Difference between revisions of "PZ Myers"

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[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|PZ Myers
 
[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|PZ Myers
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<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small>  ]]
 
<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small>  ]]
'''Paul Zachary Myers''', better known as '''PZ Myers''', is a [[liberal]], [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution|evolutionist]] activist in the [[creation-evolution controversy]], contributing to [[The Panda's Thumb (blog)|The Panda's Thumb]] and [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]] blogs.  Myers is also an associate professor of [[biology]] at the [[University of Minnesota]] Morris (UMM)<ref name="citypages">[http://citypages.com/databank/26/1303/article13908.asp?page=1 ''The Mad Scientist''] City Pages, Volume 26 - Issue 1303, November 23, 2005 Cover story</ref>
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'''Paul Zachary Myers''', better known as '''PZ Myers''', is a [[liberal]], [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist activist in the [[creation-evolution controversy]], contributing to [[The Panda's Thumb (blog)|The Panda's Thumb]] and [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]] blogs.  Myers is also an associate professor of [[biology]] at the [[University of Minnesota]] Morris (UMM)<ref name="citypages">[http://citypages.com/databank/26/1303/article13908.asp?page=1 ''The Mad Scientist''] City Pages, Volume 26 - Issue 1303, November 23, 2005 Cover story</ref>
  
 
PZ Myers commented, while listening to [[Michael Behe]] lecture on [[Intelligent design]], that "In science, we scream a lot."<ref name="citypages"/>  Myers' emotionalism may have helped earn him the label of having an "[[eccentric]] voice" by the newspaper'' [[USA Today]]''.<ref>http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/06/atheist-national-geographic-pz-myers/1</ref> In a 2014 lecture, Myers said he is known for being a "weird," "loud," "radicalized" and "firebrand" type of "[[New Atheism|New Atheist]]."<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/06/which_is_the_re086531.html Which Is the Real PZ Myers?],'' Evolution News and Views'', Casey Luskin June 9, 2014 12:07 PM</ref>
 
PZ Myers commented, while listening to [[Michael Behe]] lecture on [[Intelligent design]], that "In science, we scream a lot."<ref name="citypages"/>  Myers' emotionalism may have helped earn him the label of having an "[[eccentric]] voice" by the newspaper'' [[USA Today]]''.<ref>http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/06/atheist-national-geographic-pz-myers/1</ref> In a 2014 lecture, Myers said he is known for being a "weird," "loud," "radicalized" and "firebrand" type of "[[New Atheism|New Atheist]]."<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/06/which_is_the_re086531.html Which Is the Real PZ Myers?],'' Evolution News and Views'', Casey Luskin June 9, 2014 12:07 PM</ref>
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Atheist [[Michael Nugent]] said of Myers:
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{{Cquote|PZ Myers says that “we (now) have an atheism where it is acceptable to rail against [[feminism]], because feminists should be raped and killed.”
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Even by PZ’s own standards, this is his most delusional smear yet...
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It is incredible to think that reasonable people once took him seriously.<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2016/01/24/delusional-smears-of-pz-myers/ The increasingly delusional smears of PZ Myers] by Michael Nugent</ref>}}
  
 
== Rebuke of PZ Myers by the atheist Michael Nugent relative to the area of social justice ==
 
== Rebuke of PZ Myers by the atheist Michael Nugent relative to the area of social justice ==
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''See also:'' [[PZ Myers and social justice]] and [[Atheism and social justice]]
 
''See also:'' [[PZ Myers and social justice]] and [[Atheism and social justice]]
  
The Irish atheist [[Michael Nugent]] wrote to PZ Myers in September of 2014:
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The Irish atheist [[Michael Nugent]] wrote to PZ Myers in September 2014:
 
{{cquote|Some of the content of your blog is hurtful and unjust in itself, it also undermines the effectiveness of attempts to promote compassion and empathy and social justice, and it is additionally harmful because of your prominence as a perceived spokesperson for organised atheism...
 
{{cquote|Some of the content of your blog is hurtful and unjust in itself, it also undermines the effectiveness of attempts to promote compassion and empathy and social justice, and it is additionally harmful because of your prominence as a perceived spokesperson for organised atheism...
  
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== Inappropriate commentary on the suicide of comedian Robin Williams ==
 
== Inappropriate commentary on the suicide of comedian Robin Williams ==
 
[[File:371px-Robin Williams 2011a.jpg|right|thumbnail|175px|[[Robin Williams]] ]]
 
[[File:371px-Robin Williams 2011a.jpg|right|thumbnail|175px|[[Robin Williams]] ]]
In August of 2014, very shortly after the [[suicide]] of the popular, American comedian/actor [[Robin Williams]], PZ Myers made a callous and socially/emotionally tone-deaf blog post on the matter compounded by him subsequently indicating in the blog post comment section that he should have been "more rude".<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/08/12/robin-williams-brings-joy-to-the-hearts-of-journalists-and-politicians-once-again/ Robin Williams brings joy to the hearts of journalists and politicians once again]</ref>
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In August 2014, very shortly after the [[suicide]] of the popular, American comedian/actor [[Robin Williams]], PZ Myers made a callous and socially/emotionally tone-deaf blog post on the matter compounded by him subsequently indicating in the blog post comment section that he should have been "more rude".<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/08/12/robin-williams-brings-joy-to-the-hearts-of-journalists-and-politicians-once-again/ Robin Williams brings joy to the hearts of journalists and politicians once again]</ref>
  
 
Fellow atheist and evolutionist [[Jerry Coyne]] wrote in response to Myers' commentary on the suicide of Robin Williams:
 
Fellow atheist and evolutionist [[Jerry Coyne]] wrote in response to Myers' commentary on the suicide of Robin Williams:
 
{{cquote|This is one of the most contemptible and inhumane things I've ever seen posted by a well-known atheist. It reeks of arrogance, of condescension, and especially of a lack of empathy for those who loved and admired Williams not because they knew him, but because he brought them happiness and made them think.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/08/on_robin_willia088801.html On Robin Williams's Death, a Revealing Dispute Between Atheist-Evolutionist Spokesmen]</ref>}}
 
{{cquote|This is one of the most contemptible and inhumane things I've ever seen posted by a well-known atheist. It reeks of arrogance, of condescension, and especially of a lack of empathy for those who loved and admired Williams not because they knew him, but because he brought them happiness and made them think.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2014/08/on_robin_willia088801.html On Robin Williams's Death, a Revealing Dispute Between Atheist-Evolutionist Spokesmen]</ref>}}
  
Myers was angry because he felt that the news of Robins Williams death was crowding out the news story of the African-American Michael Brown who was shot by a police officer (a race riot subsequently ensued).<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/13/p-z-myers-is-surprise-unmoved-by-suicide-of-wealthy-white-robin-williams/ P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams]</ref> Myers was criticized by one of the bloggers at [[Hemant Mehta]]'s blog ''The Friendly Atheist'' due to his "his heartless, classless body blow to the still-warm corpse of Robin Williams."<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/13/p-z-myers-is-surprise-unmoved-by-suicide-of-wealthy-white-robin-williams/ P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams]</ref>  In addition, Myers' hypocrisy was pointed out as he had made no blog posts previously about the Michael Brown matter and additionally Myers a day earlier, made "a substance-free 15-word post whose main attraction was a photo of a cute bulldog puppy."<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/13/p-z-myers-is-surprise-unmoved-by-suicide-of-wealthy-white-robin-williams/ P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams]</ref>
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Myers was angry because he felt that the news of Robins Williams death was crowding out the news story of the African-American Michael Brown who was shot by a police officer (a race riot subsequently ensued).<ref name="patheos.com">[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/13/p-z-myers-is-surprise-unmoved-by-suicide-of-wealthy-white-robin-williams/ P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams]</ref> Myers was criticized by one of the bloggers at [[Hemant Mehta]]'s blog ''The Friendly Atheist'' due to his "his heartless, classless body blow to the still-warm corpse of Robin Williams."<ref name="patheos.com"/>  In addition, Myers' hypocrisy was pointed out as he had made no blog posts previously about the Michael Brown matter and additionally Myers a day earlier, made "a substance-free 15-word post whose main attraction was a photo of a cute bulldog puppy."<ref name="patheos.com"/>
  
 
In 2011, fellow [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] and evolutionist [[Richard Dawkins]] was also criticized for his social ineptitude due to the events surrounding [[Elevatorgate]] incident (see also: [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Women's views of Richard Dawkins]]),
 
In 2011, fellow [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] and evolutionist [[Richard Dawkins]] was also criticized for his social ineptitude due to the events surrounding [[Elevatorgate]] incident (see also: [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Women's views of Richard Dawkins]]),
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== PZ Myers' prediction that the atheism movement will stagnate or shrink unless atheists change ==
 
== PZ Myers' prediction that the atheism movement will stagnate or shrink unless atheists change ==
  
''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]]
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''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheist pessimism about the atheist movement]]
  
 
On  September 27, 2014 in a blog post entitled ''The Atheist Disillusionment'', PZ Myers declared:
 
On  September 27, 2014 in a blog post entitled ''The Atheist Disillusionment'', PZ Myers declared:
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Unless we change.
 
Unless we change.
  
I don’t know that we can.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/09/27/the-atheist-disillusionment/ ''The Atheist Disillusionment''] - PZ Myers]], September 27, 2014</ref>}}
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I don’t know that we can.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/09/27/the-atheist-disillusionment/ ''The Atheist Disillusionment''] - PZ Myers, September 27, 2014</ref>}}
  
 
Please see: [[Atheist movement]] and [[Global atheism|Decline of global atheism]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]] and [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]] and [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]
 
Please see: [[Atheist movement]] and [[Global atheism|Decline of global atheism]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]] and [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]] and [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]
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== PZ Myers on YouTube atheism ==
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''See also:'' [[YouTube atheism]]
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PZ Myers wrote about YouTube atheism which is dominated by anti-[[social justice warrior]] atheism:
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{{Cquote|I haven’t been on YouTube for quite a while...
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I stopped bothering because I didn’t want to be associated with these goons, and it didn’t matter what I said…any video would be swarmed with abuse. Every once in a while I tell myself I shouldn’t surrender the medium so easily and that I should at least make a little effort now and then, but meh…I’d have to come up with a vainglorious name, figure out how to animate a goofy avatar, and learn how to overlook a lot of gross logical fallacies.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2016/07/27/youtube-where-atheism-goes-to-rot/ YouTube, where atheism goes to rot]</ref>}}
  
 
== Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks ==
 
== Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks ==
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In 2013, the PZ Myers declared:
 
In 2013, the PZ Myers declared:
{{cquote|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.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
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{{cquote|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.<ref name="evolutionnews.org">[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
  
 
In response, ''Evolution News and Views'' wrote:
 
In response, ''Evolution News and Views'' wrote:
{{cquote|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.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
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{{cquote|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.<ref name="evolutionnews.org">[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
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PZ Myers wrote about himself:
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{{Cquote|I’m a nerd. A colossal, boring, asocial nerd, and a homely one at that, and I always have been. You might also be surprised to learn that I totally lack all confidence in myself and my appearance, and it only takes a little bit to impress me.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2016/08/21/1-800-flowers-for-when-you-absolutely-dont-care-about-getting-a-terrific-experience/#more-31776 1-800-FLOWERS, for when you absolutely don’t care about getting a terrific experience] by PZ Myers</ref>}}
  
 
== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ==
 
== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ==
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The term [[New Atheism]] which first appeared in the November 2006 edition of ''Wired'' magazine, is frequently applied to a series of six best-selling books by five authors that appeared in the period between 2004–2008.  These authors include [[Sam Harris]], [[Daniel Dennett]], [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Victor J. Stenger]] and [[Christopher Hitchens]].<ref>http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/battle.html</ref> The four most prominent writers of the New Atheist movement are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett and they have commonly been called "the four horsemen" of New Atheism.  
 
