Difference between revisions of "Atheism and the Me Too Movement"

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[[File:Laurence Krauss.JPG|thumbnail|right|175px|[[Lawrence Krauss]] ]]
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On February 1, 2018, Caroline Matas wrote in an article at the website Religion Dispatches:
On March 2, 2018, Amanda Marcotte wrote in ''Salon'' about [[atheist feminism]]:
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{{Cquote|Anyone familiar with the Internet’s “Manosphere” will be unsurprised to learn that “Red Pillers” and Men’s Rights Activists are fed up with the #[[Me Too Movement|MeToo movement]].
{{Cquote|In mid-February, #[[Me Too Movement|MeToo]] came to the community of [[Atheist activist|activist atheists]] and [[science]] promoters, known as [[Philosophical naturalism|skeptics]]... ''Buzzfeed'' published an expose of [[Lawrence Krauss]], a [[Physics|physicist]] who became a minor celebrity due in part to his outspoken [[atheism]], in which multiple women shared tales of his alleged sexual abusiveness. Krauss denies the multiple, separate accounts painstakingly detailed by ''Buzzfeed'''s reporters. However, Krauss is still facing a litany of professional repercussions: cancelled appearances, disavowals (most prominently by the American [[Secular humanism|Humanist]] Association) and investigations into the accusations.
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What is, perhaps, more surprising is the number of [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] figureheads in which Men’s Rights Activists are finding unlikely allies.<ref>[http://religiondispatches.org/how-mens-rights-activists-are-finding-unlikely-allies-in-new-atheism-metoo-the-manosphere-and-the-church-of-feminism/ HOW MEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ARE FINDING UNLIKELY ALLIES IN NEW ATHEISM: #METOO, THE MANOSPHERE, AND THE “CHURCH OF FEMINISM”] by Caroline Matas, Religion Dispatches, February 1, 2018</ref>}}
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[[File:Laurence Krauss.JPG|thumbnail|right|176px|[[Lawrence Krauss]], who has been accused of engaging in sexual harassment, is speaking at the [[Anti-Theism International Convention 2020]].<ref>[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/12/03/anti-theism-conference-organizer-defends-sexual-misconduct-in-bizarre-rant-2/ “Anti-Theism” Conference Organizer Defends Sexual Misconduct in Bizarre Rant] by [[Hemant Mehta]]</ref>]]
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On March 2, 2018, Amanda Marcotte wrote in ''[[Salon Media Group|Salon]]'' about [[atheist feminism]] and the Me Too Movement:
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{{Cquote|In mid-February, #MeToo came to the community of [[Atheist activist|activist atheists]] and [[science]] promoters, known as [[Philosophical naturalism|skeptics]]... ''Buzzfeed'' published an expose of [[Lawrence Krauss]], a [[Physics|physicist]] who became a minor celebrity due in part to his outspoken [[atheism]], in which multiple women shared tales of his alleged sexual abusiveness. Krauss denies the multiple, separate accounts painstakingly detailed by ''Buzzfeed'''s reporters. However, Krauss is still facing a litany of professional repercussions: cancelled appearances, disavowals (most prominently by the American [[Secular humanism|Humanist]] Association) and investigations into the accusations.
  
 
But for many in the skeptic movement, Krauss's reckoning, while welcome, feels like too little, too late. For years, these activists told ''[[Salon]]'', they've been agitating against [[Atheism and sexism|sexual harassment in the community]] and trying to expose the abusive behaviors of many prominent figures. For their efforts, they have been harassed, demoralized and often shunned — while the accused, including Krauss, continue to enjoy honored status in the community. Some of these atheists hope that Krauss' outing represents a turning point in their movement, but others worry that the hostility towards women speaking out is calcified and nothing substantial will change...
 
But for many in the skeptic movement, Krauss's reckoning, while welcome, feels like too little, too late. For years, these activists told ''[[Salon]]'', they've been agitating against [[Atheism and sexism|sexual harassment in the community]] and trying to expose the abusive behaviors of many prominent figures. For their efforts, they have been harassed, demoralized and often shunned — while the accused, including Krauss, continue to enjoy honored status in the community. Some of these atheists hope that Krauss' outing represents a turning point in their movement, but others worry that the hostility towards women speaking out is calcified and nothing substantial will change...
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[[Rebecca Watson]], the founder of [[Skepchick]], tried a slightly different approach. In 2011, she [[Elevatorgate|put out a video detailing how a man followed her into an elevator]] at 4 a.m. at a conference and hit on her, which she said made "me incredibly uncomfortable"....
 
