Difference between revisions of "Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization"
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− | [[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|right|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]] ]] | + | [[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|right|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]] ]] |
− | In 2018, [[David Silverman]] was fired 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> Nick Fish, the new president of American Atheists, indicated that Silverman's termination was not over sexual allegations, but as a result of a "loss of confidence" stemming from violations of internal policies on staff management, conflicts of interest, and their general code of conduct.<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], ''Washington Post'' (republished article from ''[[Religion News Service]]'') by Kimberly Winston, September 6, 2018</ref> Silverman, through his lawyer, denies any wrong doing and indicates he has never had a non-consensual sexual encounter.<ref>[https://www.christianpost.com/news/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-fired-after-sexual-misconduct-allegations-223034/ American Atheists President David Silverman Fired After Sexual Misconduct Allegations], Christian Post, 2018</ref> In 2019, atheists [[PZ Myers]] and Stephanie Zvan indicate that Silverman's attempts to improve his public image have failed.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/08/15/david-silverman-is-failing-redemption-101/ David Silverman is failing Redemption 101] by PZ Myers</ref><ref>[https://the-orbit.net/almostdiamonds/2019/08/15/david-silverman-liar-for-the-defense/ David Silverman: Liar for the Defense] by </ref> In his book, ''Fighting God'', Silverman indicates that he is a “proud [[feminism|feminist]].” (See also: [[Atheism and sexism]] and [[Atheism and the Me Too Movement]]).<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/david-silverman-was-a-proud-feminist/ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”], PZ Myers</ref> | + | In 2018, [[David Silverman]] was fired 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> Nick Fish, the new president of [[American Atheists]], indicated that Silverman's termination was not over sexual assualt allegations, but as a result of a "loss of confidence" stemming from violations of internal policies on staff management, conflicts of interest, and their general code of conduct.<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], ''Washington Post'' (republished article from ''[[Religion News Service]]'') by Kimberly Winston, September 6, 2018</ref> Silverman, through his lawyer, denies any wrong doing and indicates he has never had a non-consensual sexual encounter.<ref>[https://www.christianpost.com/news/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-fired-after-sexual-misconduct-allegations-223034/ American Atheists President David Silverman Fired After Sexual Misconduct Allegations], Christian Post, 2018</ref> In 2019, atheists [[PZ Myers]] and Stephanie Zvan indicate that Silverman's attempts to improve his public image have failed.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/08/15/david-silverman-is-failing-redemption-101/ David Silverman is failing Redemption 101] by PZ Myers</ref><ref>[https://the-orbit.net/almostdiamonds/2019/08/15/david-silverman-liar-for-the-defense/ David Silverman: Liar for the Defense] by </ref> In his book, ''Fighting God'', Silverman indicates that he is a “proud [[feminism|feminist]].” (See also: [[Atheism and sexism]] and [[Atheism and the Me Too Movement]]).<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/david-silverman-was-a-proud-feminist/ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”], PZ Myers</ref> |
− | Silverman | + | After leaving two [[atheist organizations]] amid sexual harassment allegations, Silverman now calls himself a former [[atheist activist]].<ref>[https://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2020/01/david-silverman-ex-president-of.html David Silverman, ex-president of the American Atheists, after leaving two atheist organizations amid sexual harassment allegations, calls himself a former atheist activist]</ref> See: [[David Silverman's loss of public influence]] |
+ | |||
+ | In October 2019, he was hired to be the Executive Director of [[Atheist Alliance International]] (AAI)<ref>[https://www.atheistalliance.org/presidents-corner/david-p-silverman-appointed-executive-director/?fbclid=IwAR2F4FI62mvegNVY_eRqfd3jGrZu0D_FYuzqr3QiPnS-RutuBGG1qYhiCw4 David P. Silverman Appointed Executive Director]</ref> In December 2019, the atheist blogger David G. McAfee reported that David Silverman has been suspended by AAI pending an investigation into an alleged inappropriate touching incident which allegedly occurred against the atheist woman [[Rebecca Vitsmun]].<ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nosacredcows/2019/12/david-silverman-suspended-pending-investigation-into-touching-incident/ David Silverman Suspended Pending Investigation Into Touching Incident]</ref> | ||
