Difference between revisions of "Internet atheism"
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− | [[File:Losing.jpeg|thumbnail| | + | [[File:Losing.jpeg|thumbnail|201px|right|The article ''[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]'' points out that internet atheism has been in a significant slump since 2008. ]] |
The atheist community is very active on the internet relative to many other populations who adhere to other worldviews.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref> | The atheist community is very active on the internet relative to many other populations who adhere to other worldviews.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref> | ||
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During the period of 2008 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during this same period and during the first half of 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref> | During the period of 2008 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during this same period and during the first half of 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref> | ||
− | [[File:PZ Myers.jpg|thumbnail| | + | [[File:PZ Myers.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]] is one of the more active bloggers at [[Freethoughtblogs]]. ]] |
In 2016, an article entitled ''2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism'' featured [[Alexa]] web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/02/2015-was-terrible-year-for-internet.html 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism]</ref> Since 2012, [[Freethoughtblogs]] (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com#/trafficCard Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report]</ref> | In 2016, an article entitled ''2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism'' featured [[Alexa]] web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/02/2015-was-terrible-year-for-internet.html 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism]</ref> Since 2012, [[Freethoughtblogs]] (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com#/trafficCard Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report]</ref> | ||
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== Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms == | == Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms == | ||
− | [[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail| | + | [[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref> |
*[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London] | *[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London] | ||
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?] | *[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?] | ||
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== Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism == | == Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism == | ||
− | [[File:TFT.JPG|right| | + | [[File:TFT.JPG|right|200px]] |
Four of the more notable [[Christian apologetics|defense of Christianity websites]] which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: [[True Freethinker]], the [[Creation Ministries International and atheism|Creation Ministries International resources on atheism]], the [[Fixed Point Foundation]] website, and [[Atheism Analyzed]]. | Four of the more notable [[Christian apologetics|defense of Christianity websites]] which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: [[True Freethinker]], the [[Creation Ministries International and atheism|Creation Ministries International resources on atheism]], the [[Fixed Point Foundation]] website, and [[Atheism Analyzed]]. | ||
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== Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists == | == Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists == | ||
− | [[File:American Atheists.jpg|alt=American Atheists|thumbnail| | + | [[File:American Atheists.jpg|alt=American Atheists|thumbnail|205px|right|[[Nate Phelps]] spoke at the 2009 [[American Atheists]] convention.<ref>http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183</ref> See also: [[American Atheists and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]] |
<br /> | <br /> | ||
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Revision as of 15:54, April 14, 2016
The atheist community is very active on the internet relative to many other populations who adhere to other worldviews.[1]
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.[2] 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.
As far as atheists engaging in non-internet related activities, 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.[3] See also: Atheist factions
Internet atheism web traffic levels
During the period of 2008 to 2012, the atheist community made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during this same period and during the first half of 2012.[4]
In 2016, an article entitled 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism featured Alexa web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.[5] Since 2012, Freethoughtblogs (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.[6]
An article entitled Internet atheism: The thrill is gone! declares:
“ | In 2007, the Bible believer Chuck Norris noted that atheists were making a concerted effort to spread atheism via the internet. As you you will soon see via the graphs below, it has been an abysmal failure! The atheist community flooded the internet with a lot of shallow, ill-reasoned fluff that many in the public quickly dismissed.[7] | ” |
For more information see: Internet atheism - post 2007 market share loss
In 2007, WorldNetDaily featured a column by Chuck Norris concerning atheism and the internet which declared:
“ | Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of theism from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naïveté.
What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens... YouTube, the most popular video site on the Net for young people, is one of their primary avenues for passing off their secularist propaganda.[8] |
” |
Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, have been very ineffective.
Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms
See also: Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms
What occurs in the offline world affects the online realm. In terms of global market share, atheism is experiencing a global decline. In addition, many developed countries are receiving a large influx of religious conservatives who have higher fertility rates than their secular counterparts.[10] In the 21st century, the process of desecularization is expected to accelerate in the world.[11] Professor Eric Kaufmann, told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[12]
Google trends measures the interest in various words/phrases as far as Google searches over time. Below is Google trends data for various terms relating to atheism/agnosticism for various countries and the the world as a whole and in general their is a recent downward trends as far as atheism related searches:
On February 24, 2015, the Science Nordic website declared: "Creationism has particularly been on the rise in step with the internet, which according to Peter Kjærgaard has made it much easier for people to become activists...[13]
Specific atheism terms
Worldwide interest in evolutionary ideas
- Worldwide interest in evolutionary ideas
- Worldwide online interest in Jesus vs. worldwide online interest in Charles Darwin
Creationism evangelism in the countries cited above in terms of Google trend data
Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists and agnostics (see also: Causes of evolutionary belief).[14] In 2007, "Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture...announced that over 700 scientists from around the world have now signed a statement expressing their skepticism about the contemporary theory of Darwinian evolution."[15]
On February 24, 2015, the Science Nordic website declared: "Creationism has particularly been on the rise in step with the internet, which according to Peter Kjærgaard has made it much easier for people to become activists..."[16]
Creation Ministries International, a ministry which has an extensive online collection of articles rebutting atheism/evolutionism, has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore and their online presence is growing according to the web traffic tracking company Quantcast which directly measures their web traffic.[17]
In May of 2012, it was pointed out by supporters of Creation Ministries International's Question evolution! campaign that from a global internet perspective the public's interest in the views of the agnostic/weak atheist Richard Dawkins and the atheist PZ Myers and in atheism are on the decline while interest in Jesus and Christianity are on the upswing.[18]
The online presence of Creation Ministries has a long term positive trend according to the web traffic tracking company Quantcast which directly measures their web traffic.[19] According to Quantcast, as of June 22, 2015, their website reaches over 174,000 monthly people, of which 85,387 (49%) are in the United States.[20] According to the web traffic tracking Alexa, as of June 22, 2015, their website is among the top 54,000 websites in the world as far as web traffic.[21]
Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins' loss of online influence
See also: Atheist movement and Elevatorgate
Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for causing embarrassment to his fellow atheists via his Elevatorgate scandal and for igniting deep fractures in the atheist movement.[22]
For example, 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?"[23] 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."[24]
Graph showing Richard Dawkins' loss of influence post Elevatatorgate
See also: Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science website
As can be seen by the graph below, by means of embedded code on his website from Quantcast, Quantcast directly measured the web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website. Traffic to Dawkins website is significantly down post-Elevatorgate scandal.
Although his following of Dawkian atheist has significantly waned post-Elevatorgate and due to his generally abrasive manner, he does retain a small cult following (See: Richard Dawkins' loss of influence and Richard Dawkins' cult of personality and Atheist cults).