The term [[New Atheism]] which first appeared in the November 2006 edition of ''Wired'' magazine, is frequently applied to a series of six best-selling books by five authors that appeared in the period between 2004–2008.  These authors include [[Sam Harris]], [[Daniel Dennett]], [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Victor J. Stenger]] and [[Christopher Hitchens]].<ref>http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/battle.html</ref> The four most prominent writers of the New Atheist movement are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett and they have commonly been called "the four horsemen" of New Atheism.  
  
PZ Myers dubbed himself the fifth horseman of the New Atheism movement, but the term never caught on and he was mocked by some fellow atheists such as Michael Nugent.<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/11/04/chronology-of-misrepresentations-and-smears-in-the-atheist-movement-by-pz-myers-and-others/ Chronology of misrepresentations and smears in the atheist movement by PZ Myers and others] by Michael Nugent on November 4, 2014</ref><ref>[http://thehumanist.com/magazine/november-december-2009/features/comes-a-horseman Comes a Horseman] by PZ Myers • 13 October 2009</ref><ref>[http://skeptischism.com/atheismneat/ PZ Myers, Animal Lover], Atheism Neat by Matt Cavanaugh</ref>
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PZ Myers dubbed himself the fifth horseman of the New Atheism movement, but the term never caught on and he was mocked by some fellow atheists such as Michael Nugent.<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/11/04/chronology-of-misrepresentations-and-smears-in-the-atheist-movement-by-pz-myers-and-others/ Chronology of misrepresentations and smears in the atheist movement by PZ Myers and others] by Michael Nugent on November 4, 2014</ref><ref name="Comes a Horseman">[http://thehumanist.com/magazine/november-december-2009/features/comes-a-horseman Comes a Horseman] by PZ Myers • 13 October 2009</ref><ref>[http://skeptischism.com/atheismneat/ PZ Myers, Animal Lover], Atheism Neat by Matt Cavanaugh</ref>
  
 
Myers wrote in 2009:
 
Myers wrote in 2009:
 
{{cquote|Another problem with the Four Horsemen analogy is the number. As we all know, there are quite a few more vocal people who have been active in atheism and humanism and secularism in general than just the four. What about Victor Stenger or Pascal Boyer? [[Richard Carrier]], Julia Sweeney, [[Dan Barker]]? Don’t they get horses? And what about me? You know, I’m as atheist as those others and I’m probably “atheier” than some of them. (Although I do have to admit I haven’t written a book yet. I’m on sabbatical this year to finish my book, so maybe I’ll get a horse after all.)
 
{{cquote|Another problem with the Four Horsemen analogy is the number. As we all know, there are quite a few more vocal people who have been active in atheism and humanism and secularism in general than just the four. What about Victor Stenger or Pascal Boyer? [[Richard Carrier]], Julia Sweeney, [[Dan Barker]]? Don’t they get horses? And what about me? You know, I’m as atheist as those others and I’m probably “atheier” than some of them. (Although I do have to admit I haven’t written a book yet. I’m on sabbatical this year to finish my book, so maybe I’ll get a horse after all.)
  
So I’m going to very prematurely declare myself a fifth horseman. I picture myself, though, as a little guy on a very small pony trotting after the other four. However, I’m waving a great big banner that has the words, “The Internet” on it. That’s me.<ref>[http://thehumanist.com/magazine/november-december-2009/features/comes-a-horseman Comes a Horseman] by PZ Myers • 13 October 2009</ref>}}
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So I’m going to very prematurely declare myself a fifth horseman. I picture myself, though, as a little guy on a very small pony trotting after the other four. However, I’m waving a great big banner that has the words, “The Internet” on it. That’s me.<ref name="Comes a Horseman">[http://thehumanist.com/magazine/november-december-2009/features/comes-a-horseman Comes a Horseman] by PZ Myers • 13 October 2009</ref>}}
  
 
== PZ Myers' blog audience  ==
 
== PZ Myers' blog audience  ==
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{{cquote|Scienceblogger Chad Orzel described  the commentators on PZ Myers ' Scienceblogs.com site [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]], and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys</ref>}}
 
{{cquote|Scienceblogger Chad Orzel described  the commentators on PZ Myers ' Scienceblogs.com site [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]], and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys</ref>}}
  
A somewhat similar report was made concerning the audience of [[Richard Dawkins]]'s web community. In February of 2010, the news organization ''The Telegraph'' reported that the [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution|evolutionist]] [[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'."<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html</ref>  In addition, Richard Dawkins [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|has a reputation for being abrasive]].
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A somewhat similar report was made concerning the audience of [[Richard Dawkins]]'s web community. In February 2010, the news organization ''The Telegraph'' reported that the [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist 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'."<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html</ref>  In addition, Richard Dawkins [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|has a reputation for being abrasive]].
  
 
Myers is one of the more prominent bloggers at [[Freethoughtblogs]] and the blogging website has been losing a significant amount of web traffic since 2012 according to [[Quantcast]] which directly measures its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com?qcLocale=en_US#/trafficCard Freethoughtblogs - Quantcast]</ref>  See also: [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]]
 
Myers is one of the more prominent bloggers at [[Freethoughtblogs]] and the blogging website has been losing a significant amount of web traffic since 2012 according to [[Quantcast]] which directly measures its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com?qcLocale=en_US#/trafficCard Freethoughtblogs - Quantcast]</ref>  See also: [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]]
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His lack of scholarship and intellectual rigor in these areas, as well as the truth of my statements above, may be demonstrated in the following examples (which are a mere few of many).
 
His lack of scholarship and intellectual rigor in these areas, as well as the truth of my statements above, may be demonstrated in the following examples (which are a mere few of many).
  
PZ Myers dismisses [[Vox Day]]’s book ''The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens'' while admitting to only having read a few chapters.
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PZ Myers dismisses Vox Day’s book ''The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens'' while admitting to only having read a few chapters.
[[Image:Stephen Meyer.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Dr. [[Stephen Meyer]] published an article favoring [[intelligent design]] in a peer reviewed science journal which had traditionally only published material advocating the [[evolution|evolutionary]] position.<ref>http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=1489</ref>]]
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[[Image:Stephen Meyer.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Dr. [[Stephen Meyer]] published an article favoring [[intelligent design]] in a peer reviewed science journal which had traditionally only published material advocating the [[evolution]]ary position.<ref>http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=1489</ref>]]
 
Yet, he refuses to debate Vox Day on the existence of God, or evolution for that matter (Myers being a professor of biology) based on dismissing a book he barely read (yes, it is merely a lame excuse which he peppered with a barrage of emotive ad hominems) — see [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/speaking-assiduous-absconders%E2%80%A6yet-again-vox-day-challenges-pz-myers-debate Speaking of Assiduous Absconders…Yet Again, Vox Day Challenges PZ Myers to Debate].
 
Yet, he refuses to debate Vox Day on the existence of God, or evolution for that matter (Myers being a professor of biology) based on dismissing a book he barely read (yes, it is merely a lame excuse which he peppered with a barrage of emotive ad hominems) — see [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/speaking-assiduous-absconders%E2%80%A6yet-again-vox-day-challenges-pz-myers-debate Speaking of Assiduous Absconders…Yet Again, Vox Day Challenges PZ Myers to Debate].
  
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''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists]]
 
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists]]
  
In 2010, the worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by [[Creation Ministries International]] as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in [[Australia]].<ref name="clown">http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> [[Richard Dawkins]], PZ Myers and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.<ref name="clown" />  Generally speaking, [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]].  
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In 2010, the worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by [[Creation Ministries International]] as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in [[Australia]].<ref name="clown">http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.<ref name="clown" />  Generally speaking, [[creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]].  
  
The website [[True Free Thinker]] declared concerning the refusal of [[Richard Dawkins]], PZ Myers and other prominent atheists to debate the [[creation science|creation scientists]] and other staff at [[Creation Ministries International]]:  
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The website [[True Free Thinker]] declared concerning the refusal of Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists to debate the [[creation science|creation scientists]] and other staff at [[Creation Ministries International]]:  
 
{{cquote|In keeping with his constant attention getting shenanigans and his equally constant absconding from debating apt challengers via a barrage of illogical and excuses, the moniker of cowardly clown fits Richard Dawkins more than ever (see [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/send-clowns-%E2%80%93-richard-dawkins-obliges Send in the Clowns – Richard Dawkins Obliges]).
 
{{cquote|In keeping with his constant attention getting shenanigans and his equally constant absconding from debating apt challengers via a barrage of illogical and excuses, the moniker of cowardly clown fits Richard Dawkins more than ever (see [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/send-clowns-%E2%80%93-richard-dawkins-obliges Send in the Clowns – Richard Dawkins Obliges]).
 
[[Image:Jonathansafarti.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|Dr. [[Jonathan Sarfati]]  ]]
 
[[Image:Jonathansafarti.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|Dr. [[Jonathan Sarfati]]  ]]
Enter Jonathan Sarfati (PhD in chemistry),senior scientist at Creation Ministries International, who recently published the book “The Greatest Hoax on Earth? Refuting Dawkins on Evolution.” Interestingly, Jonathan Sarfati sought to publish the book by the time that the 2010 Global Atheist Convention—billed as “The Rise of Atheism”—of March 12-14 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia.
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Enter Jonathan Sarfati (PhD in chemistry),senior scientist at Creation Ministries International, who recently published the book “The Greatest Hoax on Earth? Refuting Dawkins on Evolution.” Interestingly, Jonathan Sarfati sought to publish the book by the time that the 2010 Global Atheist Convention—billed as “The Rise of Atheism”—of March 12–14 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia.
  
The most intelligent, well informed and vociferous atheists in the world, including [http://www.truefreethinker.com/richard-dawkins Richard Dawkins], [http://www.truefreethinker.com/dan-barker Dan Barker], [http://www.truefreethinker.com/pz-myers PZ Myers], et al, were challenged to debate while their worldwide choir was gathered in one place and yet, one by one they each found excuses to cower from debate even whilst proclaiming to their adherents the intellectual superiority of [[atheism]].<ref name="clown" />}}
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The most intelligent, well informed and vociferous atheists in the world, including [http://www.truefreethinker.com/richard-dawkins Richard Dawkins], [http://www.truefreethinker.com/dan-barker Dan Barker], [http://www.truefreethinker.com/pz-myers PZ Myers], et al, were challenged to debate while their worldwide choir was gathered in one place and yet, one by one they each found excuses to cower from debate even whilst proclaiming to their adherents the intellectual superiority of atheism.<ref name="clown" />}}
  
 
In January 2008, Myers participated in a brief radio debate with [[Discovery Institute]] fellow Geoffrey Simmons on [[Minneapolis]]/[[St. Paul]] radio station KKMS.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5Y3VoBeVQ</ref>
 
In January 2008, Myers participated in a brief radio debate with [[Discovery Institute]] fellow Geoffrey Simmons on [[Minneapolis]]/[[St. Paul]] radio station KKMS.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5Y3VoBeVQ</ref>
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Atheism and Debate|Atheism and debate]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Atheism and Debate|Atheism and debate]]
  
On September 4, 2011, [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Vox Day]]/Theodore Beale wrote concerning PZ Myers:
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On September 4, 2011, [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] Vox Day/Theodore Beale wrote concerning PZ Myers:
 
{{cquote|I have heard from numerous atheists who find his intellectual cowardice to be more than a little troubling given his usual tendency to create conflict rather than to avoid it. And he has handed an out to every single individual he ever hopes to challenge in the future. Why should they debate a nobody like him, a clown who isn't even a bigshot in his own field?
 