+ | Silverman contends that he did not inappropriately touch Rebecca Vitsmun.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6Xad0rGeo Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft]</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rebecca Vitsmun filed a restraining order against Silverman, but the judge denied her petition because the judge did not see a pattern of sexual harassment against her by Silverman.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6Xad0rGeo Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft]</ref> Rebecca Vitsmun has filed a [[battery]] allegation with the police against atheist David Silverman and indicates he caressed her [[sacrum]] without her permission (the sacrum is a bone at the base of the lower back that is above the tailbone).<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6Xad0rGeo Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft]</ref> On March 4, 2020, Silverman mocked Vitsum's allegation and referred to the whole affair of Vitsum's allegation of him caressing her sacrum without her permission as "#sacrumgate" on Twitter (see: [https://www.conservapedia.com/File:David_Silverman%27s_Twitter_post_on_3-4-2020.png David Silverman's Twitter post on 3-4-2020]).<ref>[https://twitter.com/MrAtheistPants/status/1235307430378168324 Because I have to. #sacrumgate, David Silverman on Twitter, Mar 4, 2020 - Twitter]</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | David Silverman resigned his position as Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International in December of 2019.<ref>[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/12/20/after-misconduct-allegation-david-silverman-has-left-another-atheist-group/ After Misconduct Allegation, David Silverman Has Left Another Atheist Group] by BY [[Hemant Mehta]]</ref><ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nosacredcows/2019/12/david-silverman-leaves-yet-another-atheist-group-after-misconduct-investigation/ David Silverman Leaves Yet Another Atheist Group After Misconduct Investigation] by DAVID G. MCAFEE</ref><ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/20/david-silverman-is-out-again/ David Silverman is out, again] by PZ Myers</ref> See: [[Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | The atheist [[David Smalley]] did an interview with Rebecca Vitsum and she gave her account of David Silverman touching her sacrum without her permission, her thoughts about the matter and her court hearing endeavoring to get a restraining order against David Silverman (see: [https://www.spreaker.com/user/smalleyandhyso/447-vitsmun Rebecca Vitsmun Responds]).<ref>[https://www.spreaker.com/user/smalleyandhyso/447-vitsmun Rebecca Vitsmun Responds]</ref> During her interview with David Smalley she claimed that the touching of her sacrum caused her to become involuntarily sexually aroused.<ref>[https://youtu.be/mBwEAAlsz4o David Silverman Accused By Crazy Feminist Of Sexual Assault]</ref> The judge rejected her petition because the judge did not see a pattern of sexual harassment against her by Silverman.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6Xad0rGeo Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft]</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | On December 9, 2019, in a video about David Silverman, the [[YouTube atheism|atheist YouTuber]] [[Cult of Dusty]] said the atheist community is "cringe" and he said 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]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | Silverman claimed that he had an open relationship with his Jewish and [[theism|theist]] wife, but later admitted he lied about this matter and cheated on her.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/10/15/just-wives/ Just wives] by PZ Myers</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Silverman told atheist [[David Smalley]] in an interview that he suffers from [[depression]] and that he doubts his self-worth.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q-YBD8dl_E David Smalley On Social Justice In Atheism], go to the 1 hour 1 minutes and 18 second mark of the video]</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | On October 2, 2019, Silverman indicated the experience of being accused of sexual harrassment, being fired from the American Atheist organization and losing many of his former atheist friends caused him a "horrific level of pain" that "damaged" him and that he now has textbook symptoms of [[Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNXsS79iKs Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"]</ref> In addition, he had suicidal thoughts.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNXsS79iKs Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"]</ref> Furthermore, he said he now takes medication and he is still a damaged person.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNXsS79iKs Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"]</ref> | ||
+ | [[File:David Silverman's Twitter post on 3-4-2020.png|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Rebecca Vitsmun]] has filed a [[battery]] allegation with the police against atheist [[David Silverman]] and indicates he caressed her [[sacrum]] without her permission (the sacrum is the portion of the lower back that is above the tailbone).<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6Xad0rGeo Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft]</ref> | ||
+ | <br /> | ||
+ | <br /> | ||
