Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer, Ph.D. is the founder of The Skeptics Society, Editor in Chief of the magazine Skeptic and a historian of science. He and his organization investigate supernatural, pseudoscientific, pseudohistorical and extraordinary claims. He is a self-described libertarian and a Fundamentalist Christian turned skeptic/agnostic/atheist.[1][2][3][4]

For roughly two decades, Shermer has been spreading misinformation about the creationist movement through the Skeptic magazine and in person, in order to promote Darwinism.

In 2000, Michael Shermer wrote: "At the beginning of the twentieth century social scientists predicted that belief in God would decrease by the end of the century because of the secularization of society. In fact… the opposite has occurred… Not only is God not dead, as Nietzsche proclaimed, but he has never been more alive."[5] See also: Secularization thesis and Desecularization

In 2009, intelligent design proponents Dr. Stephen Meyer and Dr. Richard Sternberg debated Dr. Michael Shermer and Dr. Donald Prothero concerning on the topic of the origin of life.[6] The Discovery Institute declared concerning the debate:

“  |  To call the debate a massacre would be a discredit to Sitting Bull. The only thing I can say is that Shermer needs to add a point to his booklet on how to debate "creationists" — namely, leave Donald Prothero at home in his van by the river...

Some of the best points came later in the debate, when Sternberg slammed Prothero with factual put down after factual put down, citing the current literature time and again. His command of the subject matter — from population genetics to junk DNA — was so far and above beyond Shermer and Prothero's knowledge, so far above their pay grade, that it was almost painful to watch him school them point after point. As I said before, shortly you'll be able to watch the debate for yourself. But be warned, it isn't pretty.[7]

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An audio copy of the debate has been made available to the public.[6] In addition, the debate is available at YouTube.[8]

## Contents

* 1 Allegations of sexual harassment against Michael Shermer
* 1.1 Atheist PZ Myers on the sexual harassment allegations against Michael Shermer
* 2 Skeptic Michael Shermer: Google trends data from 2004 to 2020
* 3 References

## Allegations of sexual harassment against Michael Shermer[edit]

See also: Michael Shermer and sexual harassment allegations and Atheism and the Me Too Movement and Sexual harassment at atheist conferences

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."[9]

James Randi

Buzzfeed quotes atheist James Randi concerning Michael Shermer and the sexual harassment allegations against him:

“  |  “Shermer has been a bad boy on occasion — I do know that,” Randi told me. “I have told him that if I get many more complaints from people I have reason to believe, that I am going to have to limit his attendance at the conference.

“His reply,” Randi continued, “is he had a bit too much to drink and he doesn’t remember. I don’t know — I’ve never been drunk in my life. It’s an unfortunate thing … I haven’t seen him doing that. But I get the word from people in the organization that he has to be under better control. If he had gotten violent, I’d have him out of there immediately. I’ve just heard that he misbehaved himself with the women, which I guess is what men do when they are drunk.”[10]

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### Atheist PZ Myers on the sexual harassment allegations against Michael Shermer[edit]

See: PZ Myers on the sexual harassment allegations against Michael Shermer

## Skeptic Michael Shermer: Google trends data from 2004 to 2020[edit]

See also: Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms and Internet atheism

According to Google Trends from 2004 to 2020 there has been a decline in Google web searches for the term "Michael Shermer" in the world.

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v • d • e

Creation vs. evolution

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## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.michaelshermer.com/about-michael
2. ↑ http://www.michaelshermer.com/2005/06/why-i-am-an-atheist/
3. ↑ Shermer, Michael (2002). Why People Believe Weird Things. Henry Holt. p. 136
4. ↑ "Michael Shermer Interview". April 27, 2015. TheBestSchools.org. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
5. ↑ 90 Atheist Quotes that All Christians and Atheists Should Read, Website: Bishop's Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://greatcloud.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/audio-of-stephen-meyer-vs-michael-shermer-debate/
7. ↑ http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/12/ouch_intelligent_design_guys_p.html
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ThFiBLxtU&feature=PlayList&p=6C0852528AD4F139&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
9. ↑ Leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out by Kimberly Winston, Washington Post, 2018
10. ↑ Will Misogyny Bring Down The Atheist Movement? by Mark Oppenheimer, Buzzfeed 2014