Recent web traffic according to Quantcast which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic
Reddit atheism
See also: Reddit atheism
Reddit atheism, also known as r/atheism, is one of the largest internet groups of atheists. Mashable reported that Reddit atheism recently grew to 2 million members so it may very well be the largest online community of atheists.[30]
A June 14, 2013 Mashable article declared:
“ | In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."[31] | ” |
In response, a supporter of the Question evolution! campaign wrote:
“ | Question: Is the low quality, evolution loving public school system pumping out an inordinate amount of low skill, rebellious, spoiled atheist brats? Is Reddit atheism made up of a lot of low skill, atheist brats? Yes, it is. Reddit atheism is filled with a lot of mind numbing foolishness. It is an intellectual wasteland. Furthermore, we know that once you establish a reputation for something it is very hard to re-position yourself. See: Re-positioning the decades long "atheist nerd brand" is going to be close to impossible
Of course, the whole atheist "movement" (which is in global decline in terms of its adherents) is low brow and that is why so many of them are afraid to debate the creation vs. evolution issue. See: 21st century atheism is well-known for its cowardice and Global decline of atheism/agnosticis See also: 7 reasons why atheism has developed a reputation of being low-class and "low brow" [32] |
” |
Reddit atheism and cowardice
See also: Atheism and cowardice and Evidence for Christianity
In May of 2013, Policymic published an article on Reddit atheism entitled Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet which declared that Reddit atheists are reluctant to proclaim their atheism offline.[33]
The Policymic article declared:
“ | Are we to make cowards out of Reddit’s atheists for the discrepancy between the prevalence of real life and internet proclamations of godlessness? Maybe, as the world’s loudest atheist, Richard Dawkins, first bemoaned in his TED talk, “Atheists do not want to be impolite … Can we stop being so damned polite?” Or, as R/atheist stalwart with the username “blackstar9000” explained in a very thoughtful post on the state of the atheist subreddit, “Many of the users are just recently converted, who fear being ostracized by people the religious people who make up their support system.”[34] | ” |
Beginning in the 1980s and accelerating in 2011 and beyond, atheism, agnosticism and Darwinism have developed a reputation of cowardice. See: Atheism and cowardice and Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates and Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates
Contents
- 1 Internet atheism web traffic levels
- 2 Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms
- 3 Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins' loss of online influence
- 4 Reddit atheism
- 5 Internet atheism evangelism contrasted with Christian internet evangelism
- 6 Ineffectiveness of global internet atheism outreach
- 7 Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks
- 8 Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism
- 9 YouTube atheist TheAmazingAtheist on rape
- 10 Atheism websites and polyamory
- 11 Internet atheism and profanity
- 12 Demographic data of atheism websites
- 13 Internet atheism and quarrelsome atheists
- 14 Christian thwarting of atheist cyberbullying
- 15 Internet atheism and obesity
- 16 Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists
- 17 Christian YouTube channel Shockofgod and atheism
- 18 Videos on atheism
- 19 Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution
- 20 See also
- 21 External links
- 22 References
Internet atheism evangelism contrasted with Christian internet evangelism
See also: Christian internet evangelism and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian and Evidence for Christianity
Global Media Outreach
Global Media Outreach (GMO) is the internet evangelism arm of Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI). Recently, Global Media Outreach has seen a dramatic increase in the results of their internet evangelism efforts.[35] In 2011, they reported reaching more than 150 million people with a Christian online message.[36] For the year 2013 alone, GMO presented a Christian message to over 326 million people through their more than 200 different websites globally.[37]
In addition, in August of 2010, Global Media Outreach announced it is combining forces with Joni and Friends International Disability Center to recruit Christians with disabilities who would like to spread the gospel and minister to others via the internet. By combining forces with Joni and Friends, Global Media Outreach benefits by having access to some 650 million people with disabilities worldwide.[38]
In 2006, Alan Beeber of CCCI predicted that internet evangelism will result in more conversion that all other forms of evangelism for CCCI combined.[39]
Network211
Network211 is a world missionary outreach focused on global evangelism and discipleship via the Internet.[41]
Network211 currently has a project called Project 100Million.
Project 100Million is an evangelism and discipleship ministry of Network211. Their goal is to reach 100,000,000 people worldwide with the Gospel online.
Project 100Million is multilingual, ministering in English, Farsi, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Mandarin, Spanish, Filipino, American Sign Language and Easy English. Other languages are under development. Network211 has reached people in over 200 countries and territories.