+ | On March 4, 2020, Silverman mocked Vitsum's allegation and referred to the whole affair of Vitsum's allegation of him caressing her sacrum without her permission as "#sacrumgate" on Twitter (see: [https://www.conservapedia.com/File:David_Silverman%27s_Twitter_post_on_3-4-2020.png David Silverman's Twitter post on 3-4-2020]).<ref>[https://twitter.com/MrAtheistPants/status/1235307430378168324 Because I have to. #sacrumgate, David Silverman on Twitter, Mar 4, 2020 - Twitter]</ref> (Click on screen capture graphic above)]] | ||
+ | Silverman appeared on the YouTube channel of [[Carl Benjamin]], an atheist who is ant-feminist. PZ Myers indicated the video declared that "After falling victim to the #[[Me Too Movement|MeToo movement]], ex-leader of American Atheists David Silverman had his life totally destroyed by false allegations made by feminists in the atheist movement."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/david-silverman-was-a-proud-feminist/ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”], PZ Myers</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | David Silverman now says about his firing from the American Atheists organization: | ||
+ | {{Cquote|On April 10, 2018, I was suspended from American Atheists for very vague reasons and walked out of my office like a criminal. My 22 year career in activism with American Atheists died that day, due to lies. I was given zero due process, and the organization performed zero investigation before firing me, again like a criminal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Mind you, not everything was a lie, and I was not some innocent flower. I am guilty of saying yes to sexually engaging with a woman after she had asked me for a job in exchange for sex and I had told her no (on the job), and playing with my board member’s wife knowing he had vetoed the interaction. These are immoral acts and I own them. I have learned a lot since these events (through years of cognitive therapy which began in 2015) and would not make these mistakes again.<ref>[https://firebrandforgood.com/metoo/ David Silverman on the Me Too Movement within the atheist movement], David Silverman's website Firebrandforgood.com</ref>}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Timeline of Events in the David Silverman Firing == | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[https://the-orbit.net/almostdiamonds/2019/10/15/a-brief-timeline-of-events-in-the-david-silverman-firing/ A Brief Timeline of Events in the David Silverman Firing] by Stephanie Zvan | ||
== Silverman sues the American Atheists organization for defamation plus files lawsuits against women who accused him of sexual harassment == | == Silverman sues the American Atheists organization for defamation plus files lawsuits against women who accused him of sexual harassment == | ||
Line 8: | Line 39: | ||
''See also:'' [[Atheist lawsuits]] | ''See also:'' [[Atheist lawsuits]] | ||
− | Silverman has filed a defamation lawsuit against the women who accused him of sexual misconduct, BuzzFeed who reported the news story, and the American Atheists organization.<ref>[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/10/11/despite-misconduct-allegations-david-silverman-is-now-running-an-atheist-group/ Despite Misconduct Allegations, David Silverman Is Now Running an Atheist Group] BY HEMANT MEHTA</ref> | + | Silverman has filed a defamation lawsuit against the women who accused him of sexual misconduct, BuzzFeed who reported the news story, and the American Atheists organization.<ref>[https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/10/11/despite-misconduct-allegations-david-silverman-is-now-running-an-atheist-group/ Despite Misconduct Allegations, David Silverman Is Now Running an Atheist Group] BY HEMANT MEHTA</ref> On December 9, 2019, David Silverman's attorney withdrew from being his lawyer in his suit against American Atheists and Silverman will be acting as his own attorney.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/10/yikes-silverman-is-slapping-some-more/ Yikes, Silverman is SLAPPing some more] by PZ Myers</ref> |
+ | == David Silverman declares he is a former atheist activist == | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''See also:'' [[David Silverman's loss of public influence]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[File:David Silverman declares he is a former atheist activist 1-21-2020.png|thumbnail|200px|center|As can be seen above, in January of 2020, David Silverman declares he is a former [[atheist activist]] via his Twitter account.]] | ||
+ | {{Clear}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == American Atheist replacement of David Silverman. Commentary by atheist Ed Brayton == | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''See also:'' [[Atheism and leadership]] and [[Western atheism and race]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | When David Silverman was replaced by Nick Fish who is also a white male, the atheist [[Ed Brayton]] wrote: | ||
