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[[File:Paul Kurtz.jpg|thumbnail|right|160px|[[Paul Kurtz]] is considered by some to be the founder the secular humanism movement<ref>[http://www.pointofinquiry.org/paul_kurtz_the_new_atheism_and_secular_humanism/ The New Atheism and Secular Humanism]. Center for Inquiry]. 19 October 2009. "Paul Kurtz, considered by many the father of the secular humanist movement, is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo."</ref> Secular humanism is a form of [[philosophical skepticism]].]]

[[File:Paul Kurtz.jpg|thumbnail|right|160px|[[Paul Kurtz]] is considered by some to be the founder the secular humanism movement<ref name="pointofinquiry.org">[http://www.pointofinquiry.org/paul_kurtz_the_new_atheism_and_secular_humanism/ The New Atheism and Secular Humanism]. Center for Inquiry]. 19 October 2009. "Paul Kurtz, considered by many the father of the secular humanist movement, is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo."</ref> Secular humanism is a form of [[philosophical skepticism]].]]

'''Secular humanism''' is [[humanism]] that is [[Atheism|atheistic]] in nature. It is a philosophy which holds that human beings are the most important figures, and that social problems are best solved without the involvement of religious doctrine. People who are secular humanists purport to focus on ways to better themselves and human beings as a whole.  The American Humanist Association's motto on the main page of their website is "good without a God".<ref>[http://americanhumanist.org/ American Humanist Association website]</ref> Secular humanists, like atheists as a whole, are often viewed as self-centered (see: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] and [[Atheism and hedonism]] and [[Moral failures of the atheist population]] and [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]).  

'''Secular humanism''' is [[humanism]] that is [[Atheism|atheistic]] in nature. It is a philosophy which holds that human beings are the most important figures, and that social problems are best solved without the involvement of religious doctrine. People who are secular humanists purport to focus on ways to better themselves and human beings as a whole.  The American Humanist Association's motto on the main page of their website is "good without a God".<ref>[http://americanhumanist.org/ American Humanist Association website]</ref> Secular humanists, like atheists as a whole, are often viewed as self-centered (see: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] and [[Atheism and hedonism]] and [[Moral failures of the atheist population]] and [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]).  

One of the goals of secular humanism was to make atheism more humane, but the atheist population, including its secular humanist faction which has engaged in bitter infighting for years, has fallen significantly short of this standard of behavior (see: [[Atheism, social justice and hypocrisy]]).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  

One of the goals of secular humanism was to make atheism more humane, but the atheist population, including its secular humanist faction which has engaged in bitter infighting for years, has fallen significantly short of this standard of behavior (see: [[Atheism, social justice and hypocrisy]]).<ref name="youtube.com">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  

== Infighting within the secular humanism faction of atheism ==

== Infighting within the secular humanism faction of atheism ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]

''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]

[[Paul Kurtz]] is considered by some to be the founder the secular humanism movement<ref>[http://www.pointofinquiry.org/paul_kurtz_the_new_atheism_and_secular_humanism/ The New Atheism and Secular Humanism]. Center for Inquiry]. 19 October 2009. "Paul Kurtz, considered by many the father of the secular humanist movement, is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo."</ref>. Paul Kurtz was an atheist [[philosophy|philosopher]] who formerly taught at the State University of NY at Buffalo. In addition, he also founded the organization the [[Center for Inquiry]] which focuses on promoting secular humanism. In 2009, Dr. Kurtz lost his leadership position at the Center for Inquiry.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>  

[[Paul Kurtz]] is considered by some to be the founder the secular humanism movement.<ref name="pointofinquiry.org"/>  Paul Kurtz was an atheist [[philosophy|philosopher]] who formerly taught at the State University of NY at Buffalo. In addition, he also founded the organization the [[Center for Inquiry]] which focuses on promoting secular humanism. In 2009, Dr. Kurtz lost his leadership position at the Center for Inquiry.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>  

Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the modern secular humanism [[atheist factions|faction of atheism]] concerning how militant the movement should be which primarily arose post [[New Atheism]] movement which is a more militant form of atheism. (see also: [[Militant atheism]]).  [[Paul Kurtz]] is against the secular humanism movement becoming more militant but some newer followers of secular humanism disagree with Kurtz.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>   

Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the modern secular humanism [[atheist factions|faction of atheism]] concerning how militant the movement should be which primarily arose post [[New Atheism]] movement which is a more militant form of atheism. (see also: [[Militant atheism]]).  [[Paul Kurtz]] is against the secular humanism movement becoming more militant but some newer followers of secular humanism disagree with Kurtz.<ref name="godless"/>   

=== Kurtz's ouster from the Center of Inquiry leadership position ===

=== Kurtz's ouster from the Center of Inquiry leadership position ===

On October 10, 2010, a contentious exchange between members of the [[Secular Humanism]] faction of atheism founded by [[Paul Kurtz]] and the atheist Ron Lindsay was caught on tape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hniP6Ivr5g Video - Part one] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Video - Part 2]   