{{cquote|I have heard from numerous atheists who find his intellectual cowardice to be more than a little troubling given his usual tendency to create conflict rather than to avoid it. And he has handed an out to every single individual he ever hopes to challenge in the future. Why should they debate a nobody like him, a clown who isn't even a bigshot in his own field?
  
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== PZ Myers on abortion ==
 
== PZ Myers on abortion ==
[[Image:115523-004-FA619CA3.jpg|thumb|right|250px| The perverse and cruel [[atheism|atheist]] [[Marquis de Sade]] was an early advocate of [[abortion]] in the [[Western World]].<ref>http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract</ref>]]
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[[Image:115523-004-FA619CA3.jpg|thumb|right|250px| The perverse and cruel atheist [[Marquis de Sade]] was an early advocate of [[abortion]] in the [[Western World]].<ref name="jme.bmj.com">http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract</ref>]]
 
See also: [[PZ Myers and abortion]] and [[Atheism and mass murder]] and [[Atheism and morality]]  
 
See also: [[PZ Myers and abortion]] and [[Atheism and mass murder]] and [[Atheism and morality]]  
  
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'what's at stake is a mere embryo, so it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated, and I don't have any illusions about whether this is deciding the fate of a human life -- it's not. There's no person...'
 
'what's at stake is a mere embryo, so it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated, and I don't have any illusions about whether this is deciding the fate of a human life -- it's not. There's no person...'
  
Myers' ugly assertion -- 'it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated...[t]here's no person -- demonstrates the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] moral vacuum. [[Atheism and morality|New Atheists insist that there is no objective moral law]]; morality is nothing more than an evolved adaptation, or what each of us decides, ad nauseam. Yet if there is no objective moral law that transcends the individual will to power, then power, not justice nor mercy nor even love for one's own child, governs human conduct. Atheist morality boils down to this: '... because we can'. That has been the moral code of atheism in power for a century.<ref name="abortion" />}}
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Myers' ugly assertion -- 'it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated...[t]here's no person -- demonstrates the New Atheist moral vacuum. [[Atheism and morality|New Atheists insist that there is no objective moral law]]; morality is nothing more than an evolved adaptation, or what each of us decides, ad nauseam. Yet if there is no objective moral law that transcends the individual will to power, then power, not justice nor mercy nor even love for one's own child, governs human conduct. Atheist morality boils down to this: '... because we can'. That has been the moral code of atheism in power for a century.<ref name="abortion" />}}
  
 
In 2011, Myers wrote that when he sees dead baby pictures: "I look at them unflinchingly and see meat."<ref name="meat">http://www.examiner.com/christian-apologetics-in-albuquerque/pz-myers-best-reason-for-rejecting-atheism-murdered-babies-are-just-meat</ref>
 
In 2011, Myers wrote that when he sees dead baby pictures: "I look at them unflinchingly and see meat."<ref name="meat">http://www.examiner.com/christian-apologetics-in-albuquerque/pz-myers-best-reason-for-rejecting-atheism-murdered-babies-are-just-meat</ref>
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Beautiful, healthy, innocent and defenseless human babies who were brutally murdered in unimaginably brutal and inhuman, inhumane, and subhuman manners are to be likened to rats, mice, dogs, and misc amputated body parts. In his reductionist eyes it is all merely temporarily animated meat.<ref name="meat" />}}
 
Beautiful, healthy, innocent and defenseless human babies who were brutally murdered in unimaginably brutal and inhuman, inhumane, and subhuman manners are to be likened to rats, mice, dogs, and misc amputated body parts. In his reductionist eyes it is all merely temporarily animated meat.<ref name="meat" />}}
  
PZ Myers's views are not surprising given the [[History of Atheism|history of atheism]] in relation to the abortion issue. The ''Journal of Medical Ethics'' article declared concerning the [[atheism|atheist]] and [[sadism|sadist]] [[Marquis de Sade]]:
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PZ Myers's views are not surprising given the [[History of Atheism|history of atheism]] in relation to the abortion issue. The ''Journal of Medical Ethics'' article declared concerning the atheist and [[sadism|sadist]] [[Marquis de Sade]]:
{{cquote|In 1795 the Marquis de Sade published his La Philosophic dans le boudoir, in which he proposed the use of induced abortion for social reasons and as a means of [[population control]]. It is from this time that medical and social acceptance of abortion can be dated, although previously the subject had not been discussed in public in modern times. It is suggested that it was largely due to de Sade's writing that induced abortion received the impetus which resulted in its subsequent spread in western society.<ref>http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract</ref>}}
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{{cquote|In 1795 the Marquis de Sade published his La Philosophic dans le boudoir, in which he proposed the use of induced abortion for social reasons and as a means of [[population control]]. It is from this time that medical and social acceptance of abortion can be dated, although previously the subject had not been discussed in public in modern times. It is suggested that it was largely due to de Sade's writing that induced abortion received the impetus which resulted in its subsequent spread in western society.<ref name="jme.bmj.com">http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract</ref>}}
  
 
[[Population control]] is based on [[pseudoscience]] and ill founded [[economics|economic]] assumptions.<ref name="abortion" />
 
[[Population control]] is based on [[pseudoscience]] and ill founded [[economics|economic]] assumptions.<ref name="abortion" />
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and women]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and women]]
  
In 2014, PZ Myers said of [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/18/richard-dawkins-sexist-atheists-bad-name Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name] by Adam Lee, ''The Guardian'', September 18, 2014</ref>
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In 2014, PZ Myers said of New Atheist Richard Dawkins' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/18/richard-dawkins-sexist-atheists-bad-name Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name] by Adam Lee, ''The Guardian'', September 18, 2014</ref>
  
 
== Communion host incident ==
 
== Communion host incident ==
On July 8, 2008, PZ Myers posted an entry attacking Roman Catholic beliefs regards Communion.  He was reacting to a news story, in which a student at the University of Central Florida described a physical confrontation over his failure to consume a communion wafer.<ref>'Body Of Christ' Snatched From Church, Held Hostage By UCF Student, July 5, 2008[http://www.wftv.com/news/16798008/detail.html]</ref><ref>'Body Of Christ" Returned To Church After Student Receives Email Threats, July 7, 2008[http://www.wftv.com/news/16806050/detail.html]</ref>  After ridiculing some people as "petty, hateful, and stupid," and asserting that "nothing makes them stupider than religion," Myers requested that his readers steal consecrated Communion wafers for him, so that he could desecrate them on camera.  This rant predictably resulted in a strongly negative response from Catholics and those who support freedom of religious expression <ref>[http://www.catholicleague.org/pz-myers-hatemail/ PZ MYERS HATEMAIL]</ref>; Myers has since complained about the "hate mail" and "death threats" he has received, comparing the defense of Communion to a "witch hunt."  To date, the University of Minnesota has not taken official action against Myers for his inflammatory remarks, other than to remove the link to his blog from his faculty page. PZ Myers followed through with his threat, desecrating a eucharist and tearing out pages of a copy of the [[Koran]] and a copy of [[Richard Dawkins]]' ''The God Delusion''.<ref>http://discoverthefaith.com/2008/07/26/update-on-professor-myers-desecration-of-eucharist/</ref>
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On July 8, 2008, PZ Myers posted an entry attacking Roman Catholic beliefs regards Communion.  He was reacting to a news story, in which a student at the University of Central Florida described a physical confrontation over his failure to consume a communion wafer.<ref>'Body Of Christ' Snatched From Church, Held Hostage By UCF Student, July 5, 2008 [http://www.wftv.com/news/16798008/detail.html]</ref><ref>'Body Of Christ" Returned To Church After Student Receives Email Threats, July 7, 2008 [http://www.wftv.com/news/16806050/detail.html]</ref>  After ridiculing some people as "petty, hateful, and stupid," and asserting that "nothing makes them stupider than religion," Myers requested that his readers steal consecrated Communion wafers for him, so that he could desecrate them on camera.  This rant predictably resulted in a strongly negative response from Catholics and those who support freedom of religious expression;<ref>[http://www.catholicleague.org/pz-myers-hatemail/ PZ MYERS HATEMAIL]</ref> Myers has since complained about the "hate mail" and "death threats" he has received, comparing the defense of Communion to a "witch hunt."  To date, the University of Minnesota has not taken official action against Myers for his inflammatory remarks, other than to remove the link to his blog from his faculty page. PZ Myers followed through with his threat, desecrating a eucharist and tearing out pages of a copy of the [[Koran]] and a copy of Richard Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''.<ref>http://discoverthefaith.com/2008/07/26/update-on-professor-myers-desecration-of-eucharist/</ref>
  
 
Meanwhile, Myers posted two vitriolic emails he had received and included the email addresses where they supposedly had come from. Predictably, his readers responded with their own threatening and harassing emails even though at the time it was not clear whether or not the email addresses had been spoofed  One was allegedly from someone at 1-800-Flowers, though the husband of the user of the address subsequently owned up to sending the e-mail.<ref>http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html</ref> The account owner was fired by the company. Myers commented on the firing, saying, "She apparently did something stupid, which I don't have sympathy for. I would just rather not see people getting fired over an e-mail message."<ref>http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html?page=2)</ref> Myers attempted to save face, claiming that the unsurprising behavior by his readers was not the intent behind his posting of the email addresses, and called for his readers to stop "dunning these people with email, threatening them back, signing them up for spam, or otherwise being a jerk." These pleas fell on deaf ears, while PZ Myers continued to avoid doing the obvious thing in simply removing the email addresses from his blog.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/14/stop-it-now-please/ Stop it now. please]</ref><ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/13/mail-dump/ Mail dump]</ref>
 
Meanwhile, Myers posted two vitriolic emails he had received and included the email addresses where they supposedly had come from. Predictably, his readers responded with their own threatening and harassing emails even though at the time it was not clear whether or not the email addresses had been spoofed  One was allegedly from someone at 1-800-Flowers, though the husband of the user of the address subsequently owned up to sending the e-mail.<ref>http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html</ref> The account owner was fired by the company. Myers commented on the firing, saying, "She apparently did something stupid, which I don't have sympathy for. I would just rather not see people getting fired over an e-mail message."<ref>http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html?page=2)</ref> Myers attempted to save face, claiming that the unsurprising behavior by his readers was not the intent behind his posting of the email addresses, and called for his readers to stop "dunning these people with email, threatening them back, signing them up for spam, or otherwise being a jerk." These pleas fell on deaf ears, while PZ Myers continued to avoid doing the obvious thing in simply removing the email addresses from his blog.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/14/stop-it-now-please/ Stop it now. please]</ref><ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/13/mail-dump/ Mail dump]</ref>
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and the internet]] and [[Irreligion and superstition]]  
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and the internet]] and [[Irreligion and superstition]]  
  
In 2010, the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologetic]] website [[True Free Thinker]] declared:  
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In 2010, the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologetic]] website True Free Thinker declared:  
 
{{cquote|Just a few years ago PZ Myers fellow Sciencebloggers were complaining about his general lack of substance and about his cult of personality amen chorus of adherents whom were dubbed the [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys screechy monkeys].  PZ Myers should be thankful that Scienceblogs is not about science blogs and does not demand science on its Scienceblogs or else 99.9% of all posts on [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-pseudoscienceblogscom his pseudo-science blog] would have to be deleted or, would have never been posted in the first place.
 