+ | {{Cquote|In the wake of the firing of David Silverman after allegations of sexual and financial misconduct, American Atheists has named Nick Fish, formerly the national program director for the group, as the new president to replace him. I find this news to be quite disappointing and it has nothing to do with Fish personally. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ...I’m disappointed that they didn’t take the opportunity to appoint a woman to lead the group. Especially in the wake of Silverman’s actions that led to his downfall, I think that would have sent a very important message. More than that, it would have helped bring a perspective that is far too often ignored, dismissed and even denigrated within the broad atheist community. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We need more women in positions of leadership, and more minorities as well. We need to stop being a community led mostly by old white men like me.<ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatches/2018/09/07/nick-fish-is-new-leader-of-american-atheists/ Nick Fish is New Leader of American Atheists], Ed Brayton, 2018</ref>}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == 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 [[Atheism and leadership]] and [[Atheism and the Me Too Movement]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | According to David Silverman there were [[Atheist feminism|atheist feminists]]/[[SJW atheists|progressive atheists]] attempting to get [[Atheist Alliance International]] (AAI) 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> David Silverman indicated that [[Secular Woman]] and its president Monette Richards was 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> | ||
+ | |||
+ | According to Silverman, the board of directors for AAI reviewed the evidence that Silverman presented maintaining his innocence of the sexual assault allegations that have been lodged against him and unamimously decided to hire him.<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> | ||
+ | |||
+ | For further details, please see: | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[[Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman]] | ||
+ | *[[Prominent atheists and adultery]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Atheist PZ Myers on David Silverman's career in light of recent accusations of sexual harassment == | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''See also:'' [[Atheism and leadership]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[File:PZ Myers at Skepticon 7.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|[[PZ Myers]] ]] | ||
+ | In a blog post entitled ''The secular predator problem'', the atheist [[PZ Myers]] wrote on David Silverman's career in light of the recent accusations of sexual harassment against him: | ||
+ | {{Cquote|If I were to give any advice to David, it would be to say that the path to being a good person is often counter to being an influential and powerful person. He wants the latter, but in light of his terrible assumptions and abuses, the only way forward for him is to accept some humility. He’s never going to be the bold, heroic atheist in the eyes of the people again … but then, most of us never were. We cope.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2019/12/14/the-secular-predator-problem/ ''The secular predator problem''] by atheist PZ Myers</ref>}} | ||
+ | |||
== 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 == | ||
Line 41: | Line 111: | ||
== David Silverman and sexual abuse allegations == | == David Silverman and sexual abuse allegations == | ||
+ | *[https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peteraldhous/david-silverman-atheist-fired-sexual-misconduct This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault], Buzzfeed | ||
*[https://sojo.net/articles/american-atheists-terminates-its-president-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations American Atheists Terminates Its President Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations] By Kimberly Winston, ''Religion News Service'' | *[https://sojo.net/articles/american-atheists-terminates-its-president-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations American Atheists Terminates Its President Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations] By Kimberly Winston, ''Religion News Service'' | ||
*[https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/04/17/american-atheists-fires-its-president-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations/ American Atheists fires its president over sexual misconduct allegations], ''Salt Lake Tribune'' | *[https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/04/17/american-atheists-fires-its-president-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations/ American Atheists fires its president over sexual misconduct allegations], ''Salt Lake Tribune'' | ||
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/04/16/american-atheists-answers-follow-up-questions-after-the-firing-of-its-president/ American Atheists Answers Follow-Up Questions After the Firing of Its President], ''[[Hemant Mehta|Friendly Atheist]]'' | *[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/04/16/american-atheists-answers-follow-up-questions-after-the-firing-of-its-president/ American Atheists Answers Follow-Up Questions After the Firing of Its President], ''[[Hemant Mehta|Friendly Atheist]]'' | ||
+ | == David McAfee on Rebecca Vitsmun's accusation of David Silverman inappropriately touching her == | ||
+ | |||
