Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Republican Atheists

2019-12-25T07:43:32Z

Republicanatheists: I removed the quote because it is not affiliated with the organization Republican Atheists

'''Republican Atheists''' is a "group for those who identify as [[Atheism|Atheist]], [[Agnosticism|Agnostic]], [[Secular]] and others who are registered Republicans or take interest in the [[Republican Party]]."<ref>[https://republicanatheists.com/ Republican Atheists website]</ref> Their goal is to build awareness of atheist presence in the Republican Party.<ref>[https://republicanatheists.com/ Republican Atheists website]</ref>

The Republican Party is significantly more religious than the [[Democratic Party]] which is its chief rival political party. However, within Democratic Party black Americans and Latinos are significant segments of their political party and these two groups are very religious (see: [[Black atheism]] and [[Atheism and Latino Americans]]). [[Evangelical Christians]] tend to support the Republican Party. Individuals who are adherents of [[liberal Christianity]] and Catholicism and individuals who are secular voters tend to support the Democratic Party. At the same time, many devout Catholics, especially those who are [[pro-life]], support the Republican Party.

== Atheist Hemant Mehta on the Republican Atheists organization ==

*[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/09/25/republican-atheists-group-celebrates-congressman-who-trashed-atheists/ “Republican Atheists” Group Celebrates Congressman Who Trashed Atheists] by [[Hemant Mehta]]

== Quote ==

== See also ==

*[[Atheist organizations]]

*[[Secular right]]

*[[Atheism and politics]]

*[[RINO]]

*[[Moderate Republican]]

*[[Log Cabin Republicans]]

== External website ==

*[https://republicanatheists.com/ Republican Atheists website]

== References ==
<references/>
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Atheist Organizations]]
[[Category:Politics]]

Atheist organizations

2019-01-11T16:58:42Z

Republicanatheists: Position change

Dr. J. Gordon Melton said about the [[atheist movement]] (organized atheism) that [[atheism]] is not a movement which tends to create community, but in the last few years there has been some growth of organized atheism.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0i4kuN9XSc Baylor ISR- J. Gordon Melton - End of Religion? (May 5, 2015)]</ref> For example, atheist organizations are focusing on creating atheist groups on colleges and high schools.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po_vxm-BWak Where does the Secular movement go from here?: Panel Discussion at Reason in the Rock 2013], YouTube video</ref>

At the same time, some of the larger atheist organizations have faced internal dissension and fundraising problems (See: [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheist organizations and fundraising]]).

There has also been increased dissension within the atheist movement.
Numerous atheists have declared that the "atheist movement is dead" or that it is dying (see: [[Decline of the atheist movement]])<ref>
*[https://freethoughtblogs.com/reasoner/2017/10/21/the-atheism-movement-dead-or-alive/ The “Atheism Movement:” Dead or Alive?], [[Freethought Blogs]]
*[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2017/11/seth-andrews-keeps-hearing-reports-of.html Atheist activist Seth Andrews keeps seeing reports on social media and the media that the atheist movement is dying], ''Examining Atheism''
*[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2017/10/now-that-that-poseur-atheist-aron-ra.html Atheist Aron Ra indicates the atheist movement is dead. Now that that Aron Ra has surrendered....], ''[[Examining Atheism]]''
*[http://www.atheistrev.com/2013/12/the-day-atheist-movement-died.html The Day the Atheist Movement Died] by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
*[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal destroying the atheist movement], [[Jen McCreight]], Twitter</ref>

== List of atheist/nontheist organizations ==

Below is a list of [[Atheism|atheist]]/nontheist organizations.

*[[Freedom From Religion Foundation]]

*[[American Atheists]]

*[[Center for Inquiry]]

*[[Secular Student Alliance]]

*[[American Humanist Association]]

*[[Foundation Beyond Belief]]

*[[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science]]

*[[Atheist Alliance International]]

*[[Camp Quest]]

*The Brights' Net is an organization associated with the [[Brights Movement]].

*[[The Satanic Temple]]

*[[Creativity Movement]]

*[[We Are Atheism]]

*Republican Atheists<ref>https://republicanatheists.com/</ref>

__TOC__

== Leading American atheist organizations lean to the left politically ==

According to [[Republican]] Atheists' President Lauren Ell, the leading atheist organizations such as [[American Atheists]], [[Freedom From Religion Foundation]] and [[Secular Student Alliance]] lean [[leftism|left]] politically.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9JKS-HBqms Atheist and humanist organizations are prioritizing left-leaning political views above all else]</ref>

== Atheist leaders and misogyny ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and leadership]] and [[Atheism and sexism]]
[[File:JAMES RANDI.jpg|thumbnail|170px|right|[[James Randi]] ]]
[[James Randi]] is a leader within the atheist community. Brian Thompson, former James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) Outreach Coordinator, wrote:
{{cquote|But I no longer identify with this community of benevolent know-it-alls, because not all of them are the best folks in the world. In fact, a good percentage of the top ten worst humans I’ve ever met are prominent members of the skeptics’ club. They’re dishonest, mean-spirited, narcissistic, [[misogyny|misogynistic]]. Pick a personality flaw, and I can probably point you to someone who epitomizes it. And that person has probably had a speaking slot at a major skeptical conference.