[[Rebecca Watson]], the founder of [[Skepchick]], tried a slightly different approach. In 2011, she [[Elevatorgate|put out a video detailing how a man followed her into an elevator]] at 4 a.m. at a conference and hit on her, which she said made "me incredibly uncomfortable"....
  
"There was a big rise of people who decided that wasn’t good and that [[feminism]] was bad and that they had to harass women," explained Monette Richards, the president of Secular Woman, which was created in large part as a response to the hostility that feminists were experiencing.
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"There was a big rise of people who decided that wasn’t good and that [[feminism]] was bad and that they had to harass women," explained [[Monette Richards]], the president of Secular Woman, which was created in large part as a response to the hostility that feminists were experiencing.
  
 
Richards called it the "[[Atheist factions|Great Rift]]," a divide that erupted between women who "were saying, no, we are not debating feminism," and those who were either outright [[Anti-feminism|anti-feminist]] or those afraid "to embrace the feminists or feminism, because they felt that they would be shunning a lot of the people who were anti-feminist."...
 
Richards called it the "[[Atheist factions|Great Rift]]," a divide that erupted between women who "were saying, no, we are not debating feminism," and those who were either outright [[Anti-feminism|anti-feminist]] or those afraid "to embrace the feminists or feminism, because they felt that they would be shunning a lot of the people who were anti-feminist."...
  
 
Still, Richards felt that there is still a huge amount of institutional resistance to feminism, noting that Secular Woman got disinvited from an annual meeting of secular organizations, after members spoke up about these issues. The reaction to ''Buzzfeed'''s story about Krauss is disheartening, as well.  While the American Humanist Association issued a statement of support for Krauss' accusers, [[Center for Inquiry]] still has Krauss as an honorary board member. The [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science|Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science]] have been silent.<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2018/03/02/for-atheists-metoo-might-be-too-little-too-late/ For atheists, #MeToo might be too little, too late] by Amanda Marcotte, Salon, March 2, 2018</ref>}}
 
Still, Richards felt that there is still a huge amount of institutional resistance to feminism, noting that Secular Woman got disinvited from an annual meeting of secular organizations, after members spoke up about these issues. The reaction to ''Buzzfeed'''s story about Krauss is disheartening, as well.  While the American Humanist Association issued a statement of support for Krauss' accusers, [[Center for Inquiry]] still has Krauss as an honorary board member. The [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science|Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science]] have been silent.<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2018/03/02/for-atheists-metoo-might-be-too-little-too-late/ For atheists, #MeToo might be too little, too late] by Amanda Marcotte, Salon, March 2, 2018</ref>}}
 
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[[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|left|150px|[[David Silverman]] took feminist [[Rebecca Watson]] off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after [[Richard Dawkins]] objected to her speaking at the event.<ref>[http://skepchick.org/2013/09/my-time-with-richard-dawkins-or-why-you-should-never-meet-your-idols/ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols)] by Sarah at [[Skepchick]], September 5, 2013</ref> See: [[Elevatorgate]] ]]
 
Tris Mamone wrote on April 19, 2018:
 
Tris Mamone wrote on April 19, 2018:
{{Cquote|To be fair, several prominent atheist organizations and activists severed ties with Krauss shortly after the article’s publication. The American Humanist Association released a statement on March 9 saying they would no longer invite him to speak at any upcoming conferences, and they are considering rescinding his 2015 Humanist of the Year Award. The Center for Inquiry likewise announced that they were suspending their association with Krauss “pending further information,” as did [[evolution]]ary biologist [[Jerry Coyne]] after doing his own investigation.
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{{Cquote|To be fair, several prominent [[atheist organizations]] and activists severed ties with Krauss shortly after the article’s publication. The American Humanist Association released a statement on March 9 saying they would no longer invite him to speak at any upcoming conferences, and they are considering rescinding his 2015 Humanist of the Year Award. The Center for Inquiry likewise announced that they were suspending their association with Krauss “pending further information,” as did [[evolution]]ary biologist [[Jerry Coyne]] after doing his own investigation.
  