+ | ''See also:'' [[Rebecca Vitsmun]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nosacredcows/2019/12/david-silverman-accused-of-creepy-touching-after-his-return-to-leadership/ David Silverman Accused of “Creepy-Touching” After His Return to Leadership] by the journalist David G. McAfee | ||
== Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations == | == Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations == | ||
Line 55: | Line 131: | ||
*[[Atheism and women]] | *[[Atheism and women]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[[Atheist organizations and scandals]] | ||
*[[Atheism and leadership]] | *[[Atheism and leadership]] | ||
Line 64: | Line 142: | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
− | + | [[Category: David Silverman]] | |
[[Category:Atheism]] | [[Category:Atheism]] |
Latest revision as of 07:03, September 16, 2020
In 2018, David Silverman was fired after allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault.[2] Nick Fish, the new president of American Atheists, indicated that Silverman's termination was not over sexual assualt allegations, but as a result of a "loss of confidence" stemming from violations of internal policies on staff management, conflicts of interest, and their general code of conduct.[3] Silverman, through his lawyer, denies any wrong doing and indicates he has never had a non-consensual sexual encounter.[4] In 2019, atheists PZ Myers and Stephanie Zvan indicate that Silverman's attempts to improve his public image have failed.[5][6] In his book, Fighting God, Silverman indicates that he is a “proud feminist.” (See also: Atheism and sexism and Atheism and the Me Too Movement).[7]
After leaving two atheist organizations amid sexual harassment allegations, Silverman now calls himself a former atheist activist.[8] See: David Silverman's loss of public influence
In October 2019, he was hired to be the Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International (AAI)[9] In December 2019, the atheist blogger David G. McAfee reported that David Silverman has been suspended by AAI pending an investigation into an alleged inappropriate touching incident which allegedly occurred against the atheist woman Rebecca Vitsmun.[10] Silverman contends that he did not inappropriately touch Rebecca Vitsmun.[11]
Rebecca Vitsmun filed a restraining order against Silverman, but the judge denied her petition because the judge did not see a pattern of sexual harassment against her by Silverman.[12] Rebecca Vitsmun has filed a battery allegation with the police against atheist David Silverman and indicates he caressed her sacrum without her permission (the sacrum is a bone at the base of the lower back that is above the tailbone).[13] On March 4, 2020, Silverman mocked Vitsum's allegation and referred to the whole affair of Vitsum's allegation of him caressing her sacrum without her permission as "#sacrumgate" on Twitter (see: David Silverman's Twitter post on 3-4-2020).[14]
David Silverman resigned his position as Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International in December of 2019.[15][16][17] See: Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman
The atheist David Smalley did an interview with Rebecca Vitsum and she gave her account of David Silverman touching her sacrum without her permission, her thoughts about the matter and her court hearing endeavoring to get a restraining order against David Silverman (see: Rebecca Vitsmun Responds).[18] During her interview with David Smalley she claimed that the touching of her sacrum caused her to become involuntarily sexually aroused.[19] The judge rejected her petition because the judge did not see a pattern of sexual harassment against her by Silverman.[20]
On December 9, 2019, in a video about David Silverman, the atheist YouTuber Cult of Dusty said the atheist community is "cringe" and he said he doesn't want to have anything to do with it anymore.[21] See also: Decline of the atheist movement
Silverman claimed that he had an open relationship with his Jewish and theist wife, but later admitted he lied about this matter and cheated on her.[22]
Silverman told atheist David Smalley in an interview that he suffers from depression and that he doubts his self-worth.[23]
On October 2, 2019, Silverman indicated the experience of being accused of sexual harrassment, being fired from the American Atheist organization and losing many of his former atheist friends caused him a "horrific level of pain" that "damaged" him and that he now has textbook symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.[24] In addition, he had suicidal thoughts.[25] Furthermore, he said he now takes medication and he is still a damaged person.[26]
Silverman appeared on the YouTube channel of Carl Benjamin, an atheist who is ant-feminist. PZ Myers indicated the video declared that "After falling victim to the #MeToo movement, ex-leader of American Atheists David Silverman had his life totally destroyed by false allegations made by feminists in the atheist movement."[29]
David Silverman now says about his firing from the American Atheists organization:
“ | On April 10, 2018, I was suspended from American Atheists for very vague reasons and walked out of my office like a criminal. My 22 year career in activism with American Atheists died that day, due to lies. I was given zero due process, and the organization performed zero investigation before firing me, again like a criminal.
