Those who have come from Pz's blog, aka THAT thread

[DaveDodo007]

As it was the weekend I decided to leave this drama behind and go the pub with my family and friends, you know what it was great. Nearly everyone I know is either an atheist, agnostic or just doesn't give a shit about religion. I mentioned P Z Myers name a few times just as an experiment and nobody had even heard of him so I let the matter drop. I only know about him because back in the day he used to write a science blog, in meat space he is a nobody. I can't believe I let myself get so riled up over this drama and after this post it's history as far as I'm concerned. I'm going to just go back to posting bollocks in future.

[Faithfree]

To have a schism you need an orthodoxy and although Myers may be trying to impose one, there isn't one yet. If there ever is (which I doubt) I certainly will not be part of it.

I would simply like to see Pappa like to see my friend take responsibility for his actions without deflecting them with worse examples of PZ, and I'd like for my friends to do the same. I hold them to the standard they demand from others and in that department they failed pretty miserably I'm afraid.

And frankly, I am pretty disgusted with how much everyone is still crucifying PZ. That says much more about their own character than any dirty details about PZ's shortcomings. What do you think about the way he was bullied out of here? That was fucking deplorable, pitiful and shameful for me - they are friends claiming to want to engage in rational dialogue and didn't think for a moment about how they represented others in that light? I don't want any association that brand of hatefulness and derision. And I actually considered that we could show him a better way. So much for that fantasy.

I can see where PZ came from with all of this. He’s personal friends with many of the Skepchicks, is very familiar with their current issues, and has been championing for years against sexism in the atheist community. He simply shot from the hip without fully thinking through the situation and how best to respond, much the same way as happened with some of those responding back to him here. His tactics have been widely criticised, not always constructively, on a number of boards. Ultimately, he probably lost more followers than he gained. I agree with you Mai, that it’s time to look at this issue from a more rational perspective and stop the mindless PZ bashing.

[Hermit]

...it’s time to look at this issue from a more rational perspective and stop the mindless PZ bashing.

My dislike of PZ's conduct predates "this issue" by a couple of years, or more. It's not about to abate on account of recent events or any cooling down from them.

[Badger3k]

Sorry to be a bit one track right now, but I did want to point out the other side of the civility argument, two posts by Larry Moran and Chris Hallquist if anybody is interested. I doubt there's anything new to most people, but I did find Larry making good points. Different goals call for different tactics.

[laklak]

Ah, schism! This is PZ's equivalent of nailing his screed to the door like Martin Luther.

Religion I tell you, it's a religion!

Seems to be what PZ is trying to accomplish. A religion complete with a Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and nuns (aka Skepchicks, because with their attitude they ain't gettin none).

[Rum]

Ah, schism! This is PZ's equivalent of nailing his screed to the door like Martin Luther.

Religion I tell you, it's a religion!

Seems to be what PZ is trying to accomplish. A religion complete with a Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and nuns (aka Skepchicks, because with their attitude they ain't gettin none).

I'm sorry to be part of dragging this on, but I just wanted to say that I didn't know much about this guy other than his name and the fact he had an atheist blog which had a bit of an audience, until this issue cropped up. Since then I have read the blog and associated forum in some details and I have to say I come away a little alarmed at what he appears to be trying to do. One entry was recorded skype chat, which left me feeling that I am the 'wrong kind of atheist' because I have no desire to be an activist!

[tattuchu]

Whereas I've always felt that you were precisely the right kind of atheist, Rum.

[Rum]

Whereas I've always felt that you were precisely the right kind of atheist, Rum.

Well that is decent of you Tat. And I always thought you were the right kind of Englishman!

[Robert_S]

Whereas I've always felt that you were precisely the right kind of atheist, Rum.

A "dictionary atheist".

That's me most of the time too. I like dictionary definitions of words.

[laklak]

Being an activist isn't enough, you must be an activist within the confines of PZ's "progressive" agenda. Atheism is no longer to a simple lack of belief in a god or gods, it is a political movement, defined and presided over by the Grand High Inquisitor himself, Herr Professor Doktor Obergrupenfuhrer PZ. If you disagree you'll be restricted to TZT (whatever that is) and eventually banned.

[Rum]

Well one knows where one stands then doesn't one?

Making up stuff and all..no good for anyone!

[Twoflower]

If some atheist want to be activist, they should be able to without others making it an issue. And if some atheist don't want to be activist, they should be able to not be activist without others making it an issue.

[laklak]

PZ believes way too much of his own press, he actually thinks he is big and strong and powerful and influential enough to redefine the word "atheist". Well, fuck him.

[cogwheel]

Being an activist isn't enough, you must be an activist within the confines of PZ's "progressive" agenda. Atheism is no longer to a simple lack of belief in a god or gods, it is a political movement, defined and presided over by the Grand High Inquisitor himself, Herr Professor Doktor Obergrupenfuhrer PZ. If you disagree you'll be restricted to TZT (whatever that is) and eventually banned.

I started seeing signs of this attitude with his criticism of "dictionary atheists" a while back. I was really hoping to be wrong at the time...

[Twoflower]

PZ believes way too much of his own press, he actually thinks he is big and strong and powerful and influential enough to redefine the word "atheist". Well, fuck him.

Ok, we get it, PZ is self centered and thinks way too much of himself. Do we have to keep bringing it up and talking about the same thing over and over?