have radically different visions of the future, Vox
  46. ↑ Are there too many atheist meetings? by Jerry Coyne
  47. ↑ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine
  48. ↑ Winston, Kimberly (March 24, 2012). "Atheists Rally On National Mall; The 'Reason Rally' Largest Gathering Of Nonbelievers (PHOTOS)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
  49. ↑ Benjamin Fearnow & Mickey Woods, "Richard Dawkins Preaches to Nonbelievers at Reason Rally", The Atlantic, March 24, 2012.
  50. ↑ [1]
Retrieved from "https://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Atheist_movement&oldid=1245724"