{{cquote|Just a few years ago PZ Myers fellow Sciencebloggers were complaining about his general lack of substance and about his cult of personality amen chorus of adherents whom were dubbed the [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys screechy monkeys].  PZ Myers should be thankful that Scienceblogs is not about science blogs and does not demand science on its Scienceblogs or else 99.9% of all posts on [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-pseudoscienceblogscom his pseudo-science blog] would have to be deleted or, would have never been posted in the first place.
  
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== PZ Myers on bestiality ==
 
== PZ Myers on bestiality ==
[[File:Keldaby goats.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|PZ Myers said, "I don’t object to [[Atheism and bestiality|bestiality]] in a very limited set of specific conditions...".<ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref>  When asked what conditions were acceptable for bestially to be morally acceptable, Myers was silent. <ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref>]]
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[[File:Keldaby goats.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|PZ Myers said, "I don’t object to [[Atheism and bestiality|bestiality]] in a very limited set of specific conditions...".<ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref>  When asked what conditions were acceptable for bestially to be morally acceptable, Myers was silent.<ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref>]]
 
See also: [[PZ Myers on bestiality]] and [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]] and [[Academia and bestiality|Atheism, academia and bestiality]] and  [[Atheism and interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]  
 
See also: [[PZ Myers on bestiality]] and [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]] and [[Academia and bestiality|Atheism, academia and bestiality]] and  [[Atheism and interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]  
  
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On November 17, 2014, atheist [[Michael Nugent]] wrote:
 
On November 17, 2014, atheist [[Michael Nugent]] wrote:
{{cquote|PZ has several times written about and linked to [[pornography]] involving women and octopuses described as ‘hentai tentacle rape’. In one post, PZ wrote: “I know some people will be aghast at the exposed mammalian flesh and weird exploitation of women… but it’s got tentacles everywhere, and molluscs…” In another post, he wrote: “Although nothing beats a sea slug for that vulval feel, I’m afraid. Mmmm, Aplysia, if you weren’t so cold, I’d… ahem.”<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/11/17/belly-dance-pz-myers-judge-others-sexism/ “Do your belly dance.” “Get off my stage. I’ve got work to do.” What if PZ Myers judged others’ sexism as he judges himself?] by [[Michael Nugent]] on November 17, 2014</ref>}}
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{{cquote|PZ has several times written about and linked to [[pornography]] involving women and octopuses described as ‘hentai tentacle rape’. In one post, PZ wrote: “I know some people will be aghast at the exposed mammalian flesh and weird exploitation of women… but it’s got tentacles everywhere, and molluscs…” In another post, he wrote: “Although nothing beats a sea slug for that vulval feel, I’m afraid. Mmmm, Aplysia, if you weren’t so cold, I’d… ahem.”<ref>[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/11/17/belly-dance-pz-myers-judge-others-sexism/ “Do your belly dance.” “Get off my stage. I’ve got work to do.” What if PZ Myers judged others’ sexism as he judges himself?] by Michael Nugent on November 17, 2014</ref>}}
  
 
=== PZ Myers' daughter Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality ===
 
=== PZ Myers' daughter Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality ===
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Skeptic Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Skeptic Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality]]
  
Skeptic Skatje Myers, the daughter of [[evolution|evolutionist]] and atheist PZ Myers describes herself as "atheist, [[agnosticism|agnostic]], rationalist, complicated vegetarian (sans dairy and eggs mostly, avec dumpster diving, by-products, and ethical sources), [[Existentialism|existential]] and moral [[nihilism|nihilist]], social democrat”.<ref>[http://www.civitatedei.com/2011/07/skatje-myers-on-the-separation-of-church-and-state/ Skatje Myers on The Separation of Church and State]</ref>
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Skeptic Skatje Myers, the daughter of evolutionist and atheist PZ Myers describes herself as "atheist, [[agnosticism|agnostic]], rationalist, complicated vegetarian (sans dairy and eggs mostly, avec dumpster diving, by-products, and ethical sources), [[Existentialism|existential]] and moral [[nihilism|nihilist]], social democrat”.<ref>[http://www.civitatedei.com/2011/07/skatje-myers-on-the-separation-of-church-and-state/ Skatje Myers on The Separation of Church and State]</ref>
  
On January 2, 2008 Christian apologist [[Vox Day]] wrote in an article entitled ''Atheist Dad of the Year'':
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On January 2, 2008 Christian apologist Vox Day wrote in an article entitled ''Atheist Dad of the Year'':
{{cquote|If I were ever to have attacked [[atheism]] by arguing that on the rare occasions when atheists manage to successfully reproduce, their children would likely grow up possessing beliefs that are utterly immoral by Western moral norms and abhorrent to the average individual, many people would howl that I was unfairly engaging in baseless conjecture, regardless of the logic presented.
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{{cquote|If I were ever to have attacked atheism by arguing that on the rare occasions when atheists manage to successfully reproduce, their children would likely grow up possessing beliefs that are utterly immoral by Western moral norms and abhorrent to the average individual, many people would howl that I was unfairly engaging in baseless conjecture, regardless of the logic presented.
  
 
So, it's more than a little amusing to see PZ Myers angrily defending his daughter's public argument against anti-bestiality laws. Now, it's certainly the girl's right to advocate on behalf of whatever legal cause she feels is important to her, but this particular choice of subject really doesn't provide the most convincing evidence against the oft-repeated charge that atheists are hopelessly immoral. And if there's nothing rationally objectionable about the practice, then from whence comes this defensive paternal outrage?
 
So, it's more than a little amusing to see PZ Myers angrily defending his daughter's public argument against anti-bestiality laws. Now, it's certainly the girl's right to advocate on behalf of whatever legal cause she feels is important to her, but this particular choice of subject really doesn't provide the most convincing evidence against the oft-repeated charge that atheists are hopelessly immoral. And if there's nothing rationally objectionable about the practice, then from whence comes this defensive paternal outrage?
  
The ironic truth is that Miss Myers is absolutely correct; once the basic concept of [[Natural Law]] is abandoned, there is no rational basis for banning anything from necrophilia to cannibalism other than a vague sense of "ickiness" inherited from preceding generations possessed of a more conventional morality.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2008/01/atheist-dad-of-year.html Atheist Dad of the Year]</ref>}}
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The ironic truth is that Miss Myers is absolutely correct; once the basic concept of [[Natural Law]] is abandoned, there is no rational basis for banning anything from necrophilia to cannibalism other than a vague sense of "ickiness" inherited from preceding generations possessed of a more conventional morality.<ref name="Atheist Dad of the Year">[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2008/01/atheist-dad-of-year.html Atheist Dad of the Year]</ref>}}
  
 
Skatje Myers, the daughter of atheist PZ Myers, wrote:
 
Skatje Myers, the daughter of atheist PZ Myers, wrote:
 
{{cquote|Sexual relationships between humans and animals come as such a shock to people, but it doesn’t to me. There can be very deep, meaningful relationships between humans and their pets...
 
{{cquote|Sexual relationships between humans and animals come as such a shock to people, but it doesn’t to me. There can be very deep, meaningful relationships between humans and their pets...
  
That said, I remind you that my position isn’t based on my own personal wants. I just don’t see any reason to ban it other than the same reason things like [[homosexuality]] and sodomy were banned: it’s icky. I think it’s bad practice to put social taboos into legislature when no actual logical argument can be made against it.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/01/02/just-when-you-think-slimy-sal/ Just when you think Slimy Sal couldn’t sink any lower - Skatje Myers, Daughter of atheist PZ Myers - in blog comments section of PZ Myers' blog post]</ref><ref>Skatje Myers' Website is currently under construction, RSS feed -  Lacrimae Rerum,blog of Skatje Myers, blog article - Zoophilia Oct 2, 2007]</ref>}}
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That said, I remind you that my position isn’t based on my own personal wants. I just don’t see any reason to ban it other than the same reason things like [[homosexuality]] and sodomy were banned: it’s icky. I think it’s bad practice to put social taboos into legislature when no actual logical argument can be made against it.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/01/02/just-when-you-think-slimy-sal/ Just when you think Slimy Sal couldn’t sink any lower - Skatje Myers, Daughter of atheist PZ Myers - in blog comments section of PZ Myers' blog post]</ref><ref>Skatje Myers' Website is currently under construction, RSS feed -  Lacrimae Rerum,blog of Skatje Myers, blog article - Zoophilia Oct 2, 2007</ref>}}
  
 
See also:
 
See also:
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The way I see it, every other system of morality is based on unjustifiable claims too, so why follow someone else’s invented ideas of right and wrong?<ref>Skatje Myers' website is currently under construction, Morality by Skaje Myers</ref>}}
 
The way I see it, every other system of morality is based on unjustifiable claims too, so why follow someone else’s invented ideas of right and wrong?<ref>Skatje Myers' website is currently under construction, Morality by Skaje Myers</ref>}}
  
== Banning of Thunderf00t from Freethoughtblogs ==
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== Frethoughtblogs ==
  
''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]
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''See also:'' [[Freethoughtblogs]] and [[Internet atheism]]
  
On July 13, 2012 produced a video criticizing PZ Myers involvement in his banning from [[Freethoughtblogs]]. The video accuses PZ Myers of a lack of integrity and engaging in censorship.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96FtpDLi_Vw FreeThoughtBlogs and PZ Myers]</ref>
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[[Freethoughtblogs]] is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and [[Ed Brayton]].  
  
[[Vox Day]] wrote that [[Thunderf00t]]'s removal from Freethoughtblogs exemplified PZ Myers's unwillingness to intellectually engage his opponents and his lack of integrity.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2012/07/free-fascistthoughtblogs.html Vox Day on Freethoughtblogs]</ref>
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=== Web traffic of Freethoughtblogs ===
  
The issue which appeared to spark the contention was how to properly deal with the significant amount of [[misogny]] within the atheist community (see also: [[Atheism and women]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/07/01/thunderf00t-check-your-email/ Thunderf00t, check your email - PZ Myers]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuKH3trPpgY&list=UUmb8hO2ilV9vRa8cilis88A&index=1&feature=plcp Thunderf00t on how to handle misogny in the atheist community]</ref>
 
  
=== Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs on social justice ===
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[[File:Frethoughtblogs 10-2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2016, [[Freethoughtblogs ]] lost a considerable amount of global market share according to the web traffic tracking company [[Alexa]].]]
  
In October of 2014, the popular YouTube atheist [[Thunderf00t]] indicated that the bloggers at Freethoughtblogs 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.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqcLXNlEes Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism]</ref> Furthermore, he indicated that their attempt to make him a pariah within the atheist community had virtually no impact.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqcLXNlEes Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism]</ref>
 
  
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.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqcLXNlEes Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism]</ref>
+
[[File:Freethoughtblogs alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|Freethoughtblogs is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and [[Ed Brayton]].  
  