I grew particularly disgusted with the boys’ club attitude I saw among skeptical leaders and luminaries. The kind of attitude that’s dismissive of women, sexually predatory, and downright gross. When I first started going to skeptical conferences as a fresh-faced know-it-all, I started hearing things about people I once admired. Then I started seeing things myself. Then I got a job with the JREF, and the pattern continued.<ref>Myers, P. Z. (March 31, 2014). [http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/03/31/when-will-this-situation-improve/ "When will this situation improve?"]. Freethoughtblogs.com/Pharyngula.</ref>}}

== Token efforts to extend racial minorities leadership positions in atheist organizations ==

''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Atheism and leadership]]

On October 9, 2014, the atheist Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson declared:
{{cquote|Despite frequent tokenistic calls for “diversity” within the “movement,” there are virtually no people of color in executive management positions in any of the major secular, atheist, or [[Secular Humanism|Humanist]] organizations —notable exceptions being Debbie Goddard of Center for Inquiry and Maggie Ardiente of American Humanist Association. People of color are constantly bombarded with claims of separatism, reverse discrimination, and “self-segregation” when they point to the absence of social justice, anti-racist community organizing, coalition-building, and visibility among secular organizations. After the Washington Post article, the vitriol and denialism among the “We are All Africans” white atheists was off the chain. This illustrates yet again that sticking a few of us on conference panels or secular boards is nothing but cheap appeasement.<ref>[http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/10/09/atheism-social-justice-sikivu-hutchinson-first-people-color-beyond-faith-conference/ Atheism and social justice: Sikivu Hutchinson on the first People of Color Beyond Faith conference], Chris Stedman, Religious Service News, Oct 9, 2014</ref>}}
=== Sikivu Hutchinson's criticism of RDF and Center for Inquiry merger ===
[[File:Skivu Hutchinson speaking at Center For Inquiry.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Sikivu Hutchinson]] speaking ath the [[Center for Inquiry]]. ]]

''See also:'' [[Center for Inquiry]]

Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson wrote:
{{cquote|The recent merger of the secular organization [[Center for Inquiry]] (CFI) and the [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science|Richard Dawkins Foundation]] (RDF) has been dubbed atheism's supergroup moment. Acknowledging the two organizations' outsized presence in the atheist world, Religion News Service acidly declared it a "royal wedding". The partnership, which gives Richard Dawkins a seat on the CFI board, smacks of a vindication of Dawkins' toxic, reactionary brand of [http://www.salon.com/2013/08/10/richard_dawkins_does_it_again_new_atheisms_islamophobia_problem/ damn-all-them-culturally-backward-Western-values-hating- Muslims] New Atheism. As one of the most prominent global secular organizations, CFI's [http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/corporate_governance all-white board] looks right at home with RDF's [https://richarddawkins.net/boardandstaff/ lily white board] and staff.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sikivu-hutchinson/atheismsowhite-atheists-o_b_9078736.html #AtheismSoWhite: Atheists of Color Rock Social Justice] by Sikivu Hutchinson</ref>}}

The [[secular humanism|secular humanist]] document Human Manifesto II, which was written in 1973 by [[Paul Kurtz]] and Edwin H. Wilson, decried racism and it declared:
{{cquote|The beginnings of police states, even in democratic societies, widespread government espionage, and other abuses of power by military, political, and industrial elites, and the continuance of unyielding racism, all present a different and difficult social outlook. In various societies, the demands of women and minority groups for equal rights effectively challenge our generation.<ref>[http://americanhumanist.org/humanism/humanist_manifesto_ii Humanist Manifesto II]</ref>}}

== Atheist leaders and arrogance ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Atheist movement]]
[[File:PZ Myers at Skepticon 7.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]] ]]
The atheist [[PZ Myers]] wrote: "But see, this is why the atheist movement can’t have leaders. The ones we’ve got, informally, all seem to think they’re like gods and popes, infallible and unquestionable, and that normal, healthy, productive criticism within the movement is all a conspiracy to dethrone them."<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/01/16/the-delicate-ego-of-mr-michael-shermer/ The delicate ego of Mr Michael Shermer] by [[PZ Myers]], 16 January 2013</ref>