As of June 22, 2015, their online ministry has reached over 16,727,000 people.[42]
The online message of Christianity vs. the online messaging of internet atheism
Unlike Christianity, which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: Christian apologetics), atheism has no proof and evidence supporting its ideology. Also, there have been notable atheists conceding there is compelling evidence for the existence of God and becoming ex-atheist. As a result, atheism often relies on asserting fragile assumptions that are contrary to the existing evidence.[43] In addition, atheists/skeptics do have a tradition of making assumptions that later have proved errant.[44]
Please also see: Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
Ineffectiveness of global internet atheism outreach
See also: Global atheism and Decline of atheism and Atheist Population and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian
The internet is a global medium which growing rapidly in usage throughout the world.[45] In 2011, the American Spectator citing research published in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents.[46]
The American Spectator declared:
“ | The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new Muslims every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the West, while religion is thriving in the Global South, where charismatic Christianity is exploding."[47] | ” |
Ineffectiveness of New Atheism internet outreach
See also: Ineffectiveness and weakness of atheist internet outreach and Christian internet evangelism and Evidence for Christianity
Richard Dawkins was a founder of the New Atheism movement which is a type of militant atheism]. Post Dawkins' Elevatorgate scandal, the web traffic to Richard Dawkins' website has fallen (see: Richard Dawkins' loss of influence).
Furthermore, Stephen Prothero wrote an article in 2008 concerning the ineffectiveness of the New Atheism movement which also applies to atheism internet evangelism.
In a March 10, 2008 USA Today article Stephen Prothero stated the following regarding the impact of the "New Atheism":
“ | Numbers lie, but they also tell tales untrustworthy and otherwise. So the key question stirring around the much discussed U.S Religious Landscape Survey released in late February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is what tale does it state about the state of the union.
For some, the story of this survey, based on interviews in multiple languages with more than 35,000 adults, is the strength of American Religion. Not too long ago, I wrote that American atheism was going the way of the freak show. As books by Christopher Hitchens and other "new atheists" climbed the best seller lists, I caught a lot of flak for that prophecy. But atheist make up only 1.6% of respondents to this survey....[48] |
” |
A prime reason for the ineffectiveness of the New Atheism and internet atheism is the shallowness of its material. For example, even atheist philosopher Michael Ruse stated that Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion made him "embarrassed to be an atheist".[49]
Sam Harris and Project Reason
See also: Project Reason
The atheist Sam Harris launched the website Project Reason and the project and one of the aims of the project was to archive the "best" secular material on the internet.
A June 26, article entitled Sam Harris, Project Reason failed discusses the lack of success of the website. See: Harris, Project Reason failed
Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks
See also: Atheism and marriage and Atheism and women
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.[50] | ” |
In response, 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.[51] | ” |
Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism
Four of the more notable defense of Christianity websites which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: True Freethinker, the Creation Ministries International resources on atheism, the Fixed Point Foundation website, and Atheism Analyzed.
YouTube atheist TheAmazingAtheist on rape
See also: Atheism and rape and Atheism and women and Elevatorgate
TheAmazingAtheist is YouTube's most subscribed to YouTube channel produced by an atheist and as of February of 2012 it had over 280,000 subscribers. In 2012, he viciously told a rape victim "you deserved it" and told her that her rapist "deserved a medal". He also told her that she should try to relive the rape in her mind.
Christian apologist Marian Grinbank wrote concerning TheAmazingAtheist's comments directed towards a rape victim:
“ | A frightening consideration is that it may very well be this personage’s worldview which leads him to such depths of malice...
He also told another woman: "You’re lucky it wasn’t me. I’d have busted your ******* nose and raped you." And has also offered a graphic descriptions of how he would rape a rape victim again. This is in keeping with his modis operandi which, sadly, is a manner whereby some people get and keep a lot of attention. Of course, it is pathetic that some people are so very desperate for attention that they seek it regardless of whether it is good, bad or ugly. This particular Atheist is the organizer of a group, aptly, called The Atheist Scum United and refers to himself as “God of the Godless,” “subhuman,” and “scumbag.” Could not have said it better ourselves. But the belligerence does not stop at his victimization of rape victims but he also takes aim at the dead. He has referred to people who committed suicide due to bullying as having been "weak." What such a person needs, truly needs, is love and prayer because they are obviously hurting very, very badly.[53] |
” |
Atheism websites and polyamory
See also: Internet atheism and polyamory
Polyamory is a general term to denote relationships involving a group of men and women. In polyamorous relationships, often one man is “dating” several women and each of the women is in turn dating several men.[56]
Polyskeptic.com and polyamory
The website Polyskeptic.com has an Alexa traffic rank of 2,276,133 as of June 14, 2012.[57]
Atheist Nexus and polyamory
The website Atheist Nexus bills itself as "The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities."[58] As of June 14, 2012, the website Atheist Nexus had an entire group devoted to polyamory.[59]
Wikipedia on polyamory
The website Wikipedia was co-founded by the atheist Jimmy Wales and the agnostic Larry Sanger. Wikipedia has a pro-atheism/evolution slant.