[[Image:CMpix1.JPG|thumb|300px|During his visit to the [[Creation Museum]], PZ Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a [[dinosaur]] model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO] ]]
+
[[Alexa]] is a web traffic tracking company. In 2015 and 2016, Freethoughtblogs saw a large decrease in its Alexa ranking.]]  
 +
{{Clear}}
  
== PZ Myers and his wife's worldview ==
+
==== PZ Myers' commentary on the web traffic of AIG's ministry ====
  
''See also:'' [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]
+
In 2011, PZ Myers said that he had greater blog traffic than the [[Answers in Genesis]] website and that the Answers in Genesis (AIG) website had "pathetic" web traffic.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/03/22/ken-ham-brags-about-his-websit/ Ken Ham brags about his websites]</ref> As of June 8, 2016, the Answers in Genesis website receives more web traffic than [[Freethoughtblogs]].<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/07/creationist-ken-ham-vs-atheist-pz-myers.html Creationist Ken Ham vs. atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers]</ref>
  
Although PZ Myers has indicated that his daughter Skatje Myers is an atheist, Myers is silent on whether or not his wife believes in the existence of God.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2008/01/atheist-dad-of-year.html Atheist Dad of the Year]</ref> Women are less likely to be atheists (see: [[Atheism and women]]).
+
=== Banning of Thunderf00t from Freethoughtblogs ===
 +
 
 +
''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]
 +
 
 +
On July 13, 2012 produced a video criticizing PZ Myers involvement in his banning from [[Freethoughtblogs]]. The video accuses PZ Myers of a lack of integrity and engaging in censorship.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96FtpDLi_Vw FreeThoughtBlogs and PZ Myers]</ref>
 +
 
 +
Vox Day wrote that [[Thunderf00t]]'s removal from Freethoughtblogs exemplified PZ Myers's unwillingness to intellectually engage his opponents and his lack of integrity.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2012/07/free-fascistthoughtblogs.html Vox Day on Freethoughtblogs]</ref>
 +
 
 +
The issue which appeared to spark the contention was how to properly deal with the significant amount of [[misogny]] within the atheist community (see also: Atheism and women).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/07/01/thunderf00t-check-your-email/ Thunderf00t, check your email - PZ Myers]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuKH3trPpgY&list=UUmb8hO2ilV9vRa8cilis88A&index=1&feature=plcp Thunderf00t on how to handle misogny in the atheist community]</ref>
 +
 
 +
=== Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs on social justice ===
 +
 
 +
In October 2014, the popular YouTube atheist [[Thunderf00t]] indicated that the bloggers at Freethoughtblogs 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.<ref name="youtube.com">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqcLXNlEes Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism]</ref> Furthermore, he indicated that their attempt to make him a pariah within the atheist community had virtually no impact.<ref name="youtube.com"/>
 +
 
 +
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.<ref name="youtube.com"/>
  
 
== Myers and prior unhealthy behavior before heart problems ==
 
== Myers and prior unhealthy behavior before heart problems ==
Line 384: Line 415:
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]
  
 +
[[Image:CMpix1.JPG|thumb|300px|During his visit to the [[Creation Museum]], PZ Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a [[dinosaur]] model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO] ]]
 
A significant number of the founders of the New Atheism movement have engaged in unhealthy behaviors which have upon occasion caused them significant health problems (see: [[New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles]]).
 
A significant number of the founders of the New Atheism movement have engaged in unhealthy behaviors which have upon occasion caused them significant health problems (see: [[New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles]]).
  
Line 403: Line 435:
 
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2568718/ Mental health, family function and obesity in African-American women, J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 April; 97(4): 478–482.]
 
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2568718/ Mental health, family function and obesity in African-American women, J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 April; 97(4): 478–482.]
 
</ref>
 
</ref>
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== PZ Myers and his wife's worldview ==
  
== See also ==
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''See also:'' [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]
  
*[[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]
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Although PZ Myers has indicated that his daughter Skatje Myers is an atheist, Myers is silent on whether or not his wife believes in the existence of God.<ref name="Atheist Dad of the Year">[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2008/01/atheist-dad-of-year.html Atheist Dad of the Year]</ref> Women are less likely to be atheists (see: [[Atheism and women]]).
*[[Irreligion and superstition]]
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*[[Rebecca Watson]]
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== See also ==
  
 
Comedy and satire:
 
Comedy and satire:
Line 420: Line 453:
 
*[[Essay: PZ Myers, is your wife an atheist?|PZ Myers, is your wife an atheist?]]
 
*[[Essay: PZ Myers, is your wife an atheist?|PZ Myers, is your wife an atheist?]]
 
*[[Essay: PZ Myers finally looks more like Ken Ham|PZ Myers finally looks more like Ken Ham!]]
 
*[[Essay: PZ Myers finally looks more like Ken Ham|PZ Myers finally looks more like Ken Ham!]]
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*[[Essay: Atheist PZ Myers: "I despair over atheism as I watch it burn...".|Atheist PZ Myers: "I despair over atheism as I watch it burn...".]]
 
*[[Essay: A reply to atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers|A reply to atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers]]  
 
*[[Essay: A reply to atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers|A reply to atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers]]  
 
*[[Essay: Ponies vs. atheism - Ponies win|Ponies vs. PZ Myers - Ponies win!]]  
 
*[[Essay: Ponies vs. atheism - Ponies win|Ponies vs. PZ Myers - Ponies win!]]  
*[[Evolutionists who have had problems with being overweight and/or obese]]
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*[[Essay: Atheists' meetings|Atheists' meetings]]
*[[Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution]] ('''large collection''' of comedy/satire concerning [[atheism]] and [[evolution]])
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*[[Essay: Atheists' meetings|Atheists' meetings]]
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*[[Essay: Is there a Laurel and Hardy of atheism?|Is there a Laurel and Hardy of atheism?]]
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==External Links==
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==External links==
*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/pz-myers PZ Myers - Christian rebuttals] by [[True Free Thinker]]
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*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/pz-myers PZ Myers - Christian rebuttals] by True Free Thinker
 
*[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/12/27/pz-myers-publicly-hates-and-despises-people/ PZ Myers publicly hates and despises people, not merely their ideas or behaviour] by atheist Michael Nugent
 
*[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2014/12/27/pz-myers-publicly-hates-and-despises-people/ PZ Myers publicly hates and despises people, not merely their ideas or behaviour] by atheist Michael Nugent
 
*[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/07/pz_myers_replies_with_incendia048251.html PZ Myers Replies with Incendiary Rhetoric Instead of Scientific Arguments]
 
*[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2011/07/pz_myers_replies_with_incendia048251.html PZ Myers Replies with Incendiary Rhetoric Instead of Scientific Arguments]
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[[Category:PZ Myers]]
 
[[Category:PZ Myers]]
 
[[Category:Atheism]]
 
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category: New Atheism]]
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[[Category:New Atheism]]
 
[[Category:Evolution]]
 
[[Category:Evolution]]
 
[[Category:Biologists]]
 
[[Category:Biologists]]
 
[[Category:Atheists]]
 
[[Category:Atheists]]
 
[[Category:Evolutionists]]
 
[[Category:Evolutionists]]

Revision as of 23:41, October 12, 2016

PZ Myers (photo obtained from Flickr, see license agreement)

Paul Zachary Myers, better known as PZ Myers, is a liberal, atheist and evolutionist activist in the creation-evolution controversy, contributing to The Panda's Thumb and Pharyngula blogs. Myers is also an associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM)[1]

PZ Myers commented, while listening to Michael Behe lecture on Intelligent design, that "In science, we scream a lot."[1] Myers' emotionalism may have helped earn him the label of having an "eccentric voice" by the newspaper USA Today.[2] In a 2014 lecture, Myers said he is known for being a "weird," "loud," "radicalized" and "firebrand" type of "New Atheist."[3]

Atheist Michael Nugent said of Myers:

PZ Myers says that “we (now) have an atheism where it is acceptable to rail against feminism, because feminists should be raped and killed.”

Even by PZ’s own standards, this is his most delusional smear yet...

It is incredible to think that reasonable people once took him seriously.[4]

Contents

Rebuke of PZ Myers by the atheist Michael Nugent relative to the area of social justice

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

The Irish atheist Michael Nugent wrote to PZ Myers in September 2014:

Some of the content of your blog is hurtful and unjust in itself, it also undermines the effectiveness of attempts to promote compassion and empathy and social justice, and it is additionally harmful because of your prominence as a perceived spokesperson for organised atheism...

PZ, is this really how you want to be remembered? Having defended you against unjust attacks from others, I am now asking you to take a long hard look at what you are doing, consider apologising to people who you have unjustly hurt and defamed, and start focusing on actually promoting compassion and empathy and social justice if those ideas are important to you.[5]

In April 2015, Atheist Ireland announced, "Atheist Ireland is publicly dissociating itself from the hurtful and dehumanising, hateful and violent, unjust and defamatory rhetoric of the atheist blogger PZ Myers."[6] The atheist biologist Massimo Pigliucci said of Myers, "one cannot conclude this parade without mentioning P.Z. Myers, who has risen to fame because of a blog where the level of nastiness (both by the host and by his readers) is rarely matched anywhere else on the Internet...".[7]

Due to its notability requirements, the website Wikipedia (which was founded by an atheist and agnostic), does not make mention of any specific accomplishments PZ Myers may have achieved in the area of social justice. Wikipedia does mention the social justice accomplishments of Christians such as William Wilberforce, Harriet Beecher Stowe and others.

PZ Myers turns off the social aspect of his blog

See also: Atheism and social skills and Atheism and narcissism

Michael Nugent reported in 2015:

PZ Myers has now closed down the social interaction aspect of his blog, after blaming his commenters for attacking an insider in the way that he has always encouraged them to attack outsiders. He also complains that FreeThought Blogs itself is ‘less a unified group than a disparate collection of loosely affiliated blogs that have found a convenient hosting service.’

PZ’s new view on community-building is that ‘we are all objects in space, drifting, occasionally bouncing off each other or tugging gently at each other’s masses. And that’s about it.’ PZ now says that he ‘will be a cold dark ember of a star, following my own whims, drifting alone, not trying to create a hospitable atmosphere.’

This shows that PZ Myers has learned nothing useful from the Little Shop of Hatred that he created and nourished until he lost control of it. Yesterday I wrote that, while I welcomed PZ’s diminishing influence in the international atheist movement, I would also welcome a genuine conversion by him to civility and empathy and fairness and justice. This has not happened. So be it.[8]

Inappropriate commentary on the suicide of comedian Robin Williams

In August 2014, very shortly after the suicide of the popular, American comedian/actor Robin Williams, PZ Myers made a callous and socially/emotionally tone-deaf blog post on the matter compounded by him subsequently indicating in the blog post comment section that he should have been "more rude".[9]

Fellow atheist and evolutionist Jerry Coyne wrote in response to Myers' commentary on the suicide of Robin Williams:

This is one of the most contemptible and inhumane things I've ever seen posted by a well-known atheist. It reeks of arrogance, of condescension, and especially of a lack of empathy for those who loved and admired Williams not because they knew him, but because he brought them happiness and made them think.[10]

Myers was angry because he felt that the news of Robins Williams death was crowding out the news story of the African-American Michael Brown who was shot by a police officer (a race riot subsequently ensued).[11] Myers was criticized by one of the bloggers at Hemant Mehta's blog The Friendly Atheist due to his "his heartless, classless body blow to the still-warm corpse of Robin Williams."[11] In addition, Myers' hypocrisy was pointed out as he had made no blog posts previously about the Michael Brown matter and additionally Myers a day earlier, made "a substance-free 15-word post whose main attraction was a photo of a cute bulldog puppy."[11]

In 2011, fellow New Atheist and evolutionist Richard Dawkins was also criticized for his social ineptitude due to the events surrounding Elevatorgate incident (see also: Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins and Women's views of Richard Dawkins),

Rejoicing at the accidental death of a Brazilian priest and then fantasizing about killing priests

In 2008, Myers rejoiced at the death of a Brazilian Roman Catholic priest who died a premature accidental death and then Myers fantasized about personally killing other priests.[12][13]

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

See also: Atheist movement and Atheist pessimism about the atheist movement

On September 27, 2014 in a blog post entitled The Atheist Disillusionment, 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.[14]

Please see: Atheist movement and Decline of global atheism and Atheism and social intelligence and Atheism and emotional intelligence and Atheism and morality and Atheism and uncharitableness

PZ Myers on YouTube atheism

See also: YouTube atheism

PZ Myers wrote about YouTube atheism which is dominated by anti-social justice warrior atheism:

I haven’t been on YouTube for quite a while...

