Atheism and sexism

James Randi

The atheist population is skewed towards having more men than women (see: Atheism and women). In addition, racial minorities in the Western World are underrepresented within the atheist population (see: Western atheism and race).

James Randi is a prominent atheist. Brian Thompson, former James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) Outreach Coordinator, wrote:

“  |  But I no longer identify with this community of benevolent know-it-alls, because not all of them are the best folks in the world. In fact, a good percentage of the top ten worst humans I’ve ever met are prominent members of the skeptics’ club. They’re dishonest, mean-spirited, narcissistic, misogynistic. Pick a personality flaw, and I can probably point you to someone who epitomizes it. And that person has probably had a speaking slot at a major skeptical conference.

I grew particularly disgusted with the boys’ club attitude I saw among skeptical leaders and luminaries. The kind of attitude that’s dismissive of women, sexually predatory, and downright gross. When I first started going to skeptical conferences as a fresh-faced know-it-all, I started hearing things about people I once admired. Then I started seeing things myself. Then I got a job with the JREF, and the pattern continued.[1]

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Richard Carrier

In 2018, Kimberly Winston wrote in The Washington Post:

“  |  Organized secularism has been struggling with charges of misogyny, sexism and sexual harassment for almost a decade. The problem went public in 2011 when... [an] atheist blogger, Rebecca Watson, described unwanted sexual advances from a man at an atheist conference who followed her into an elevator and to her hotel room.

She was flooded with both supportive and haranguing comments. World-renowned atheist Richard Dawkins told her to “stop whining” and “grow up.” Dawkins — whose appearances at secularist gatherings can make or break attendance — has been called out multiple times for sexist statements but remains much in demand as a speaker.

Richard Carrier, a science historian and popular secularist speaker, has both apologized for and denied accusations of unwanted sexual advances at secularist and atheist events. He has been banned from at least one conference.

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.

Most recently, cosmologist Lawrence Krauss, another star speaker and best-selling author, was suspended in the spring by Arizona State University for what it described as a decade of inappropriate behavior, some of it at secularist events.

The alleged misconduct of these leaders, “was tacitly co-signed by an atheist leadership that is largely hostile to social and gender justice and complicit in the marginalization of women’s issues,” said Sikivu Hutchinson, an activist who is often critical of organized atheism on the subject of women and people of color. “The atheist movement is no different from other male-dominated bastions in which sexual harassment and predatory behavior toward women are part of the culture.”[2]

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Atheist women currently experience a considerable amount of sexism and harassment from atheist men. For example, in 2014, the prominent atheist PZ Myers said of fellow New Atheist Richard Dawkins' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”[3] In 2014, the prominent New Atheist Sam Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.[4]

Dan Barker

Writing on the sexism within the atheist community, atheist Victoria Bekiempis wrote in a Guardian article entitled Why the New Atheism is a boys' club:

“  |  Annie Laurie Gaylor, who founded the Freedom From Religion Foundation with her mother, Anne Nicol Gaylor, in 1978, sums it up succinctly: “One word — sexism.” Gaylor’s husband, Dan Barker, who helms the organization along with her, is usually the one invited to speaking engagements, despite her longer tenure as the organization’s leader and her numerous books on atheism.[5] |  ”

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Katie Engelhart in her July 21, 2013 Salon article Atheism Has a Women Problem wrote:

“  |  Around the time that the Dawkins-Hitchens-Harris tripartite published its big wave of Atheist critique, historian Jennifer Michael Hecht published “ Doubt” and journalist Susan Jacoby published “ Freethinkers“—both critically acclaimed. And yet, these women, and many others, failed to emerge as public figures, household names. “Nobody talked about [Doubt] as a ‘phenomenon,’” Hecht has noted. “They just talked about the book.” What gives?