Mind you, not everything was a lie, and I was not some innocent flower. I am guilty of saying yes to sexually engaging with a woman after she had asked me for a job in exchange for sex and I had told her no (on the job), and playing with my board member’s wife knowing he had vetoed the interaction. These are immoral acts and I own them. I have learned a lot since these events (through years of cognitive therapy which began in 2015) and would not make these mistakes again.[30] |
” |
Timeline of Events in the David Silverman Firing
- A Brief Timeline of Events in the David Silverman Firing by Stephanie Zvan
Silverman sues the American Atheists organization for defamation plus files lawsuits against women who accused him of sexual harassment
See also: Atheist lawsuits
Silverman has filed a defamation lawsuit against the women who accused him of sexual misconduct, BuzzFeed who reported the news story, and the American Atheists organization.[31] On December 9, 2019, David Silverman's attorney withdrew from being his lawyer in his suit against American Atheists and Silverman will be acting as his own attorney.[32]
David Silverman declares he is a former atheist activist
See also: David Silverman's loss of public influence
American Atheist replacement of David Silverman. Commentary by atheist Ed Brayton
See also: Atheism and leadership and Western atheism and race
When David Silverman was replaced by Nick Fish who is also a white male, the atheist Ed Brayton wrote:
“ | In the wake of the firing of David Silverman after allegations of sexual and financial misconduct, American Atheists has named Nick Fish, formerly the national program director for the group, as the new president to replace him. I find this news to be quite disappointing and it has nothing to do with Fish personally.
...I’m disappointed that they didn’t take the opportunity to appoint a woman to lead the group. Especially in the wake of Silverman’s actions that led to his downfall, I think that would have sent a very important message. More than that, it would have helped bring a perspective that is far too often ignored, dismissed and even denigrated within the broad atheist community. We need more women in positions of leadership, and more minorities as well. We need to stop being a community led mostly by old white men like me.[33] |
” |
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 Atheism and leadership and Atheism and the Me Too Movement
According to David Silverman there were atheist feminists/progressive atheists attempting to get Atheist Alliance International (AAI) to fire David Silverman.[34] David Silverman indicated that Secular Woman and its president Monette Richards was trying to get the United Nations to revoke AAI's special consultative status with the UN in order to punish AAI for hiring Silverman.[35]
According to Silverman, the board of directors for AAI reviewed the evidence that Silverman presented maintaining his innocence of the sexual assault allegations that have been lodged against him and unamimously decided to hire him.[36]
For further details, please see:
Atheist PZ Myers on David Silverman's career in light of recent accusations of sexual harassment
See also: Atheism and leadership
In a blog post entitled The secular predator problem, the atheist PZ Myers wrote on David Silverman's career in light of the recent accusations of sexual harassment against him:
“ | If I were to give any advice to David, it would be to say that the path to being a good person is often counter to being an influential and powerful person. He wants the latter, but in light of his terrible assumptions and abuses, the only way forward for him is to accept some humility. He’s never going to be the bold, heroic atheist in the eyes of the people again … but then, most of us never were. We cope.[37] | ” |
See also: Decline of the atheist movement and Internet atheism
Contents
- 1 Timeline of Events in the David Silverman Firing
- 2 Silverman sues the American Atheists organization for defamation plus files lawsuits against women who accused him of sexual harassment
- 3 David Silverman declares he is a former atheist activist
- 4 American Atheist replacement of David Silverman. Commentary by atheist Ed Brayton
- 5 Atheist feminists/progressive atheists attempting to get Atheist Alliance International to fire David Silverman
- 6 Atheist PZ Myers on David Silverman's career in light of recent accusations of sexual harassment