I stopped bothering because I didn’t want to be associated with these goons, and it didn’t matter what I said…any video would be swarmed with abuse. Every once in a while I tell myself I shouldn’t surrender the medium so easily and that I should at least make a little effort now and then, but meh…I’d have to come up with a vainglorious name, figure out how to animate a goofy avatar, and learn how to overlook a lot of gross logical fallacies.[15]

Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks

PZ Myers

See also: Atheist nerds and Atheism and social outcasts and Internet atheism and Atheism and marriage and Atheism and women

In 2013, the 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.[16]

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.[16]

PZ Myers wrote about himself:

I’m a nerd. A colossal, boring, asocial nerd, and a homely one at that, and I always have been. You might also be surprised to learn that I totally lack all confidence in myself and my appearance, and it only takes a little bit to impress me.[17]

PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery

See also: Atheism and mockery

In August 2009, Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the Creation Museum.[18] During the visit, Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.VIDEO In addition, the purpose of the dinosaur model is clearly for children to sit on for photographs.[19][20] Myers donned a borrowed cowboy hat and was egged on by the cheers and laughter of the students.[21]

See also:

Dubbing himself the fifth horseman of the New Atheism movement

The term New Atheism which first appeared in the November 2006 edition of Wired magazine, is frequently applied to a series of six best-selling books by five authors that appeared in the period between 2004–2008. These authors include Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Victor J. Stenger and Christopher Hitchens.[22] The four most prominent writers of the New Atheist movement are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett and they have commonly been called "the four horsemen" of New Atheism.

PZ Myers dubbed himself the fifth horseman of the New Atheism movement, but the term never caught on and he was mocked by some fellow atheists such as Michael Nugent.[23][24][25]

Myers wrote in 2009:

Another problem with the Four Horsemen analogy is the number. As we all know, there are quite a few more vocal people who have been active in atheism and humanism and secularism in general than just the four. What about Victor Stenger or Pascal Boyer? Richard Carrier, Julia Sweeney, Dan Barker? Don’t they get horses? And what about me? You know, I’m as atheist as those others and I’m probably “atheier” than some of them. (Although I do have to admit I haven’t written a book yet. I’m on sabbatical this year to finish my book, so maybe I’ll get a horse after all.)

So I’m going to very prematurely declare myself a fifth horseman. I picture myself, though, as a little guy on a very small pony trotting after the other four. However, I’m waving a great big banner that has the words, “The Internet” on it. That’s me.[24]

PZ Myers' blog audience

PZ Myers

See also: and Atheism and the internet

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."[26]

A somewhat similar report was made concerning the audience of Richard Dawkins's web community. In February 2010, the news organization The Telegraph reported that the atheist and evolutionist 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'."[27] In addition, Richard Dawkins has a reputation for being abrasive.

Myers is one of the more prominent bloggers at Freethoughtblogs and the blogging website has been losing a significant amount of web traffic since 2012 according to Quantcast which directly measures its web traffic.[28] See also: Decline of New Atheism

PZ Myers' blog audience and their reported Asperger's quotient test results

See also: Atheism and autism and Atheism and brain function

Asperger's syndrome (sometimes referred to as "High-Functioning Autism" or "HFA") is an umbrella term used to classify problematic behaviours similar to, but less severe than, those within the lower reaches of the autistic spectrum.

Vox Day has written about atheists being "socially autistic".[29][30][31]

Vox Day wrote concerning PZ Myers' blog Pharyngula:

It's by no means a scientific test, but it is interesting to note the coincidence that 59 of the virulent atheists over at Dr. PZ Myers place report an average score on the Asperger's Quotient test of 27.8. And this does not include the two individuals who actually have Asperger's but did not report any test results."

As PZ himself said: "I took the test and scored a 24, an “average math contest winner.” You need a 32 to suggest Asperger’s, and a 15 is the average. So there. I don’t have Asperger’s, I’m just cruel and insensitive."[32]

Below is some information that Aspergerstest.com gives concerning interpreting their Asperger's quiz results:

Basically the range for possible answers is 0 to 50. The information below shows you the different ranges as recorded from others sitting this same AQ quiz over the years.

0-11 low result – indicating no tendency at all towards autistic traits.

11-21 is the average result that people get (many women average around 15 and men around 17)

22-25 shows autistic tendencies slightly above the population average

26-31 gives a borderline indication of an autism spectrum disorder. It is also possible to have aspergers or mild autism within this range.

32-50 indicates a strong likelihood of Asperger syndrome or autism.

In fact, scores of 32 or above are one of strong indicators of having as ASD.[33]

However, there is evidence which suggests that a large portion of PZ Myers' blog audience are narcissists rather than individuals who have Asperger's Syndrome (see: PZ Myers' antitheist blog audience and the issue of narcissism vs. Asperger's Syndrome).

PZ Myers and militant atheism

PZ Myers is a militant atheist who has openly advocated the elimination of religion, likening it to illiteracy.[34] His language is extremely militant at times, and laced with expletives. In a diatribe in which he described those who believe in the Bible as "lunatics" and "bigots," Myers said:

I say, screw the polite words and careful rhetoric. It's time for scientists to break out the steel-toed boots and brass knuckles, and get out there and hammer on the lunatics and idiots.[35]

PZ Myers frequently rants against religion, religious people, and religious institutions (e.g. churches) on his blog. Myers has called evangelical Christianity "a blight upon the earth,"[36] religious people "ignorant, deluded, wicked, foolish, or oppressed victims of obsolete mythologies,"[37] and considers every church to be a "parasitic institution that contributes nothing to the tax base and encourages further ignorance in the population."[38]

Myers has yet to offer scholarly work on the subject of atheism[39] In addition, given Myers' diatribes that religious people are allegedly ignorant and deluded, it is quite ironic that Myers has yet to offer any compelling atheist apologetic material rebutting the studies that indicate the irreligious are generally more superstitious than evangelical Christians.

Militant atheism and intellectual slothfulness of PZ Myers

See also: Irreligion and superstition and Militant atheism and intellectual slothfulness of PZ Myers and Atheism and irrationality and Atheism and logic

The Christian apologetic website True Free Thinker declares concerning the intellectual slothfulness of PZ Myers:

That PZ Myers is emotively vociferous is evident to anyone who reads, well, virtually anything that he has ever written on any subject at all.

It is likewise evident that he is intellectually mute. How so? Where are his scholarly works on the truth of atheism? He has produced none.

He merely presupposes God’s non-existence without evidence, see:

ITS NAME IS DOOM — PZ Myers’ A Priori Presuppositional Presumption of Atheism

PZ Myers is Refreshingly Honest: Doom, Gloom and a Positive Affirmation of God’s Non-Existence to Boot!

PZ Myers – Contra Mitch Daniels and Pro Positive Affirmation of God’s Non-Existence, part 1 of 2

PZ Myers’ Dogmatheism Catechism

Etc., etc., etc.....

Where then are his proofs of atheism and disproof of theism? None exist but merely emotive besmirchments of straw-men and straw-gods.

His lack of scholarship and intellectual rigor in these areas, as well as the truth of my statements above, may be demonstrated in the following examples (which are a mere few of many).

PZ Myers dismisses Vox Day’s book The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens while admitting to only having read a few chapters.

Dr. Stephen Meyer published an article favoring intelligent design in a peer reviewed science journal which had traditionally only published material advocating the evolutionary position.[40]

Yet, he refuses to debate Vox Day on the existence of God, or evolution for that matter (Myers being a professor of biology) based on dismissing a book he barely read (yes, it is merely a lame excuse which he peppered with a barrage of emotive ad hominems) — see Speaking of Assiduous Absconders…Yet Again, Vox Day Challenges PZ Myers to Debate.

PZ Myers also dismissed Stephen Meyer’s book Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design referring to it as a “stinker,” “drivel” and “Discovery Institute Bulldung” whilst stating that, “Stephen Meyer lies.” Yet, he stated all of this, and more, whilst stating, “I suppose I’ll have to read that 600 page pile of slop sometime…”....This fact alone shows that he needs to read it, as Intelligent Design proponents are constantly begging their opponents to stop mischaracterizing Intelligent Design theory as holding to something to the likes of it’s so complex, it must have been . . . designed!

PZ Myers also refused to debate anyone from Creation Ministries International (CMI) even while he was in Australia for the preaching-to-the-choir-back-patting Global Atheist Convention - The Rise of Atheism – the “biggest ever atheist event in Australia’s history”...

Clearly, PZ Myers is popular because he scratches where many atheists itch: atheism is an emotional rejection of God very, very thinly veneered in a facade of scientific and intellectual respectability. Thus, PZ Myers plays upon and stokes the fires of emotion yet, he has not, is not and who knows if he ever will engage the intellect.[39]

Refusal to debate at atheist global conference and brief radio debate

See also: Richard Dawkins' public refusal to debate creationists

In 2010, the worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by Creation Ministries International as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in Australia.[41] Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.[41] Generally speaking, creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates.

The website True Free Thinker declared concerning the refusal of Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and other prominent atheists to debate the creation scientists and other staff at Creation Ministries International:

In keeping with his constant attention getting shenanigans and his equally constant absconding from debating apt challengers via a barrage of illogical and excuses, the moniker of cowardly clown fits Richard Dawkins more than ever (see Send in the Clowns – Richard Dawkins Obliges).

Enter Jonathan Sarfati (PhD in chemistry),senior scientist at Creation Ministries International, who recently published the book “The Greatest Hoax on Earth? Refuting Dawkins on Evolution.” Interestingly, Jonathan Sarfati sought to publish the book by the time that the 2010 Global Atheist Convention—billed as “The Rise of Atheism”—of March 12–14 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia.

The most intelligent, well informed and vociferous atheists in the world, including Richard Dawkins, Dan Barker, PZ Myers, et al, were challenged to debate while their worldwide choir was gathered in one place and yet, one by one they each found excuses to cower from debate even whilst proclaiming to their adherents the intellectual superiority of atheism.[41]

In January 2008, Myers participated in a brief radio debate with Discovery Institute fellow Geoffrey Simmons on Minneapolis/St. Paul radio station KKMS.[42]

PZ Myers refusal to debate

See also: Atheism and cowardice and Atheism and debate

On September 4, 2011, Christian apologist Vox Day/Theodore Beale wrote concerning PZ Myers:

I have heard from numerous atheists who find his intellectual cowardice to be more than a little troubling given his usual tendency to create conflict rather than to avoid it. And he has handed an out to every single individual he ever hopes to challenge in the future. Why should they debate a nobody like him, a clown who isn't even a bigshot in his own field?