On October 10, 2010, a contentious exchange between members of the [[Secular Humanism]] faction of atheism founded by [[Paul Kurtz]] and the atheist Ron Lindsay was caught on tape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hniP6Ivr5g Video - Part one] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Video - Part 2]   

During the exchange Ron Lindsay said that infighting has been occurring within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism for years.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> A Paul Kurtz supporter said that Kurtz was censored by Ron Lindsay and his supporters and Kurtz was driven out of the organization that he founded (Center for Inquiry).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Lindsay claimed, however, that Kurtz voluntarily resigned from the organization he founded and Kurtz was never censored. Furthermore, Lindsay said that Kurtz's idea of a "planetary federation" was impractical. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Kurtz countered that he was never allowed to publish why he resigned from the organization and that he was censored by the organization that he founded.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  

During the exchange Ron Lindsay said that infighting has been occurring within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism for years.<ref name="youtube.com"/> A Paul Kurtz supporter said that Kurtz was censored by Ron Lindsay and his supporters and Kurtz was driven out of the organization that he founded (Center for Inquiry).<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Lindsay claimed, however, that Kurtz voluntarily resigned from the organization he founded and Kurtz was never censored. Furthermore, Lindsay said that Kurtz's idea of a "planetary federation" was impractical.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>  Kurtz countered that he was never allowed to publish why he resigned from the organization and that he was censored by the organization that he founded.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>  

Dr. Kurtz described the events surrounding the loss of his leadership position as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>

Dr. Kurtz described the events surrounding the loss of his leadership position as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless" />

=== Schism within the Sunday Assembly atheist church movement ===

=== Schism within the Sunday Assembly atheist church movement ===

The Sunday Assembly "atheist church" movement was founded in 2013 by the secular humanists and comedians Pippa Evans and Sanderson Jones.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/06/atheist-church-split_n_4550456.html Atheist Church Split: Sunday Assembly And Godless Revival's 'Denominational Chasm'], Huffington Post, 2014</ref>  In 2014, it was reported that there was a schism in the movement as far as whether or not they should use the word "atheist" in their movement and/or whether they should just cater to atheists..<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/06/atheist-church-split_n_4550456.html Atheist Church Split: Sunday Assembly And Godless Revival's 'Denominational Chasm'], Huffington Post, 2014</ref>

The Sunday Assembly "atheist church" movement was founded in 2013 by the secular humanists and comedians Pippa Evans and Sanderson Jones.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/06/atheist-church-split_n_4550456.html Atheist Church Split: Sunday Assembly And Godless Revival's 'Denominational Chasm'], Huffington Post, 2014</ref>  In 2014, it was reported that there was a schism in the movement as far as whether or not they should use the word "atheist" in their movement and/or whether they should just cater to atheists.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>

Dr. [[Sam Harris]] is one of the founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement. [[Sam Harris]] is quite aware of the stigma surrounding [[atheism]] and has even advocated that atheists no longer call themselves atheists.<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, Dr. Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref>

Dr. [[Sam Harris]] is one of the founders of the [[New Atheism]] movement. [[Sam Harris]] is quite aware of the stigma surrounding [[atheism]] and has even advocated that atheists no longer call themselves atheists.<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007).  [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"].  News21.  Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, Dr. Harris has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref name="Harris"/>

== Paul Kurt's lack of a legacy ==

== Paul Kurt's lack of a legacy ==

According to Compete.com Paul Kurtz's website had 600 unique visitors as of March of 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/09/paul-kurtz-another-atheist-failure.html Paul Kurtz is another atheist failure without a legacy]</ref>  In addition, the organization that he founded and was forced to resign from, the Center for Inquiry, has had a precipitous decline in their organization's website traffic in 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/09/paul-kurtz-another-atheist-failure.html Paul Kurtz is another atheist failure without a legacy]</ref>

According to Compete.com Paul Kurtz's website had 600 unique visitors as of March 2012.<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/09/paul-kurtz-another-atheist-failure.html Paul Kurtz is another atheist failure without a legacy]</ref>  In addition, the organization that he founded and was forced to resign from, the Center for Inquiry, has had a precipitous decline in their organization's website traffic in 2012.<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com"/>

== PZ Myers: Humanist awards and his bestiality comments and other ill-behavior ==

== PZ Myers: Humanist awards and his bestiality comments and other ill-behavior ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]] and [[PZ Myers on bestiality]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]] and [[PZ Myers on bestiality]]

[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[PZ Myers]] declared, "...I don’t object to 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><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/05/22/the-objective-morality-gotcha/ The “objective morality” gotcha]</ref>

[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[PZ Myers]] declared, "...I don’t object to 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><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/05/22/the-objective-morality-gotcha/ The “objective morality” gotcha]</ref>

 

<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> ]]

[[Bestiality]] is the act of engaging in sexual relations with an animal.

[[Bestiality]] is the act of engaging in sexual relations with an animal.

''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...