However, author [[Sam Harris]], whose 2004 book ''The End of Faith'' first launched the so-called [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] movement, voiced his doubts about the accusations against Krauss on his “Waking Up” podcast, saying “there were many things obvious about [the BuzzFeed article] that suggested that we shouldn’t rush to accept all of these allegations,” and that he hoped Krauss “finds some way to redeem himself.”...
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However, author [[Sam Harris]], whose 2004 book ''The End of Faith'' first launched the so-called New Atheist movement, voiced his doubts about the accusations against Krauss on his “Waking Up” podcast, saying “there were many things obvious about [the BuzzFeed article] that suggested that we shouldn’t rush to accept all of these allegations,” and that he hoped Krauss “finds some way to redeem himself.”...
  
 
And Krauss isn’t the only prominent skeptic with allegations against him. News broke last week that [[David Silverman]] had been “abruptly fired” from his role as the president of [[American Atheists]] due to both financial and sexual misconduct allegations. On top of this, much has been written about the multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against ''Skeptic Magazine'' editor-in-chief [[Michael Shermer]] and historian [[Richard Carrier]] — yet they are still invited to speak at atheist and skeptic conferences.
 
And Krauss isn’t the only prominent skeptic with allegations against him. News broke last week that [[David Silverman]] had been “abruptly fired” from his role as the president of [[American Atheists]] due to both financial and sexual misconduct allegations. On top of this, much has been written about the multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against ''Skeptic Magazine'' editor-in-chief [[Michael Shermer]] and historian [[Richard Carrier]] — yet they are still invited to speak at atheist and skeptic conferences.
  
 
What is most troubling about the Krauss story is how many in the atheist movement knew about his reputation before the ''BuzzFeed'' article came out, including this writer. If secular communities want to provide a better alternative to religious institutions, why didn’t anyone confront Krauss sooner? Why are Shermer and Carrier still given a platform despite having similar accusations to those levied against Krauss?<ref>[https://medium.com/the-establishment/why-are-secular-skeptic-communities-failing-to-address-sexual-crime-26cddb5ce63b Why Are Secular Skeptic Communities Failing To Address Sexual Crime?] by Tris Mamone, ''Medium'', April 19, 2018</ref>}}
 
What is most troubling about the Krauss story is how many in the atheist movement knew about his reputation before the ''BuzzFeed'' article came out, including this writer. If secular communities want to provide a better alternative to religious institutions, why didn’t anyone confront Krauss sooner? Why are Shermer and Carrier still given a platform despite having similar accusations to those levied against Krauss?<ref>[https://medium.com/the-establishment/why-are-secular-skeptic-communities-failing-to-address-sexual-crime-26cddb5ce63b Why Are Secular Skeptic Communities Failing To Address Sexual Crime?] by Tris Mamone, ''Medium'', April 19, 2018</ref>}}
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== Michael Shermer and the sexual harassment allegations against him ==
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''See also:'' [[Michael Shermer and sexual harassment allegations]]
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In 2018, Kimberly Winston wrote in the ''Washington Post'', "[[Michael Shermer]], who has denied allegations of sexual harassment and assault from several women, remains editor of Skeptic magazine and a top speaker at [[Atheist conferences|secularist events]]."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/09/06/americas-leading-atheist-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-speaks-out/ Leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out] by Kimberly Winston, Washington Post, 2018</ref>
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== Sikivu Hutchinson on the the MeToo Movement and organized atheism ==
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and sexism]] and [[Atheism and women]]
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[[File:Sikivu Hutchinson.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Sikivu Hutchinson]]]]
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In 2018, [[David Silverman]] was fired from the American Atheist organization after allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault.<ref>[https://www.buzzfeed.com/peteraldhous/david-silverman-atheist-fired-sexual-misconduct?utm_term=.yt64RqDPA#.ordaNrO4R This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault]</ref> See: [[Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization]]
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In an article entitled ''Hiring of Accused Atheist Leader Is Reminder That #MeToo Is Still Needed in Organized Atheism'', the atheist [[Sikivu Hutchinson]] wrote about the hiring of David Silverman by the organization [[Atheist Alliance International]]:
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{{Cquote|The recent decision by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) to hire the former leader of American Atheists, David Silverman, to its executive director position is yet another indication that this business-as-usual rehab strategy also applies to movement atheism, which can be just as corrupt, cronyistic, and swaggeringly hostile to women as corporate America.<ref>[https://rewire.news/religion-dispatches/2019/10/14/hiring-of-accused-atheist-leader-is-reminder-that-metoo-is-still-needed-in-organized-atheism/ Hiring of Accused Atheist Leader Is Reminder That #MeToo Is Still Needed in Organized Atheism] by Sikivu Hutchinson, Rewire News</ref>}}
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== Atheist feminists/progressive atheists attempting to get Atheist Alliance International to fire David Silverman ==
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''See also:'' [[Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman]] and [[Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization]] and [[Rebecca Vitsmun]]
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The atheist [[David Silverman]] is being accused of sexually harassing several women (see: [[Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman]]).
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There are atheist feminists/[[SJW atheists|progressive atheists]] attempting to get [[Atheist Alliance International]] to fire David Silverman.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjrvE1q7uD8 David Silverman (Former President of American Atheist) talks to us about allegations against him.]</ref> 
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David Silverman indicates that [[Secular Woman]] and its president [[Monette Richards]] is trying to get the United Nations to revoke AAI's special consultative status with the UN in order to punish AAI for hiring Silverman.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjrvE1q7uD8 David Silverman (Former President of American Atheist) talks to us about allegations against him.], Silverman starts mentioning this matter at the 51:29 point of the video</ref>
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For further details, please see:
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*[[Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman]]
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*[[Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization]]
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*[[Prominent atheists and adultery]]
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=== YouTube atheist Cult of Dusty ===
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On December 9, 2019, in a video about [[David Silverman]], who is being accused of inappropriately touching several women, the atheist YouTuber [[Cult of Dusty]] said the atheist community is "cringe" and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it anymore.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2a-hDiOYBg David Silverman Accused Of "Creepy Touching" Again! Plus 50 Other topics! (CODcast 78)]</ref> See also: [[Decline of the atheist movement]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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*[[Atheism and women]]
 