John W. Loftus, one of the more prominent atheists in the atheist community, cites John Draper (a Canadian atheist blogger), saying about prominent atheist PZ Myers: "According to PZ you either agree with him or you are the scum of the earth. If anyone is giving atheists a bad reputation it's PZ - he shows no tolerance or respect for anyone other than himself."<ref>[http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2012/07/can-pz-myers-change-his-ways-should-he.html Can PZ Myers Change His Ways? Should He?] By John W. Loftus at 7/30/2012</ref>

== Atheist activist Lee Moore: Donations to atheist organizations are down due to in-fighting within the atheist movement ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist organizations and fundraising]] and [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social skills]]

In 2017, the atheist activist Lee Moore declared:
{{Cquote|If you look at the major atheist groups right now, like the national groups, the ones that are doing the real activist work... They are not bringing in the kind of donations they used to. Most of them are starved for cash. They're downsizing left and right. Because people aren't just giving like they used to. And I talked to a lot of the major donors out there and they said, "Well, we're kind of tired of seeing the atheist community just fight amongst itself and not really get anything done. We'd rather not give money if we don't think it's going to go somewhere."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvG6LKUbOdk Lee Moore and Steve Shives Talk About the Future of the Atheist Movement],
- video quote comes 21 minutes and 13 seconds into the video</ref>}}

== Atheist movement ==

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

=== Blair Scott about atheist infighting with the atheist movement ===

''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and sociability]]
[[File:David Silverman Reason Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[David Silverman]] is a former president of the [[American Atheists]] organization.]]
[[Blair Scott]] served on the [[American Atheists]] board of directors. Mr. Scott formerly served as a State Director for the [[American Atheists]] organization in the state of [[Alabama]]. On December 1, 2012 he quit his post as a director of outreach for the American Atheist due to infighting within the American atheist movement.<ref>[http://news.atheists.org/2012/12/01/an-open-letter-from-blair-scott/ An Open Letter from Blair Scott]</ref>

Mr. Blair wrote:
{{cquote|I have spent the last week mulling over what I want to do at this point in the movement. I’m tired of the in-fighting: at every level. I am especially tired of allowing myself to get sucked into it and engaging in the very behavior that is irritating..me.<ref>[http://news.atheists.org/2012/12/01/an-open-letter-from-blair-scott/ An Open Letter from Blair Scott]</ref>}}

== Sunday Assembly atheist church movement ==

''See also:'' [[Atheists and church attendance]]

The Sunday Assembly atheist church movement was founded in 2013 by the secular humanists and comedians Pippa Evans and Sanderson Jones.<ref>[https://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>[https://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>

== Atheist organizations: Church-state/creationism issues - poor largely ignored ==

See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] and [[Atheism, social justice and hypocrisy]]
[[File:Beggar.jpg|thumb|right|205px|A child in [[Thailand]] where the nontheistic form of [[Buddhism]] called the Theravada school of Buddhism is prevalent.

A comprehensive study by [[Harvard University]] professor Robert Putnam found that religious people are more charitable than their irreligious counterparts.<ref name="Burke Campbell">Multiple references:
*Burke, Daniel, Religion News Service (May 13, 2009). [http://web.archive.org/web/20130310113024/http://www.pewforum.org/Religion-News/Religious-people-make-better-citizens-study-says.aspx "Religious people make better citizens, study says"]. Pew Research Forum. Archived on March 10, 2013 by Internet Archive. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
*Campbell, David and Putnam, Robert (November 14, 2010). [https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-11-15-column15_ST_N.htm "Religious people are 'better neighbors'"]. USA Today website. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.</ref>

In the United States, [[per capita]] [[atheism|atheists]] and [[agnosticism|agnostics]] in America give significantly less to charity than [[theism|theists]] even when church giving is not counted for theists. See: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] ]]
In June 2014, Sikivu Hutchinson wrote in the ''Washington Post'' that atheist organizations generally focus on church/state separation and creationism issues and not the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref> Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations do offer significant help to poor African-Americans.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref>

Also, according to a video posted at [[Freethought Blogs]] storefront churches provide assistance to local residents including women, and this partly explains the dearth of Hispanic and African-American women atheists in America (Atheists give less to charity than Christians. See: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/08/06/sikivu-ophelia-and-rebecca-who-says-atheism-lacks-women-stars/ Sikivu, Ophelia, and Rebecca — who says atheism lacks women stars?]</ref>