As for the PZ Myers Memorial Debate, we are still in search of an atheist to champion the argument that the logic and evidence for the nonexistence of gods is stronger than the logic and evidence for the existence of gods. It is certainly informative to see how many atheists do not appear to believe they are able to effectively make this case; in light of this, many Christians may find this to be a useful tactical approach when confronted by aggressive atheists in the future. This tends to confirm my previous observations that while atheists like to challenge the beliefs of others, they are very ill-prepared, and in many cases downright unwilling, to defend their own. So, if you want to shut them up, simply go on the attack. They'll run away with alacrity.[43]

On August 28, 2011, Vox Day declared concerning Myers:

What you clearly do not understand is that, by his own admission, PZ relies heavily upon emotional arguments rather than logical ones when he cannot simply appeal to an established scientific consensus. "I'll also cop to the obvious fact that, knowing that reason will not get through their skills, I'm happy to use emotional arguments as well. Passion is persuasive." His tendency to rely upon emotional rhetoric and passion rather than reason is precisely why he is afraid to debate people who rely primarily upon logic, because his ability to present reason-based arguments is relatively low. His ability to utilize reason is simply not equal to the skill of others who make use of it more effectively. PZ is without question an effective preacher to the godless choir of science fetishists, but he is remarkably unskilled at presenting convincing arguments, let alone conclusive ones, to those who do not already agree with him. Unlike you, he knows he is not an effective evangelist.[44]

PZ Myers' commentary concerning atheist meetings

PZ Myers recently commented that atheist meetings tend to be significantly more attended by males.[45] Mr. Myers commentary concerning atheist meetings is not surprising given that survey data and website tracking data of prominent atheist websites indicate that in the Western World, atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

See also: Irreligion and superstition

Myers appeared in the film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. In the film, Myers compared religion to knitting and said it should be nothing more than "something fun that people get together and do on the weekend and really doesn't affect their life as much as it has been so far."[46] Up to and after the release of the film, PZ Myers viciously attacked the film and its makers many times and engaged in bizarre behavior. Two of the most notable incidents involved his failed attempt to gate-crash a showing of the film at the Mall of America[47] and his crashing and disruption (including plugging himself) of a conference call held by Expelled's producers after calling in early (likely to eavesdrop) and overhearing and then dishonestly using the phone code that allowed two-way communication.[48][49] Most bizarrely, in the latter incident, Myers interruption of the producers' call began with his referring to himself in the third person, probably in an attempt to conceal both his identity and the fact that he used a phone code he was not authorized to use.

PZ Myers on abortion

The perverse and cruel atheist Marquis de Sade was an early advocate of abortion in the Western World.[50]

See also: PZ Myers and abortion and Atheism and mass murder and Atheism and morality

PZ Myers is not only "pro-choice", but he said he is "even willing to say" that he is pro-abortion.[51]

The website Evolution News and Views wrote:

Myers again, on abortion:

'what's at stake is a mere embryo, so it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated, and I don't have any illusions about whether this is deciding the fate of a human life -- it's not. There's no person...'

Myers' ugly assertion -- 'it's no big loss if it's flushed and incinerated...[t]here's no person -- demonstrates the New Atheist moral vacuum. New Atheists insist that there is no objective moral law; morality is nothing more than an evolved adaptation, or what each of us decides, ad nauseam. Yet if there is no objective moral law that transcends the individual will to power, then power, not justice nor mercy nor even love for one's own child, governs human conduct. Atheist morality boils down to this: '... because we can'. That has been the moral code of atheism in power for a century.[51]

In 2011, Myers wrote that when he sees dead baby pictures: "I look at them unflinchingly and see meat."[52]

Christian apologist Ken Ammi wrote in response to PZ Myers remarks concerning abortion:

What a tragic figure, what a deprivation of all that is human and humane, what a sad, sick and depraved soul: what a by product of atheism.

Beautiful, healthy, innocent and defenseless human babies who were brutally murdered in unimaginably brutal and inhuman, inhumane, and subhuman manners are to be likened to rats, mice, dogs, and misc amputated body parts. In his reductionist eyes it is all merely temporarily animated meat.[52]

PZ Myers's views are not surprising given the history of atheism in relation to the abortion issue. The Journal of Medical Ethics article declared concerning the atheist and sadist Marquis de Sade:

In 1795 the Marquis de Sade published his La Philosophic dans le boudoir, in which he proposed the use of induced abortion for social reasons and as a means of population control. It is from this time that medical and social acceptance of abortion can be dated, although previously the subject had not been discussed in public in modern times. It is suggested that it was largely due to de Sade's writing that induced abortion received the impetus which resulted in its subsequent spread in western society.[50]

Population control is based on pseudoscience and ill founded economic assumptions.[51]

Atheist PZ Myers comment about Dawkins' attitude towards women

See also: Atheism and women

In 2014, PZ Myers said of New Atheist Richard Dawkins' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”[53]

Communion host incident

On July 8, 2008, PZ Myers posted an entry attacking Roman Catholic beliefs regards Communion. He was reacting to a news story, in which a student at the University of Central Florida described a physical confrontation over his failure to consume a communion wafer.[54][55] After ridiculing some people as "petty, hateful, and stupid," and asserting that "nothing makes them stupider than religion," Myers requested that his readers steal consecrated Communion wafers for him, so that he could desecrate them on camera. This rant predictably resulted in a strongly negative response from Catholics and those who support freedom of religious expression;[56] Myers has since complained about the "hate mail" and "death threats" he has received, comparing the defense of Communion to a "witch hunt." To date, the University of Minnesota has not taken official action against Myers for his inflammatory remarks, other than to remove the link to his blog from his faculty page. PZ Myers followed through with his threat, desecrating a eucharist and tearing out pages of a copy of the Koran and a copy of Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion.[57]

Meanwhile, Myers posted two vitriolic emails he had received and included the email addresses where they supposedly had come from. Predictably, his readers responded with their own threatening and harassing emails even though at the time it was not clear whether or not the email addresses had been spoofed One was allegedly from someone at 1-800-Flowers, though the husband of the user of the address subsequently owned up to sending the e-mail.[58] The account owner was fired by the company. Myers commented on the firing, saying, "She apparently did something stupid, which I don't have sympathy for. I would just rather not see people getting fired over an e-mail message."[59] Myers attempted to save face, claiming that the unsurprising behavior by his readers was not the intent behind his posting of the email addresses, and called for his readers to stop "dunning these people with email, threatening them back, signing them up for spam, or otherwise being a jerk." These pleas fell on deaf ears, while PZ Myers continued to avoid doing the obvious thing in simply removing the email addresses from his blog.[60][61]

Poor scholarship, weak leadership skills, denialism and engaged in selective quoting

Please see: PZ Myers' weak leadership skills

See also:

PZ Myers' blog posts often lack substance

See also: Atheism and the internet and Irreligion and superstition

In 2010, the Christian apologetic website True Free Thinker declared:

Just a few years ago PZ Myers fellow Sciencebloggers were complaining about his general lack of substance and about his cult of personality amen chorus of adherents whom were dubbed the screechy monkeys. PZ Myers should be thankful that Scienceblogs is not about science blogs and does not demand science on its Scienceblogs or else 99.9% of all posts on his pseudo-science blog would have to be deleted or, would have never been posted in the first place.

Now it is PZ Myers who is complaining about his fellow Sciencebloggers as he states that Scienceblogs has been facing a steady erosion of talent. The key question is What sort of talent? Talented at doing what?

If he references the talent to elucidate matters scientific then he is quite lacking himself.

If he refers to peppering virtually every post with ad hominems, mythunderstandings, promulgating of prejudice and positively affirming Gods non-existence without evidence then he is the pseudo-science blogger par excellence.[62]

PZ Myers on bestiality

PZ Myers said, "I don’t object to bestiality in a very limited set of specific conditions...".[63] When asked what conditions were acceptable for bestially to be morally acceptable, Myers was silent.[63]

See also: PZ Myers on bestiality and Atheism and bestiality and Evolutionary belief and bestiality and Atheism, academia and bestiality and Atheism and social intelligence

PZ Myers wrote about bestiality:

So, to answer clueless thick-skulled Christian idiot’s question, I don’t object to bestiality in a very limited set of specific conditions, but do not support it in any way.[63][64]

A Christian commented on Myers's statement:

If you are sensing that there is something amiss with a person stating he neither supports nor opposes bestiality, then you are more perceptive with regard to moral reasoning than PZ Myers is. Myers once stated his morality is based on feelings of empathy. In an interview he stated, "If I punched you in the face, you would feel bad and I would feel bad ..and that's where morality comes from." Ironically, Myers offers a cartoon that mocks plaintive logic, that is, logic based on feelings, which is exactly the same basis of morality Myers appealed to in his interview.

When I sent Myers an email asking him to clarify what "specific conditions" would make bestiality morally acceptable in his opinion, he declined to address my email and my second article on the subject. There is really only one likely scenario in which it seems Myers would accept bestiality, also known as zoophilia, and that is if it is apparent that the animal is not being harmed and if it is demonstrating some kind of approval, enjoyment or "consent" in the act. The problem for Myers here is quite simple. If nothing must be held sacred, then why should bestiality be considered acceptable only under certain conditions and not always? Why should animal rights be an issue if animal rights are not sacred? These are logical contradictions he needs to address. What is happening here is that Myers is revealing in his quote that he does in fact believe that some boundaries must be held sacred.[63]

Myers also wrote, "...over the years I’ve become something of a connoisseur of cephalopod porn…and I’m sorry to say that 99% of it is crap, expressing a total lack of comprehension of why cephalopods have sensual appeal."[65]

Atheist animal trainer objects to PZ Myers' comments about bestiality

On May 22, 2012, PZ Myers specifies under what conditions he thinks the practice of bestiality would be acceptable.[66]

On November 14, 2014, an atheist animal trainer wrote in response:

We now have the PZ Myers Humanist Guide to Bestiality:
  • 1. IF you are interested in having sex with an animal, AND;
  • 2. That animal is willing to have sex with you, AND;
  • 3. No real harm comes to the animal, AND;
  • 4. You can avoid social stigma by hiding your act;

>> THEN sex with an animal is ethical...

PZ Myers possesses numerous character flaws that make him ill-suited as an A/S/humanism spokesperson and representative: his explosive temper; his violence-tinged threats; his foul language; his preference for personal insults over reasoned debate; his propensity to smear and slander any & all who oppose him;..his willingness to abandon skepticism and science to serve the pomo constructs of radical feminism and social justice warriordom.

