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[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|PZ Myers

[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|PZ Myers

 

 

 

<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>

'''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>

''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:

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...

== 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>

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>

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]]),

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>}}

{{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>}}

{{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>}}

== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ==

== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ==

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>

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>}}

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  ==

{{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]].

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]]

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.

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>]]

[[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].

''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]].  

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]]:  

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.

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" />}}

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" />}}

== PZ Myers on abortion ==

== PZ Myers on abortion ==

[[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>http://jme.bmj.com/content/6/1/7.abstract</ref>]]

[[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]]  

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]]:

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>}}

{{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" />

== 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>

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>

== 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>]]

[[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]]  

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>}}

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:

[[File:Freethoughtblogs alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|[[Freethoughtblogs]] is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and [[Ed Brayton]].  

[[File:Freethoughtblogs alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|[[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.]]  

[[Alexa]] is a web traffic tracking company. In 2015 and 2016, Freethoughtblogs saw a large decrease in its Alexa ranking.]]  

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

=== Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs on social justice ===

=== Thunderf00t on the impact of Freethoughtblogs on social justice ===

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 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>[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 name="youtube.com"/>

== Myers and prior unhealthy behavior before heart problems ==

== Myers and prior unhealthy behavior before heart problems ==

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

''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.<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]]).

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]]).

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Essay: Atheists' meetings|Atheists' meetings]]

*[[Essay: Atheists' meetings|Atheists' meetings]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/pz-myers PZ Myers - Christian rebuttals] by True Free Thinker

*[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