Atheists turning to cult behaviour?

[Alex K]

OK... I'm afraid you're losing me again.

We do have rules governing what people can do, the law. I'm not sure what else you're proposing? I'm unfamiliar with large groups,of atheists getting together and causing trouble which is getting out of hand.

Yeah... that... just isn't a thing, and isn't going to be. If anything, it's more about atheist themed organizations establishing a culture of respect and policing individuals to act according to certain standards of decency. Prominent personalities could speak out more clearly against bullies.

[robvalue]

You seem to be suggesting that atheists are above the law somehow, I don't get that.

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Sure, there's going to be subcultures. And if one of them causes problems, then we address it as a society.

[Alex K]

Although... what there is, is groups of people who have like online forums or so which are mainly dedicated to the obsession of hating certain individuals from movement atheism, and they can have quite a number of followers. They almost fit the bill, although they probably aren't a thing IRL. c.f. Rebecca Watson derangement syndrome.

[Spooky]

So since we don't have our own set of divinely inspired commandments we can't gather without being violent savages?

[Mudhammam]

Hello.

I've observed a growing trend in public interactions and online spaces in the way atheists behave. Bullying women, insulting gays, alienating anyone who doesn't subscribe to nerd culture. Is the lack of humanistic principles in Atheism leading to cult behavior? Or what else explains this?

It may not be a religion, but most atheists behave exactly like members of organized religion. Sorry if this has been brought up before. It's a worrying trend. A lot of late teen, early 20 atheists I've met won't think twice before using 'cunt' or 'faggot', or other such forms merciless insulting.

How long have you participated in online conversations? You have described pretty run-of-the-mill, middle school behavior, which many people, irregardless of their extravagant ideas and fetishes, seem more inclined to reveal online.

[SoFarEast]

Are you sure you're not confusing atheism with Christianity? You've described many of the things I hate about religion. Lets face it, most single deity religions are pretty misogynistic. And for the record, one of my best friends is gay.

I think almost all religions are misogynistic. They reserve the rights of symbol making and history to men, and restrict women to the role of maintaining paternal lineages having no rights to public discourse.

With atheists movements (online or public) bullying women, and the leadership (if I may call it that) being entirely male, how is this movement any less of a misogynistic cult?

[Alex K]

With atheists movements (online or public) bullying women, and the leadership (if I may call it that) being entirely male, how is this movement any less of a misogynistic cult?

The "leading figures" being almost exclusively male is a problem, but does not automatically imply misogyny. I would contest the statement that "atheist movements" bully women. That doesn't even seem to make sense.

[robvalue]

Ok I'm calling it, you're not for real.

If you are, you have some pretty skewed opinions based on very limited contact with atheists. Which is weird if you say you are an atheist.

[SoFarEast]

I'm unfamiliar with large groups of atheists getting together and causing trouble which gets out of hand. Can you give me any examples?

Well I don't know any examples of vandalism by atheist groups. I for one consider mockery, insulting, or threat of sexual assault to be trouble which is really out of hand, and one that the law will find hard to control.

[robvalue]

If you have any evidence for this behaviour, that you are apparently a part of as much as us, then please let's have it.