Of all these, nothing is more odious, repulsive, or damaging to the reputation of A/S & humanist activism, than Myers’ condoning of bestiality.[67]

Michael Nugent's commentary on PZ Myers' material about human/octopus sexual relations

On November 17, 2014, atheist Michael Nugent wrote:

PZ has several times written about and linked to pornography involving women and octopuses described as ‘hentai tentacle rape’. In one post, PZ wrote: “I know some people will be aghast at the exposed mammalian flesh and weird exploitation of women… but it’s got tentacles everywhere, and molluscs…” In another post, he wrote: “Although nothing beats a sea slug for that vulval feel, I’m afraid. Mmmm, Aplysia, if you weren’t so cold, I’d… ahem.”[68]

PZ Myers' daughter Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality

See also: Atheism and bestiality and Skeptic Skatje Myers' comments on bestiality

Skeptic Skatje Myers, the daughter of evolutionist and atheist PZ Myers describes herself as "atheist, agnostic, rationalist, complicated vegetarian (sans dairy and eggs mostly, avec dumpster diving, by-products, and ethical sources), existential and moral nihilist, social democrat”.[69]

On January 2, 2008 Christian apologist Vox Day wrote in an article entitled Atheist Dad of the Year:

If I were ever to have attacked atheism by arguing that on the rare occasions when atheists manage to successfully reproduce, their children would likely grow up possessing beliefs that are utterly immoral by Western moral norms and abhorrent to the average individual, many people would howl that I was unfairly engaging in baseless conjecture, regardless of the logic presented.

So, it's more than a little amusing to see PZ Myers angrily defending his daughter's public argument against anti-bestiality laws. Now, it's certainly the girl's right to advocate on behalf of whatever legal cause she feels is important to her, but this particular choice of subject really doesn't provide the most convincing evidence against the oft-repeated charge that atheists are hopelessly immoral. And if there's nothing rationally objectionable about the practice, then from whence comes this defensive paternal outrage?

The ironic truth is that Miss Myers is absolutely correct; once the basic concept of Natural Law is abandoned, there is no rational basis for banning anything from necrophilia to cannibalism other than a vague sense of "ickiness" inherited from preceding generations possessed of a more conventional morality.[70]

Skatje Myers, the daughter of atheist PZ Myers, wrote:

Sexual relationships between humans and animals come as such a shock to people, but it doesn’t to me. There can be very deep, meaningful relationships between humans and their pets...

That said, I remind you that my position isn’t based on my own personal wants. I just don’t see any reason to ban it other than the same reason things like homosexuality and sodomy were banned: it’s icky. I think it’s bad practice to put social taboos into legislature when no actual logical argument can be made against it.[71][72]

See also:

Skatje Myers on morality

On August 18, 2011, Skatje Myers wrote:

I’m a moral nihilist. I have no reason to believe that morality is anything other than preferences.

I have those preferences, of course — essentially it’s just intuitional leanings. Any need or desire to follow those leanings is purely for my own enjoyment. I decide what is right and wrong based on what I feel is right and wrong, and I follow them only because of a self-created obligation to myself. I demand that others follow the same “rules” I have for myself, because I want them to. It makes the world the way I want it to be.

The way I see it, every other system of morality is based on unjustifiable claims too, so why follow someone else’s invented ideas of right and wrong?[73]

Frethoughtblogs

See also: Freethoughtblogs and Internet atheism

Freethoughtblogs is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and Ed Brayton.

Web traffic of Freethoughtblogs

In 2016, Freethoughtblogs lost a considerable amount of global market share according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.


Freethoughtblogs is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and Ed Brayton. Alexa is a web traffic tracking company. In 2015 and 2016, Freethoughtblogs saw a large decrease in its Alexa ranking.

PZ Myers' commentary on the web traffic of AIG's ministry

In 2011, PZ Myers said that he had greater blog traffic than the Answers in Genesis website and that the Answers in Genesis (AIG) website had "pathetic" web traffic.[74] As of June 8, 2016, the Answers in Genesis website receives more web traffic than Freethoughtblogs.[75]

Banning of Thunderf00t from Freethoughtblogs

See also: Atheist factions

On July 13, 2012 produced a video criticizing PZ Myers involvement in his banning from Freethoughtblogs. The video accuses PZ Myers of a lack of integrity and engaging in censorship.[76]

Vox Day wrote that Thunderf00t's removal from Freethoughtblogs exemplified PZ Myers's unwillingness to intellectually engage his opponents and his lack of integrity.[77]

The issue which appeared to spark the contention was how to properly deal with the significant amount of misogny within the atheist community (see also: Atheism and women).[78][79]

Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs on social justice

In October 2014, the popular YouTube atheist Thunderf00t indicated that the bloggers at Freethoughtblogs 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.[80] Furthermore, he indicated that their attempt to make him a pariah within the atheist community had virtually no impact.[80]

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.[80]

Myers and prior unhealthy behavior before heart problems

See also: Atheism and obesity and Atheism and health

During his visit to the Creation Museum, PZ Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.VIDEO

A significant number of the founders of the New Atheism movement have engaged in unhealthy behaviors which have upon occasion caused them significant health problems (see: New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles).

In 2010, PZ Myers had health problems related to his heart.[81] Prior to his heart problem, Myers had issues with possessing excess weight (see: New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight).

On June 1, 2011, Myers posted a picture of himself and others on his blog and Myers appeared to no longer have issues with being overweight.[82] However, on February 13, 2013, a video was posted to YouTube entitled, Is church harmful? and Myers appeared to have put on weight subsequent to his June 1, 2011 picture.[83] In addition, a picture taken in 2014 features an overweight PZ Myers.[84]

Given his biological training and the many effective methods of losing weight that medical science, nutritional science and exercise science offer, there is no reason why Myers needs to possess excess weight.

PZ Myers' ironic speech at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention

See also: Atheism and brain function

At the 2010 Global atheist Convention, an overweight PZ Myers likened belief in God to a brain infection plus made the blanket statement that religion makes people stupid and/or do stupid stupid things.[85] According to medical science, being overweight causes brain impairment.[86]

PZ Myers and his wife's worldview

See also: Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God

Although PZ Myers has indicated that his daughter Skatje Myers is an atheist, Myers is silent on whether or not his wife believes in the existence of God.[70] Women are less likely to be atheists (see: Atheism and women).

See also

Comedy and satire:

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Mad Scientist City Pages, Volume 26 - Issue 1303, November 23, 2005 Cover story
  2. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/06/atheist-national-geographic-pz-myers/1
  3. Which Is the Real PZ Myers?, Evolution News and Views, Casey Luskin June 9, 2014 12:07 PM
  4. The increasingly delusional smears of PZ Myers by Michael Nugent
  5. The LBJ legend and my email to PZ Myers by Michael Nugent on September 19, 2014
  6. Atheist Ireland publicly dissociates itself from the harmful and hateful rhetoric of PZ Myers by Michael Nugent, April 7, 2015
  7. Reflections on the skeptic and atheist movements By Massimo Pigliucci Scientia Salon, Posted: May 13, 2015
  8. PZ Myers and the Little Shop of Hatred by Michael Nugent, 2015
  9. Robin Williams brings joy to the hearts of journalists and politicians once again
  10. On Robin Williams's Death, a Revealing Dispute Between Atheist-Evolutionist Spokesmen
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams
  12. P.Z. Myers is (Surprise!) Unmoved By Suicide of “Wealthy White” Robin Williams, Friendly Atheist blog
  13. It must have been an act of god, Posted by PZ Myers on April 21, 2008
  14. The Atheist Disillusionment - PZ Myers, September 27, 2014
  15. YouTube, where atheism goes to rot
  16. 16.0 16.1 in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
  17. 1-800-FLOWERS, for when you absolutely don’t care about getting a terrific experience by PZ Myers
  18. "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)
  19. http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/08/16/children-and-the-creation-museum/
  20. "A firebrand visits Creation Museum" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
  21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM
  22. http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/battle.html
  23. Chronology of misrepresentations and smears in the atheist movement by PZ Myers and others by Michael Nugent on November 4, 2014
  24. 24.0 24.1 Comes a Horseman by PZ Myers • 13 October 2009
  25. PZ Myers, Animal Lover, Atheism Neat by Matt Cavanaugh
  26. http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys
  27. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html
  28. Freethoughtblogs - Quantcast
  29. The socially autistic atheist by Vox Day, August 02, 2007
  30. A lesson in atheist social autism by Vox Day, August 13, 2014
  31. Atheists and Daddy issues by Vox Day, August 23, 2012
  32. PZ admits he's wrong by Theodore Beale, Friday, August 29, 2014
  33. Interpreting Asperger's Test Results
  34. http://www.atheistrev.com/2008/03/pz-myers-on-eliminating-religion.html
  35. http://web.archive.org/web/20070420142719/http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/perspective/
  36. Left or right, religion and politics don’t mix
  37. I’m surrounded! Posted by PZ Myers on July 11, 2007
  38. How do you save small town charm?, Posted by PZ Myers on July 18, 2007
  39. 39.0 39.1 http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-emotively-vociferous-intellectually-mute
  40. http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=1489
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown
  42. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5Y3VoBeVQ
  43. Running, running by Vox Day
  44. Can one dodge a dodger?
  45. The Woman Problem
  46. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHiZjOH1NmQ
  47. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/science/21expelledw.html
  48. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYAblaZmogA
  49. I always aim to misbehave
  50. 50.0 50.1 http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 http://www.evolutionnews.org/2010/11/pz_myers_on_abortion040971.html
  52. 52.0 52.1 http://www.examiner.com/christian-apologetics-in-albuquerque/pz-myers-best-reason-for-rejecting-atheism-murdered-babies-are-just-meat
  53. Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name by Adam Lee, The Guardian, September 18, 2014
  54. 'Body Of Christ' Snatched From Church, Held Hostage By UCF Student, July 5, 2008 [1]
  55. 'Body Of Christ" Returned To Church After Student Receives Email Threats, July 7, 2008 [2]
  56. PZ MYERS HATEMAIL
  57. http://discoverthefaith.com/2008/07/26/update-on-professor-myers-desecration-of-eucharist/
  58. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html
  59. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/071608-woman-fired-over-death-threat.html?page=2)
  60. Stop it now. please
  61. Mail dump
  62. http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-contra-scienceblogs
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life
  64. The “objective morality” gotcha
  65. Cephaloporn, a critique, PZ. Myers, Freethoughtblogs
  66. The “objective morality” gotcha, PZ Myers, May 22, 2012
  67. PZ Myers, Animal Lover
  68. “Do your belly dance.” “Get off my stage. I’ve got work to do.” What if PZ Myers judged others’ sexism as he judges himself? by Michael Nugent on November 17, 2014
  69. Skatje Myers on The Separation of Church and State
  70. 70.0 70.1 Atheist Dad of the Year
  71. Just when you think Slimy Sal couldn’t sink any lower - Skatje Myers, Daughter of atheist PZ Myers - in blog comments section of PZ Myers' blog post
  72. Skatje Myers' Website is currently under construction, RSS feed - Lacrimae Rerum,blog of Skatje Myers, blog article - Zoophilia Oct 2, 2007
  73. Skatje Myers' website is currently under construction, Morality by Skaje Myers
  74. Ken Ham brags about his websites
  75. Creationist Ken Ham vs. atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers
  76. FreeThoughtBlogs and PZ Myers
  77. Vox Day on Freethoughtblogs
  78. Thunderf00t, check your email - PZ Myers
  79. Thunderf00t on how to handle misogny in the atheist community
  80. 80.0 80.1 80.2 Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism
  81. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/thats_not_a_heart_its_a_flaili.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogs%2Fpharyngula+%28Pharyngula%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
  82. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/06/the_final_tally_on_the_camp_qu.php
  83. Is church harmful? - Michael & Rhonda Jones, PZ Myers, Published on Feb 10, 2013 by YouTube account kaine diatheke
  84. PZ Myers, FCD, Maureen Brian, FCD, & Richard Carter, FCD
  85. PZ Myers - Global Atheist Convention 2010