- 7 Post sexual harassment allegations against Lawrence Krauss and David Silverman, searches for atheism related topics have dropped markedly
- 8 David Silverman and sexual abuse allegations
- 9 David McAfee on Rebecca Vitsmun's accusation of David Silverman inappropriately touching her
- 10 Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations
- 11 See also
- 12 Notes
David Silverman and sexual abuse allegations
- This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault, Buzzfeed
- American Atheists Terminates Its President Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations By Kimberly Winston, Religion News Service
- American Atheists fires its president over sexual misconduct allegations, Salt Lake Tribune
- American Atheists Answers Follow-Up Questions After the Firing of Its President, Friendly Atheist
David McAfee on Rebecca Vitsmun's accusation of David Silverman inappropriately touching her
See also: Rebecca Vitsmun
- David Silverman Accused of “Creepy-Touching” After His Return to Leadership by the journalist David G. McAfee
Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations
- Lawrence Krauss Faces Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct, Buzzfeed, 2018
- Facing Sexual Harassment Allegations, Physicist Lawrence Krauss Will Not Appear At Several Events - Buzzfeed, 2018
- When Lawrence Krauss was inappropriate with me, atheist Christina Rad
- More Organizations Cut Ties With Physicist Lawrence Krauss
See also
Notes
- ↑ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols) by Sarah at Skepchick, September 5, 2013
- ↑ This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault
- ↑ Leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out, Washington Post (republished article from Religion News Service) by Kimberly Winston, September 6, 2018
- ↑ American Atheists President David Silverman Fired After Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Christian Post, 2018
- ↑ David Silverman is failing Redemption 101 by PZ Myers
- ↑ David Silverman: Liar for the Defense by
- ↑ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”, PZ Myers
- ↑ David Silverman, ex-president of the American Atheists, after leaving two atheist organizations amid sexual harassment allegations, calls himself a former atheist activist
- ↑ David P. Silverman Appointed Executive Director
- ↑ David Silverman Suspended Pending Investigation Into Touching Incident
- ↑ Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft
- ↑ Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft
- ↑ Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft
- ↑ Because I have to. #sacrumgate, David Silverman on Twitter, Mar 4, 2020 - Twitter
- ↑ After Misconduct Allegation, David Silverman Has Left Another Atheist Group by BY Hemant Mehta
- ↑ David Silverman Leaves Yet Another Atheist Group After Misconduct Investigation by DAVID G. MCAFEE
- ↑ David Silverman is out, again by PZ Myers
- ↑ Rebecca Vitsmun Responds
- ↑ David Silverman Accused By Crazy Feminist Of Sexual Assault
- ↑ Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft
- ↑ David Silverman Accused Of "Creepy Touching" Again! Plus 50 Other topics! (CODcast 78)
- ↑ Just wives by PZ Myers
- ↑ David Smalley On Social Justice In Atheism, go to the 1 hour 1 minutes and 18 second mark of the video]
- ↑ Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"
- ↑ Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"
- ↑ Our Disharmony w/ David Silverman & the "Atheist Movement"
- ↑ Silverman / Vitsmun Hearing with commentary #Metoo FINALLY Meets Due Process #TakeBackTheLeft
- ↑ Because I have to. #sacrumgate, David Silverman on Twitter, Mar 4, 2020 - Twitter
- ↑ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”, PZ Myers
- ↑ David Silverman on the Me Too Movement within the atheist movement, David Silverman's website Firebrandforgood.com
- ↑ Despite Misconduct Allegations, David Silverman Is Now Running an Atheist Group BY HEMANT MEHTA
- ↑ Yikes, Silverman is SLAPPing some more by PZ Myers
- ↑ Nick Fish is New Leader of American Atheists, Ed Brayton, 2018
- ↑ David Silverman (Former President of American Atheist) talks to us about allegations against him.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ The secular predator problem by atheist PZ Myers
- ↑ Lawrence Krauss sent on paid leave by Arizona University in wake of harassment allegations, The Australian, 2018
- ↑ This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault