Atheists turning to cult behaviour?

[SoFarEast]

I think his criticism is rather apt. Rather than working to change what is obviously a serious problem in your society, one that extends to violent assault against women, you come to an Internet forum and start throwing around comparisons to cults, and overbroad accusations of homophobia and sexism?

Seems to me like you ought to have bigger fish to fry.

No one argues that there is sexism and homophobia in atheist ranks. Many of us here have, both here and elsewhere, have spoken up vociferously regarding those failings, both within the atheist community (such as it is), and in our broader society. To then have someone come in and castigate us as being cultish bigots without noting that he's living in a society where such problems extend much, much deeper -- well, I suppose Internet activism is cheaper.

Have you done anything to help alleviate the plights of Indian women?

Cato's criticism applies to himself. That's what he misses. He did as little by telling me what to do, as you say I'm doing by telling someone else what to do. Truth be said, your criticism of me applies to yourself.

I do agree entirely without criticism of me. I'm doing little to make the plight of women better by coming here. But then that's not really what I wanted to do. I was honestly more curios as to the merits of movements like secular humanism and as to whether people saw a rational basis in it. We have no such movements here (none I know of).

Yes, my initial post can easily be assumed of accusing atheists to be bigoted cultists. But no, I was not getting at that. And heck, if there is a way to change the thread title please let me know. It's the first thing I'd do.

I'm a young man, and have limited resources. But I do what I can. If someone knows how things can be done better, I would, I would try my best. I mean it. And I'm sure telling me "Go fuck yourself" isn't going to help the plight of women in India.

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The reason for that is because atheism doesn't address relations between the genders, or differences in sexuality. You're stretching the term beyond its meaning.

Perhaps it might help you to understand that not all atheists are rational people. But yes, you were making an overbroad generalization.

I agree that atheists should do more to combat sexism and homophobia within its ranks. I also think that greater good is served when they address sexism and homophobia in the wider world outside the atheist terrarium -- because there are many religions which openly advocate for sexism, bigotry, and so on.

I agree. I have also admitted to being unaware of proper ways to combat sexism. This thread actually directed me to people I can take it up with if need be.

I have however been put into an uncomfortable spot having to defend a claim I didn't make, that atheism leads to bigotry. It wasn't my intention. And in my attempts to deflect these claims, I think a mess has resulted.