In 2014, the atheist Chris Hall wrote in an article which was published by ''Salon'' magazine and ''Alternet'':
{{cquote|Direct challenges to racism and sexism haven’t traditionally been the domain of the large organizations like [[American Atheists]] or the Secular Coalition for America. It’s been far more typical to fight incursions against separation of church and state or educate against pseudoscience like [[homeopathy]].<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/06/05/forget_christopher_hitchens_atheism_in_america_is_undergoing_a_radical_change_partner/ Forget Christopher Hitchens: Atheism in America is undergoing a radical change] by Chris Hall, ''Salon'' magazine, Thursday, Jun 5, 2014 12:25 PM UTC (originally published in Alternet)</ref>}}

== Lack of significant global outreach by atheist organizations ==

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Global Christianity]] and [[Evangelism|Christian evangelism]] and [[Atheism and apathy]]

[[File:FMSC Distribution Partner in Malawi.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|The Christian relief organization Feed My Starving Children has a distribution partner in [[Malawi]], Africa. In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.<ref>[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa]</ref>

In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref>

Western World atheists and East Asian atheists have not engaged in a significant amount of global outreach.]]
The former [[Soviet Union]] had a worldwide expansionist policy as far as spreading atheistic communism.<ref>''America Coming to Terms: The Vietnam Legacy'' By Nguyen Anh Tuan, page 82</ref> The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a spike in religious affiliation, both in [[Russia]] and in Eastern Europe.<ref>[Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020] by Michael W. Chapman, CNS News, July 24, 2013 - 2:18 PM</ref>

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

The atheists in the [[Western World]] and East Asia have not had significant outreaches to spread atheism throughout the world. Historically, Christians have made great evangelism efforts to reach every people group across the earth. In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref> Doing overseas evangelism/outreaches, often requires significant hardships/persecution and Western atheists and East Asian atheists have been unwilling to endure such hardships in order to spread atheistic ideology (see: [[Atheism and hedonism]]).

In the [[United States]], atheists are in the minority (See: [[Atheist Population]]). And in the United States and [[Canada]], the general population looks very unfavorably on atheists (see: [[Views on atheists]]). In the United States/Canada, atheists are generally white.

== Atheist leaders and polyamory ==

On June 14, 2012, an article entitled ''[[Atheism and leadership|Atheist leaders]] and immoral relationships'' published by an advocate of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] declared:
{{cquote|The website ''Submitted to a Candid World'' is written by an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and the website was praised by the prominent [[atheism|atheist]] [[PZ Myers]] in the past.

On April 20, 2012 an article appeared in ''Submitted to a Candid World'' which declared:

'Several of my close friends — coincidentally, all extremely intelligent, math/science oriented, and leaders in the freethought/rationality/atheist communities — find themselves practicing and promoting an arrangement they term “[[polyamory]].” Essentially, this describes a post-jealousy, highly rationalized state where participants date each other, and several others simultaneously...

In the ideal polyamorous relationship, one man is seriously “dating” several women, each of whom is in turn dating several men.'<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}

The article ''Atheist leaders and immoral relationships'' further declares:
{{cquote|Several leaders of the "freethought"/atheist community are practicing and promoting polyamory. This is not going to help the poor reputation that atheism already has among the public. The [[Mormon]]s promoted [[bigamy]] for a while and later retracted their position due to the public outrage.

Of course, atheist leaders engaging in and promoting practices such as polyamory is one of the many reasons why atheism has such a bad reputation in the world.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}

For more information please see: [http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]

=== Amanda Metskas, August Brunsman and polyamory ===

[[Camp Quest]] is the first residential summer camp in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway designed specifically for the children of [[Atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[secular humanism|secular humanists]] and others who hold a [[Philosophical naturalism|naturalistic worldview]].

[[Richard Carrier]] reported in 2016 that Amanda Metskas, the national Executive Director of Camp Quest, are dating and "she and her husband, August Brunsman, are publicly [[Polyamory|polyamorous]]."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/xK0h6#selection-5565.61-5589.301 Richard Carrier quote]</ref>

August Brunsman her polyamorous husband is the Executive Director of the [[Secular Student Alliance]]. Carrier was a speaker for the [[Secular Student Alliance]] when he was accused of sexual harassment.<ref>[http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/28009/ Popularizer of social-justice atheism can’t believe he’s accused of sexually harassing students]</ref><ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref>

== Atheist organizations and fundraising ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist fundraising vs. religious fundraising]]

Religious organizations are far outpacing atheist organizations when it comes to fundraising (see: [[Atheist fundraising vs. religious fundraising]] and [[Atheism and charity]]),

