Irenaeus, Siteadmin, Check users, oversight, Administrators
351,811
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: + + + +
→Infighting within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism
Jacques Rousseau wrote in the ''Daily Maverick'': "[[Elevatorgate]]..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2011-07-13-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-rip-my-soul Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul]</ref> An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of [[Atheism|Atheist]] positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain Atheist factions."<ref>[http://www.atheism-analyzed.net/The%20Reasoning%20Atheist.htm Atheism Analyzed]</ref> Prior to the Elevatorgate incident, ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine made the observation that atheists tend to be quarrelsome, socially challenged men (see also: [[Atheism and women]]).<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2007/08/socially-autistic-atheist.html The socially autistic atheist]</ref>
Jacques Rousseau wrote in the ''Daily Maverick'': "[[Elevatorgate]]..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2011-07-13-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-rip-my-soul Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul]</ref> An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of [[Atheism|Atheist]] positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain Atheist factions."<ref>[http://www.atheism-analyzed.net/The%20Reasoning%20Atheist.htm Atheism Analyzed]</ref> Prior to the Elevatorgate incident, ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine made the observation that atheists tend to be quarrelsome, socially challenged men (see also: [[Atheism and women]]).<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2007/08/socially-autistic-atheist.html The socially autistic atheist]</ref>
== Infighting within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism ==
== Infighting within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism ==
[[Paul Kurtz]] is an [[atheism|atheist]] [[philosophy|philosopher]] who formerly taught at the State University of NY at Buffalo. Dr. Paul Kurtz founded the modern [[secular humanism]] movement which is a form of philosophical skepticism. In addition, he also founded the organization the Center for Inquiry which focuses on promoting secular humanism. In 2009, Dr. Kurtz experienced the humiliation of being stripped of 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> Dr. Kurtz described this humiliating event as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>
Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the [[secular humanism]] 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]] and [[Atheist factions]]). [[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> Dr. Kurtz described this humiliating event as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>
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][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>
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][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>