The lady Atheist has a troubled history....[6]

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## Contents

* 1 Center for Inquiry and accusations of sexism
* 1.1 Center for Inquiry accused of sexism by atheist Rebecca Watson
* 2 Atheist Jen McCreight on atheism and sexism
* 3 The Nation on atheism and sexism
* 3.1 Melody Hensley and harassment from atheist men
* 4 Nontheist Jex Blackmore on The Satanic Temple and sexual harassment
* 5 Atheism and rape
* 5.1 Atheism and mass rape
* 6 Rebecca Watson and harassment from atheist men post Elevatorgate
* 6.1 Additional information
* 7 Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations
* 7.1 Atheist Lawrence Krauss given a position on the Advisory Council of Atheist Alliance International subsequent to sexual assault allegations
* 8 David Silverman, former president of American Atheists, fired after sexual assault allegations
* 8.1 American Atheist replacement of David Silverman. Commentary by atheist Ed Brayton
* 9 Sikivu Hutchinson on the the Me Too Movement and organized atheism
* 10 Sam Harris and charges of misogny
* 11 Atheism, sexism and social Darwinism
* 12 Wendy Marsman leaves atheist movement due to sexual harassment within the movement and her fellow atheists being silent about it
* 13 Atheism and the sexual exploitation of women and children
* 13.1 Barna Group study
* 13.2 Atheism and child pornography
* 14 Atheistic China and gender discrimination
* 14.1 Atheism and Asian males
* 15 Atheism and women's rights
* 16 Atheist feminism
* 16.1 Atheist feminism post Me Too Movement
* 17 Journal article on New Atheism and sexism
* 18 Dan Barker Google Trends data contrasted with Annie Laurie Gaylor's data
* 19 RationalWiki.org, feminism and web visitor interest in pornography
* 19.1 Trustworthiness of websites linking to RationalWiki
* 20 Atheist websites appear to receive significantly less traffic from women
* 20.1 RationalWiki's lack of appeal to a women audience
* 21 Majority of Freethoughtblogs.com audience is male
* 22 See also
* 23 External links
* 24 Notes

## Center for Inquiry and accusations of sexism[edit]

See also: Center for Inquiry

A 2011 portrait of Rebecca Watson

In The Nation, Katha Pollitt wrote in ther article Atheists Show Their Sexist Side: "At the 2013 Women in Secularism conference, Ron Lindsay, CEO of the Center for Inquiry, gave what was widely regarded as a condescending lecture to the women in attendance, accusing them of feminist bullying. (After a huge outcry, he apologized. That was good.)"[7]

### Center for Inquiry accused of sexism by atheist Rebecca Watson[edit]

See also: Center for Inquiry and Atheism and women

According to the atheist Rebecca Watson, the atheist Lawrence Krauss sexually harassed several women onboard a cruise ship conducted by the Center for Inquiry.[8] Specifically, Watson said Krauss propositioned the woman to engage in a threesome and the woman complained to CFI about the matter.[9]

Rebecca Watson indicates the CFI decided to bury this complaint and allowed Krauss to be on one of its subsequent cruises.[10]

## Atheist Jen McCreight on atheism and sexism[edit]

See also: Sexual harassment at atheist conferences and Atheist conferences

Jen McCreight, founder of the Atheism plus movement stated:

“  |  When I first started going to atheist conferences, I was warned to avoid certain speakers because they were known for going after younger women. I was often approached after I gave talks, and people would make really lewd, sexual comments to me or basically be talking to my chest.[11] |  ”

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For additional information, please see: Sexual harassment at atheist conferences

## The Nation on atheism and sexism[edit]

In The Nation, Katha Pollitt also wrote in ther article Atheists Show Their Sexist Side:

“  |  At the grassroots level, women who speak up against harassment or sexism in the movement have been the target of disgusting attacks online, the sort of vicious obscenity and violent threats notoriously visited upon Anita Sarkeesian and other women in the gaming and tech worlds. If a recipient becomes angry or upset, that just proves she was weak and crazy to begin with. Let me tell you, I’ve seen a tiny sample of the missives directed at Melody Hensley, executive director of the Center for Inquiry–DC, and I can see why she suffers from PTSD. “I receive harassment all day long every day on social media. I also receive threats daily. I have had dozens of videos made about me, harassing me,” she says. “Everything I write online is compiled by my harassers. Even though I know the Internet is public, it’s eerie being watched every moment. I have had people call my home and tell me that they were going to kill me.”[12] |  ”

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### Melody Hensley and harassment from atheist men[edit]

On May 15, 2014, the Washington Post reported that Melody Hensley, executive director of the Washington branch of the Center For Inquiry, was "diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a vicious flood of online and social media attacks that included threats of rape, murder and photographs of dismembered women. Many of her harassers, she believes, are men in the secular community."[13]

## Nontheist Jex Blackmore on The Satanic Temple and sexual harassment[edit]

See also: The Satanic Temple and Atheist organizations and Atheist organizations and scandals and Atheism and rape

The nontheist Jex Blackmore, who had been a national spokesperson for TST, wrote about The Satanic Temple and sexual harassment:

“  |  As one of the few visible and prominent female voices in TST, I endured countless threats, harassment, and violations...