=== Atheist nonprofit scandals ===

See: [[Atheist nonprofit scandals]]

== Communist Party of China ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Asian atheism]] and [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Growth of Christianity in China]]
[[Image:Hgdutyu6.png|right|thumb|200px|Flag of the Communist Party of China]]
In 1955, [[China|Chinese]] communist leader Zhou Enlai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2014, the [[Communist Party of China]] reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>
*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism], ''New American'', 2014
*[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>

In 2016, the ''International Business Times'' reported:
{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

There is growing persecution of Christians by the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China]</ref>

== Communist Party of the Soviet Union ==

See: [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] and [[Atheism and communism]]

== See also ==

*[[Atheism and loneliness]]

*[[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence]]

*[[Antitheism and antisocial behavior]]

*[[Atheist cults]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
[[Category:Atheist Organizations]]
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Agnosticism]]

Atheist organizations

2019-01-09T22:01:58Z

Republicanatheists: Added a reputable atheist organization

Dr. J. Gordon Melton said about the [[atheist movement]] (organized atheism) that [[atheism]] is not a movement which tends to create community, but in the last few years there has been some growth of organized atheism.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0i4kuN9XSc Baylor ISR- J. Gordon Melton - End of Religion? (May 5, 2015)]</ref> For example, atheist organizations are focusing on creating atheist groups on colleges and high schools.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po_vxm-BWak Where does the Secular movement go from here?: Panel Discussion at Reason in the Rock 2013], YouTube video</ref>

At the same time, some of the larger atheist organizations have faced internal dissension and fundraising problems (See: [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheist organizations and fundraising]]).

There has also been increased dissension within the atheist movement.
Numerous atheists have declared that the "atheist movement is dead" or that it is dying (see: [[Decline of the atheist movement]])<ref>
*[https://freethoughtblogs.com/reasoner/2017/10/21/the-atheism-movement-dead-or-alive/ The “Atheism Movement:” Dead or Alive?], [[Freethought Blogs]]
*[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2017/11/seth-andrews-keeps-hearing-reports-of.html Atheist activist Seth Andrews keeps seeing reports on social media and the media that the atheist movement is dying], ''Examining Atheism''
*[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2017/10/now-that-that-poseur-atheist-aron-ra.html Atheist Aron Ra indicates the atheist movement is dead. Now that that Aron Ra has surrendered....], ''[[Examining Atheism]]''
*[http://www.atheistrev.com/2013/12/the-day-atheist-movement-died.html The Day the Atheist Movement Died] by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
*[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal destroying the atheist movement], [[Jen McCreight]], Twitter</ref>

== List of atheist/nontheist organizations ==

Below is a list of [[Atheism|atheist]]/nontheist organizations.

*[[Freedom From Religion Foundation]]

*[[American Atheists]]

*[[Center for Inquiry]]

*[[Secular Student Alliance]]

*[[American Humanist Association]]

*[[Foundation Beyond Belief]]

*[[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science]]

*[[Atheist Alliance International]]

*[[Camp Quest]]

*The Brights' Net is an organization associated with the [[Brights Movement]].

*[[The Satanic Temple]]

*[[Creativity Movement]]

*[[We Are Atheism]]

*Republican Atheists

__TOC__

== Leading American atheist organizations lean to the left politically ==

According to [[Republican]] Atheists' President Lauren Ell, the leading atheist organizations such as [[American Atheists]], [[Freedom From Religion Foundation]] and [[Secular Student Alliance]] lean [[leftism|left]] politically.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9JKS-HBqms Atheist and humanist organizations are prioritizing left-leaning political views above all else]</ref>

== Atheist leaders and misogyny ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and leadership]] and [[Atheism and sexism]]
[[File:JAMES RANDI.jpg|thumbnail|170px|right|[[James Randi]] ]]
[[James Randi]] is a leader within the atheist community. Brian Thompson, former James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) Outreach Coordinator, wrote:
{{cquote|But I no longer identify with this community of benevolent know-it-alls, because not all of them are the best folks in the world. In fact, a good percentage of the top ten worst humans I’ve ever met are prominent members of the skeptics’ club. They’re dishonest, mean-spirited, narcissistic, [[misogyny|misogynistic]]. Pick a personality flaw, and I can probably point you to someone who epitomizes it. And that person has probably had a speaking slot at a major skeptical conference.