For example, the current Wikipedia article on atheism is very flattering to atheism. As of June 14, 2012 the Wikipedia atheism article does not explicitly mention the tens of millions who died under atheist communist regimes although it does allude to it. Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term "democide" (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.[60] Starting on February 20, 2007, Wikipedia had a hotly-debated article on militant atheism that was deleted on February 18, 2012.[61][62]
As of June 14, 2012 Wikipedia had this flattering description of polyamory:
“ | Polyamory, often abbreviated as poly, is often described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy. The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to sexual or romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive, though there is disagreement on how broadly it applies; an emphasis on ethics, honesty, and transparency all around is widely regarded as the crucial defining characteristic.[63] | ” |
See also: Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships
Internet atheism and profanity
Demographic data of atheism websites
Prominent general atheist websites appear to receive significantly less traffic from women
The website Freethoughtblogs has significantly less women visiting their website than men according to the web traffic tracking company Quantcast.[64] According to the website tracking firm Quantcast, women frequent Richard Dawkins' website significantly less than men.[65]
Survey data, website tracking data of prominent atheists' websites and other data indicate that in the Western World, atheism is significantly less appealing to women (See also: Gender and racial demographics of Sam Harris' audience).[66]
Internet atheism and quarrelsome atheists
See also: Atheist factions
In 2010, the Christian apologetics website True Free Thinker wrote:
“ | Scienceblogger Chad Orzel described the commentators on PZ Myers ' Scienceblogs.com site Pharyngula, and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."[67] | ” |
Richard Dawkins' battle with online fans
See also: Atheism and profanity
In February of 2010, the news organization The Telegraph reported Richard Dawkins was "embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and 'frivolous gossip'."[68] Given that Wired Magazine and Vox Day declared for various reasons that atheists tend to be quarrelsome, socially challenged men, it is not surprising the online dispute was bitter. In addition, Richard Dawkins has a reputation for being abrasive.
Christian thwarting of atheist cyberbullying
see also: Atheistic bullying
There is a widespread problem with atheist cyberbullying on YouTube toward Christian and creationist YouTube channels. CreationWiki has developed a web page entitled Creationist YouTube video designed to show creationists how to thwart atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies. Also, one popular Christian YouTube channel, shockofgod, was shut down several times by atheist cyberbullying through false reports but he was able to thwart their cyberbullying using some effective tactics.[69]
Internet atheism and obesity
See also: Atheism and obesity and Bariatric science
A significant portion of the world's atheists are overweight (see: Atheism and obesity).
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.[72] 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.[73]
In 2009, an Australian university study was done concerning the association between leisure time internet and computer use with being overweight and/or obese and also sedentary.[74] The study concluded: "These findings suggest that, apart from nutritional and physical activity interventions, it may also be necessary to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as leisure-time Internet and computer use, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity."[75] See also: Bariatric science
As noted above, in 2013, the prominent 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.[76] | ” |
Internet nerds are typically less active in sports. Also, atheists are not as active in sports as theists (See: Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism ). And inactivity is a major risk factor for obesity.[77] See also: Atheist nerds
Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists
See also: Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists
A Question evolution! campaign blog declares:
“ | The popular Christian YouTube video creator Shockofgod just released a hilarious video entitled Proof atheism & evolution are stupid.
On the video, he first did a Google search at Google USA for the word "atheism". The #1 search result for atheism was for the website of the American Atheists organization and they misspelled the words "separation" and "church" on the main page title tag for their website. The title of their website reads: "Supporting Civil Rights for Atheists and the Seperation of Curch and ...". Did the American Atheist organization's webmaster go to one of the many evolution indoctrinating public schools with a high drop out rate? It appears so! Is it any wonder that the American Atheists organization has been silent concerning the 15 questions for evolutionists of the Question Evolution! Campaign? Besides being poor spellers the American Atheists organization's staff is probably poor when it comes to science as well![79] |
” |
On October 17, 2014, Shockofgod's blog declared:
“ | In the United States, due to more women and southerners attending college/universities, atheism is now negatively correlated with education.
As a result, American atheists contribute some of the most ill-informed/uneducated commentary on the internet. Alexa is a popular web traffic tracking company. Below is a portion of Alexa's site overview for the website of the American Atheists organization and notice that 5.01% of their search engine traffic comes from the keyword "athiest" which is a misspelling of the world atheist. From the Alexa website on October 17, 2014: Site Overview atheists.org Top Keywords from Search Engines Which search keywords send traffic to this site? Keyword Percent of Search Traffic
|
” |
Christian YouTube channel Shockofgod and atheism
See also: Shockofgod
The YouTube channel shockofgod is a popular Christian YouTube channel which offers various critiques of atheism plus offers various satires of atheism and humorous quips about atheism. Shockofgod caused a great deal of consternation among YouTube atheists by asking them the question "What proof and evidence do you have that atheism is accurate and correct". There have been atheists who have left atheism and mentioned that shockofgod's YouTube channel was helpful.
Classic quotes from the Christian YouTube channel shockofgod
See also: Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism and Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution
- I received another email about someone becoming a Christian and leaving atheism... Now as you guys know, the atheist community on YouTube and also on radio and TV...They are in panic mode. It is obvious. Everyone on YouTube can see that this question that we are asking atheists that they cannot answer is really panicking the atheist community....Here is the question and then we will get to these awesome emails of atheists leaving atheism because the atheists cannot provide proof and evidence that atheism is accurate and correct...The question is: What proof and evidence can you provide that PROVES that atheism is accurate and correct?...You see I left atheism because the lack of proof and evidence that it is accurate and correct. The proof and evidence is for Jesus Christ.[81]
- "We are getting atheists leaving atheism. They are like dropping like flies. They are realizing...You know what? Atheism is madness. There is no proof and evidence that atheism is accurate and correct."[82]
- "An email from an atheist: 'There is no proof and evidence that atheism is accurate and correct. Happy now?' Ha! Ha! Ha! And he goes on and on about Santa Claus. Oh atheists, feel the sting."[83]
- "The hostility I am getting over this question is unbelievable...It's like..picture this...Atheism is a clown and it did not know it. And then I got the clown and I walked it over...I forced it to look itself in the mirror. And it sees itself in all its red hair, big nose, big shoes, polka dot glory."[84]
- "You atheists, I love you, but it must feel very embarrassing to be involved in something where there is no proof and evidence that it is accurate and correct."[85]
- "The Atheists Experience Show has failed. Dprjones has failed. Well, you know they're atheists. They're used to failure...Every atheists has failed."[86]
- "What proof and evidence can you provide as an atheist that atheism is accurate and correct. Game over atheists. You have nothing. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Game over."[87]
Videos on atheism
Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution
Conservapedia produced a number of satires and comedic material that focuses on the topics of atheism and evolution which have been cited by conservative websites:
See also
General articles and resources:
Specific topics:
- Atheism and leadership
- Atheism and deception
- Atheism and Mental and Physical Health
- Atheism and mass murder
- Atheism and uncharitableness
- Atheism and suicide
- Atheism and women
- Atheism and marriageability
- Western atheism and race
Satire and comedy:
- Atheists say the darnedest things! - satire
- Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution (large collection of comedy/satire concerning atheism and evolution)
External links
References
- ↑ http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789
- ↑ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost
- ↑ Baylor ISR- J. Gordon Melton - End of Religion? (May 5, 2015)
- ↑ Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!