*[[Atheism and women]]
 
*[[Post sexual harassment allegations against Lawrence Krauss and David Silverman, searches for atheism related topics have dropped markedly]]
 
*[[Post sexual harassment allegations against Lawrence Krauss and David Silverman, searches for atheism related topics have dropped markedly]]
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*[[Richard Carrier's lawsuits|Richard Carrier's defamation lawsuits against fellow atheists]] (involve sexual harrassment allegations against him)
 
*[[Atheism and social justice]]
 
*[[Atheism and social justice]]
 
*[[Decline of the atheist movement]]
 
*[[Decline of the atheist movement]]
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*[[Left-wing war on women]]
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 10:52, March 18, 2020

On February 1, 2018, Caroline Matas wrote in an article at the website Religion Dispatches:

Anyone familiar with the Internet’s “Manosphere” will be unsurprised to learn that “Red Pillers” and Men’s Rights Activists are fed up with the #MeToo movement.

What is, perhaps, more surprising is the number of New Atheist figureheads in which Men’s Rights Activists are finding unlikely allies.[1]

Lawrence Krauss, who has been accused of engaging in sexual harassment, is speaking at the Anti-Theism International Convention 2020.[2]

On March 2, 2018, Amanda Marcotte wrote in Salon about atheist feminism and the Me Too Movement:

In mid-February, #MeToo came to the community of activist atheists and science promoters, known as skeptics... Buzzfeed published an expose of Lawrence Krauss, a physicist who became a minor celebrity due in part to his outspoken atheism, in which multiple women shared tales of his alleged sexual abusiveness. Krauss denies the multiple, separate accounts painstakingly detailed by Buzzfeed's reporters. However, Krauss is still facing a litany of professional repercussions: cancelled appearances, disavowals (most prominently by the American Humanist Association) and investigations into the accusations.

But for many in the skeptic movement, Krauss's reckoning, while welcome, feels like too little, too late. For years, these activists told Salon, they've been agitating against sexual harassment in the community and trying to expose the abusive behaviors of many prominent figures. For their efforts, they have been harassed, demoralized and often shunned — while the accused, including Krauss, continue to enjoy honored status in the community. Some of these atheists hope that Krauss' outing represents a turning point in their movement, but others worry that the hostility towards women speaking out is calcified and nothing substantial will change...

Rebecca Watson, the founder of Skepchick, tried a slightly different approach. In 2011, she put out a video detailing how a man followed her into an elevator at 4 a.m. at a conference and hit on her, which she said made "me incredibly uncomfortable"....