I grew particularly disgusted with the boys’ club attitude I saw among skeptical leaders and luminaries. The kind of attitude that’s dismissive of women, sexually predatory, and downright gross. When I first started going to skeptical conferences as a fresh-faced know-it-all, I started hearing things about people I once admired. Then I started seeing things myself. Then I got a job with the JREF, and the pattern continued.<ref>Myers, P. Z. (March 31, 2014). [http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/03/31/when-will-this-situation-improve/ "When will this situation improve?"]. Freethoughtblogs.com/Pharyngula.</ref>}}

== Token efforts to extend racial minorities leadership positions in atheist organizations ==

''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Atheism and leadership]]

On October 9, 2014, the atheist Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson declared:
{{cquote|Despite frequent tokenistic calls for “diversity” within the “movement,” there are virtually no people of color in executive management positions in any of the major secular, atheist, or [[Secular Humanism|Humanist]] organizations —notable exceptions being Debbie Goddard of Center for Inquiry and Maggie Ardiente of American Humanist Association. People of color are constantly bombarded with claims of separatism, reverse discrimination, and “self-segregation” when they point to the absence of social justice, anti-racist community organizing, coalition-building, and visibility among secular organizations. After the Washington Post article, the vitriol and denialism among the “We are All Africans” white atheists was off the chain. This illustrates yet again that sticking a few of us on conference panels or secular boards is nothing but cheap appeasement.<ref>[http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/10/09/atheism-social-justice-sikivu-hutchinson-first-people-color-beyond-faith-conference/ Atheism and social justice: Sikivu Hutchinson on the first People of Color Beyond Faith conference], Chris Stedman, Religious Service News, Oct 9, 2014</ref>}}
=== Sikivu Hutchinson's criticism of RDF and Center for Inquiry merger ===
[[File:Skivu Hutchinson speaking at Center For Inquiry.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Sikivu Hutchinson]] speaking ath the [[Center for Inquiry]]. ]]

''See also:'' [[Center for Inquiry]]

Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson wrote:
{{cquote|The recent merger of the secular organization [[Center for Inquiry]] (CFI) and the [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science|Richard Dawkins Foundation]] (RDF) has been dubbed atheism's supergroup moment. Acknowledging the two organizations' outsized presence in the atheist world, Religion News Service acidly declared it a "royal wedding". The partnership, which gives Richard Dawkins a seat on the CFI board, smacks of a vindication of Dawkins' toxic, reactionary brand of [http://www.salon.com/2013/08/10/richard_dawkins_does_it_again_new_atheisms_islamophobia_problem/ damn-all-them-culturally-backward-Western-values-hating- Muslims] New Atheism. As one of the most prominent global secular organizations, CFI's [http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/corporate_governance all-white board] looks right at home with RDF's [https://richarddawkins.net/boardandstaff/ lily white board] and staff.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sikivu-hutchinson/atheismsowhite-atheists-o_b_9078736.html #AtheismSoWhite: Atheists of Color Rock Social Justice] by Sikivu Hutchinson</ref>}}

The [[secular humanism|secular humanist]] document Human Manifesto II, which was written in 1973 by [[Paul Kurtz]] and Edwin H. Wilson, decried racism and it declared:
{{cquote|The beginnings of police states, even in democratic societies, widespread government espionage, and other abuses of power by military, political, and industrial elites, and the continuance of unyielding racism, all present a different and difficult social outlook. In various societies, the demands of women and minority groups for equal rights effectively challenge our generation.<ref>[http://americanhumanist.org/humanism/humanist_manifesto_ii Humanist Manifesto II]</ref>}}

== Atheist leaders and arrogance ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Atheist movement]]
[[File:PZ Myers at Skepticon 7.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]] ]]
The atheist [[PZ Myers]] wrote: "But see, this is why the atheist movement can’t have leaders. The ones we’ve got, informally, all seem to think they’re like gods and popes, infallible and unquestionable, and that normal, healthy, productive criticism within the movement is all a conspiracy to dethrone them."<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/01/16/the-delicate-ego-of-mr-michael-shermer/ The delicate ego of Mr Michael Shermer] by [[PZ Myers]], 16 January 2013</ref>

John W. Loftus, one of the more prominent atheists in the atheist community, cites John Draper (a Canadian atheist blogger), saying about prominent atheist PZ Myers: "According to PZ you either agree with him or you are the scum of the earth. If anyone is giving atheists a bad reputation it's PZ - he shows no tolerance or respect for anyone other than himself."<ref>[http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2012/07/can-pz-myers-change-his-ways-should-he.html Can PZ Myers Change His Ways? Should He?] By John W. Loftus at 7/30/2012</ref>

== Atheist activist Lee Moore: Donations to atheist organizations are down due to in-fighting within the atheist movement ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist organizations and fundraising]] and [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social skills]]