- ↑ 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism
- ↑ Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report
- ↑ Internet atheism and skepticism: The thrill is gone!
- ↑ http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789
- ↑
- Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
- Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ↑
- Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
- Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ↑
- Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
- Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
- Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth
- ↑ Science Nordic: 5 year study shows: Creationism, the belief that God -- not evolution -- shaped life on Earth, is spreading in the very stronghold of evolution, Europe
- ↑
- Dr. Don Batten, A Who’s Who of evolutionists Creation 20(1):32, December 1997.
- Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.,F.M., Refuting Evolution, Chapter 1, Facts and Bias
- ↑ http://www.discovery.org/a/2732
- ↑ Science Nordic: 5 year study shows: Creationism, the belief that God -- not evolution -- shaped life on Earth, is spreading in the very stronghold of evolution, Europe
- ↑ Quantcast data for Creation.com
- ↑
- Jesus vs. Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers - Jesus wins!
- Round 2: Jesus vs. Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers - Jesus triumphs again! Onward Christian soldiers!
- Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents
- Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!
- 2012 is shaping up to be a BAD year for atheism and evolutionism! Great new charts and developments!
- ↑ Quantcast data for Creation.com
- ↑ Creation Ministries International's web traffic - Quantcast - June 22, 2015
- ↑ Creation Ministries International's web traffic - Alexa - June 22, 2015
- ↑
- Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011
- Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011
- Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker
- Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today
- Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women by Emily Band, The Guardian, July 24, 2011
- Richard Dawkins and male privilege By Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, July 5, 2011 10:30 am
- ↑ Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal
- ↑ The Day the Atheist Movement Died by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
- ↑ 2012 has been a very BAD year for Richard Dawkins's website according to Quantcast
- ↑ Richard Dawkins' loss of influence
- ↑ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure
- ↑ Web traffic of Richard Dawkins' main website
- ↑ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure
- ↑ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup
- ↑ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup
- ↑ Mashable admits one of the internet's largest atheist communities, reddit atheism, has developed a reputation of being "low brow" over the years by "some" (translation: by people who are not "low brow")
- ↑ Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet
- ↑ Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Internet evangelism is powerful especially when combined with creation evangelism
- ↑ GMO - About US
- ↑ Internet alliance provides mission opportunities for people with disabilities
- ↑ http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/pdf/issues/LWP0206.pdf
- ↑ Network211 - our results
- ↑ Network211 - About us
- ↑ Network211 - our results
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html
- ↑ http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
- ↑ http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity
- ↑ http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity
- ↑ American Faith: A Work In Progress by Stephen Prothero, USA Today, March 10, 2008, page 11A
- ↑ http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/47052/?page=3
- ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
- ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
- ↑ Roberts, Andrew. "Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore", Daily Mail, 24 October 2008.
- ↑ Atheist victimizes rape victim
- ↑ Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue
- ↑ Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Militant_atheism&action=history
- ↑ Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
- ↑ Multiple references:
- "Freethoughtblogs.com" [demographics] Quαntcast.
- ↑ Quantcast data - Richarddawkins.net - demographics
- ↑
- American Religion Survey
- Religion: Women and men - Livescience.com
- Khan, Razib (November 18, 2010). "Gene expression; Sex differences in global atheism, part N". Discover magazine website
- Richard Dawkins' website - Quantcast data - Demographics
- Freethoughtblogs.com: Quancast - Demographics
- Atheism and women
- ↑ http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U
- ↑ Long-term weight loss maintenance, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005 July; 82(1 Suppl):222S-225S.
- ↑ http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/
- ↑ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost
- ↑ How to outlaw Christianity by Chuck Norris
- ↑ http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/
- ↑ http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/
- ↑ in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
- ↑ Causes of obesity
- ↑ http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183
- ↑ Uneducated and illiterate American atheists
- ↑ Uneducated and illiterate American atheists
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkpKs4oSBf0