"There was a big rise of people who decided that wasn’t good and that feminism was bad and that they had to harass women," explained Monette Richards, the president of Secular Woman, which was created in large part as a response to the hostility that feminists were experiencing.

Richards called it the "Great Rift," a divide that erupted between women who "were saying, no, we are not debating feminism," and those who were either outright anti-feminist or those afraid "to embrace the feminists or feminism, because they felt that they would be shunning a lot of the people who were anti-feminist."...

Still, Richards felt that there is still a huge amount of institutional resistance to feminism, noting that Secular Woman got disinvited from an annual meeting of secular organizations, after members spoke up about these issues. The reaction to Buzzfeed's story about Krauss is disheartening, as well. While the American Humanist Association issued a statement of support for Krauss' accusers, Center for Inquiry still has Krauss as an honorary board member. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science have been silent.[3]

David Silverman took feminist Rebecca Watson off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after Richard Dawkins objected to her speaking at the event.[4] See: Elevatorgate

Tris Mamone wrote on April 19, 2018:

To be fair, several prominent atheist organizations and activists severed ties with Krauss shortly after the article’s publication. The American Humanist Association released a statement on March 9 saying they would no longer invite him to speak at any upcoming conferences, and they are considering rescinding his 2015 Humanist of the Year Award. The Center for Inquiry likewise announced that they were suspending their association with Krauss “pending further information,” as did evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne after doing his own investigation.

However, author Sam Harris, whose 2004 book The End of Faith first launched the so-called New Atheist movement, voiced his doubts about the accusations against Krauss on his “Waking Up” podcast, saying “there were many things obvious about [the BuzzFeed article] that suggested that we shouldn’t rush to accept all of these allegations,” and that he hoped Krauss “finds some way to redeem himself.”...

And Krauss isn’t the only prominent skeptic with allegations against him. News broke last week that David Silverman had been “abruptly fired” from his role as the president of American Atheists due to both financial and sexual misconduct allegations. On top of this, much has been written about the multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against Skeptic Magazine editor-in-chief Michael Shermer and historian Richard Carrier — yet they are still invited to speak at atheist and skeptic conferences.

What is most troubling about the Krauss story is how many in the atheist movement knew about his reputation before the BuzzFeed article came out, including this writer. If secular communities want to provide a better alternative to religious institutions, why didn’t anyone confront Krauss sooner? Why are Shermer and Carrier still given a platform despite having similar accusations to those levied against Krauss?[5]

Michael Shermer and the sexual harassment allegations against him

See also: Michael Shermer and sexual harassment allegations

In 2018, Kimberly Winston wrote in the Washington Post, "Michael Shermer, who has denied allegations of sexual harassment and assault from several women, remains editor of Skeptic magazine and a top speaker at secularist events."[6]

Sikivu Hutchinson on the the MeToo Movement and organized atheism

See also: Atheism and sexism and Atheism and women

In 2018, David Silverman was fired from the American Atheist organization after allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault.[7] See: Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization

In an article entitled Hiring of Accused Atheist Leader Is Reminder That #MeToo Is Still Needed in Organized Atheism, the atheist Sikivu Hutchinson wrote about the hiring of David Silverman by the organization Atheist Alliance International:

The recent decision by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) to hire the former leader of American Atheists, David Silverman, to its executive director position is yet another indication that this business-as-usual rehab strategy also applies to movement atheism, which can be just as corrupt, cronyistic, and swaggeringly hostile to women as corporate America.[8]

Atheist feminists/progressive atheists attempting to get Atheist Alliance International to fire David Silverman

See also: Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman and Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization and Rebecca Vitsmun

The atheist David Silverman is being accused of sexually harassing several women (see: Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman).

There are atheist feminists/progressive atheists attempting to get Atheist Alliance International to fire David Silverman.[9]

David Silverman indicates that Secular Woman and its president Monette Richards is trying to get the United Nations to revoke AAI's special consultative status with the UN in order to punish AAI for hiring Silverman.[10]

For further details, please see:

YouTube atheist Cult of Dusty

On December 9, 2019, in a video about David Silverman, who is being accused of inappropriately touching several women, the atheist YouTuber Cult of Dusty said the atheist community is "cringe" and he doesn't want to have anything to do with it anymore.[11] See also: Decline of the atheist movement

See also

Notes