In 2017, the atheist activist Lee Moore declared:
{{Cquote|If you look at the major atheist groups right now, like the national groups, the ones that are doing the real activist work... They are not bringing in the kind of donations they used to. Most of them are starved for cash. They're downsizing left and right. Because people aren't just giving like they used to. And I talked to a lot of the major donors out there and they said, "Well, we're kind of tired of seeing the atheist community just fight amongst itself and not really get anything done. We'd rather not give money if we don't think it's going to go somewhere."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvG6LKUbOdk Lee Moore and Steve Shives Talk About the Future of the Atheist Movement],
- video quote comes 21 minutes and 13 seconds into the video</ref>}}

== Atheist movement ==

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

=== Blair Scott about atheist infighting with the atheist movement ===

''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and sociability]]
[[File:David Silverman Reason Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[David Silverman]] is the president of the [[American Atheists]] organization.]]
[[Blair Scott]] served on the [[American Atheists]] board of directors. Mr. Scott formerly served as a State Director for the [[American Atheists]] organization in the state of [[Alabama]]. On December 1, 2012 he quit his post as a director of outreach for the American Atheist due to infighting within the American atheist movement.<ref>[http://news.atheists.org/2012/12/01/an-open-letter-from-blair-scott/ An Open Letter from Blair Scott]</ref>

Mr. Blair wrote:
{{cquote|I have spent the last week mulling over what I want to do at this point in the movement. I’m tired of the in-fighting: at every level. I am especially tired of allowing myself to get sucked into it and engaging in the very behavior that is irritating..me.<ref>[http://news.atheists.org/2012/12/01/an-open-letter-from-blair-scott/ An Open Letter from Blair Scott]</ref>}}

== Sunday Assembly atheist church movement ==

''See also:'' [[Atheists and church attendance]]

The Sunday Assembly atheist church movement was founded in 2013 by the secular humanists and comedians Pippa Evans and Sanderson Jones.<ref>[https://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>[https://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>

== Atheist organizations: Church-state/creationism issues - poor largely ignored ==

See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] and [[Atheism, social justice and hypocrisy]]
[[File:Beggar.jpg|thumb|right|205px|A child in [[Thailand]] where the nontheistic form of [[Buddhism]] called the Theravada school of Buddhism is prevalent.

A comprehensive study by [[Harvard University]] professor Robert Putnam found that religious people are more charitable than their irreligious counterparts.<ref name="Burke Campbell">Multiple references:
*Burke, Daniel, Religion News Service (May 13, 2009). [http://web.archive.org/web/20130310113024/http://www.pewforum.org/Religion-News/Religious-people-make-better-citizens-study-says.aspx "Religious people make better citizens, study says"]. Pew Research Forum. Archived on March 10, 2013 by Internet Archive. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
*Campbell, David and Putnam, Robert (November 14, 2010). [https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-11-15-column15_ST_N.htm "Religious people are 'better neighbors'"]. USA Today website. Retrieved on July 19, 2014.</ref>

In the United States, [[per capita]] [[atheism|atheists]] and [[agnosticism|agnostics]] in America give significantly less to charity than [[theism|theists]] even when church giving is not counted for theists. See: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] ]]
In June 2014, Sikivu Hutchinson wrote in the ''Washington Post'' that atheist organizations generally focus on church/state separation and creationism issues and not the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref> Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations do offer significant help to poor African-Americans.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref>

Also, according to a video posted at [[Freethought Blogs]] storefront churches provide assistance to local residents including women, and this partly explains the dearth of Hispanic and African-American women atheists in America (Atheists give less to charity than Christians. See: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]).<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/08/06/sikivu-ophelia-and-rebecca-who-says-atheism-lacks-women-stars/ Sikivu, Ophelia, and Rebecca — who says atheism lacks women stars?]</ref>

In 2014, the atheist Chris Hall wrote in an article which was published by ''Salon'' magazine and ''Alternet'':
{{cquote|Direct challenges to racism and sexism haven’t traditionally been the domain of the large organizations like [[American Atheists]] or the Secular Coalition for America. It’s been far more typical to fight incursions against separation of church and state or educate against pseudoscience like [[homeopathy]].<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/06/05/forget_christopher_hitchens_atheism_in_america_is_undergoing_a_radical_change_partner/ Forget Christopher Hitchens: Atheism in America is undergoing a radical change] by Chris Hall, ''Salon'' magazine, Thursday, Jun 5, 2014 12:25 PM UTC (originally published in Alternet)</ref>}}

== Lack of significant global outreach by atheist organizations ==

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Global Christianity]] and [[Evangelism|Christian evangelism]] and [[Atheism and apathy]]

[[File:FMSC Distribution Partner in Malawi.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|The Christian relief organization Feed My Starving Children has a distribution partner in [[Malawi]], Africa. In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.<ref>[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa]</ref>

In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref>

Western World atheists and East Asian atheists have not engaged in a significant amount of global outreach.]]
The former [[Soviet Union]] had a worldwide expansionist policy as far as spreading atheistic communism.<ref>''America Coming to Terms: The Vietnam Legacy'' By Nguyen Anh Tuan, page 82</ref> The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a spike in religious affiliation, both in [[Russia]] and in Eastern Europe.<ref>[Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020] by Michael W. Chapman, CNS News, July 24, 2013 - 2:18 PM</ref>

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

The atheists in the [[Western World]] and East Asia have not had significant outreaches to spread atheism throughout the world. Historically, Christians have made great evangelism efforts to reach every people group across the earth. In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref> Doing overseas evangelism/outreaches, often requires significant hardships/persecution and Western atheists and East Asian atheists have been unwilling to endure such hardships in order to spread atheistic ideology (see: [[Atheism and hedonism]]).

In the [[United States]], atheists are in the minority (See: [[Atheist Population]]). And in the United States and [[Canada]], the general population looks very unfavorably on atheists (see: [[Views on atheists]]). In the United States/Canada, atheists are generally white.

== Atheist leaders and polyamory ==

On June 14, 2012, an article entitled ''[[Atheism and leadership|Atheist leaders]] and immoral relationships'' published by an advocate of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] declared:
{{cquote|The website ''Submitted to a Candid World'' is written by an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and the website was praised by the prominent [[atheism|atheist]] [[PZ Myers]] in the past.

On April 20, 2012 an article appeared in ''Submitted to a Candid World'' which declared:

'Several of my close friends — coincidentally, all extremely intelligent, math/science oriented, and leaders in the freethought/rationality/atheist communities — find themselves practicing and promoting an arrangement they term “[[polyamory]].” Essentially, this describes a post-jealousy, highly rationalized state where participants date each other, and several others simultaneously...

In the ideal polyamorous relationship, one man is seriously “dating” several women, each of whom is in turn dating several men.'<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}

The article ''Atheist leaders and immoral relationships'' further declares:
{{cquote|Several leaders of the "freethought"/atheist community are practicing and promoting polyamory. This is not going to help the poor reputation that atheism already has among the public. The [[Mormon]]s promoted [[bigamy]] for a while and later retracted their position due to the public outrage.

Of course, atheist leaders engaging in and promoting practices such as polyamory is one of the many reasons why atheism has such a bad reputation in the world.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}

For more information please see: [http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]

=== Amanda Metskas, August Brunsman and polyamory ===

[[Camp Quest]] is the first residential summer camp in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway designed specifically for the children of [[Atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[secular humanism|secular humanists]] and others who hold a [[Philosophical naturalism|naturalistic worldview]].

[[Richard Carrier]] reported in 2016 that Amanda Metskas, the national Executive Director of Camp Quest, are dating and "she and her husband, August Brunsman, are publicly [[Polyamory|polyamorous]]."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/xK0h6#selection-5565.61-5589.301 Richard Carrier quote]</ref>

August Brunsman her polyamorous husband is the Executive Director of the [[Secular Student Alliance]]. Carrier was a speaker for the [[Secular Student Alliance]] when he was accused of sexual harassment.<ref>[http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/28009/ Popularizer of social-justice atheism can’t believe he’s accused of sexually harassing students]</ref><ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref>

== Atheist organizations and fundraising ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist fundraising vs. religious fundraising]]

Religious organizations are far outpacing atheist organizations when it comes to fundraising (see: [[Atheist fundraising vs. religious fundraising]] and [[Atheism and charity]]),

=== Atheist nonprofit scandals ===

See: [[Atheist nonprofit scandals]]

== Communist Party of China ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Asian atheism]] and [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Growth of Christianity in China]]
[[Image:Hgdutyu6.png|right|thumb|200px|Flag of the Communist Party of China]]
In 1955, [[China|Chinese]] communist leader Zhou Enlai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2014, the [[Communist Party of China]] reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>
*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism], ''New American'', 2014
*[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>

In 2016, the ''International Business Times'' reported:
{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

There is growing persecution of Christians by the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China]</ref>

== Communist Party of the Soviet Union ==

See: [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] and [[Atheism and communism]]

== See also ==

*[[Atheism and loneliness]]

*[[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence]]

*[[Antitheism and antisocial behavior]]

*[[Atheist cults]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
[[Category:Atheist Organizations]]
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Agnosticism]]