Over the years, members and chapter heads have requested and proposed the implementation of a gender, sexual, and racial diversity policy to ensure equity within TST leadership and alignment to the mission. The demand was not simply ignored but completely dismissed. The demand was not hollow; there was a clear and pressing need for this policy. While I was part of the organization, I witnessed male members of the organization exploit their position and influence to behave inappropriately and disrespectfully towards women. I myself experienced harassment and abuse from members who have now left the organization. I was not supported by leadership during these times, but was asked to let it all “blow over.”[14]

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## Atheism and rape[edit]

* Atheism and rape

### Atheism and mass rape[edit]

* Mass rape during the occupation of Germany

## Rebecca Watson and harassment from atheist men post Elevatorgate[edit]

See also: Elevatorgate

Rebecca Watson

Post Elevatorgate controversy, at an atheist convention, Rebecca Watson claimed: "Hundreds of atheists have informed me that either they wanted to rape me, someone should rape me so that I will loosen up or that no one would ever rape me because I am so ugly".[15]

In July 2012, Watson declared: "It get regular rape threats. I get regular rape and murder threats".[16] Furthermore, in August 2013, Rebecca Watson said that post Elevatorgate she received a flood of rape threats and she continues to receive rape threats (see: Atheism and rape).[17]

### Additional information[edit]

For more information please see:

* Atheism and women

* Irreligion and domestic violence

* Atheism and rape

* Elevatorgate

* Richard Dawkins and women

## Atheist Lawrence Krauss and sexual abuse allegations[edit]

* 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

### Atheist Lawrence Krauss given a position on the Advisory Council of Atheist Alliance International subsequent to sexual assault allegations[edit]

Despite Atheist Alliance International being aware of sexual assault allegations against Lawrence Krauss and their subsequent investigation by Arizona State University which punished Krauss, Krauss was given a position on the Advisory Council of Atheist Alliance International.[18]

## David Silverman, former president of American Atheists, fired after sexual assault allegations[edit]

See also: Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization and Atheist organizations and scandals and Atheist feminism and Atheist hypocrisy

David Silverman took feminist Rebecca Watson off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after Richard Dawkins objected to her speaking at the event.[19] See: Elevatorgate

David Silverman served as the President of the American Atheists organization. [20] Silverman was fired after allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault.[21] 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.[22] Silverman, through his lawyer, denies any wrong doing and indicates he has never had a non-consensual sexual encounter.[23] See: Firing of David Silverman from the American Atheists organization

In December 2019, the atheist blogger David G. McAfee reported that David Silverman has been suspended by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) pending an investigation into an alleged inappropriate touching incident.[24] See: Atheist Alliance International's hiring of David Silverman

In his book, Fighting God, Silverman indicates that he is a “proud feminist”.[25]

Concerning Silverman's scandals and subsequent firing, atheist and feminist PZ Myers said, "It's a terrible day for organized atheism."[26] Myers spent $1200 for a lifetime membership with American Atheists because he was impressed by the way Silverman went after the “anti-feminist” atheists.[27] See also: Decline of the atheist movement

### American Atheist replacement of David Silverman. Commentary by atheist Ed Brayton[edit]

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.[28]

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## Sikivu Hutchinson on the the Me Too Movement and organized atheism[edit]

Sikivu Hutchinson

See also: Atheism and the Me Too Movement and Atheism and women

In an article entitled Hiring of Accused Atheist Leader Is Reminder That #MeToo Is Still Needed in Organized Atheism, the atheist Sikivu Hutchinson wrote about the hiring of David Silverman by the organization Atheist Alliance International:

“  |  The recent decision by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) to hire the former leader of American Atheists, David Silverman, to its executive director position is yet another indication that this business-as-usual rehab strategy also applies to movement atheism, which can be just as corrupt, cronyistic, and swaggeringly hostile to women as corporate America.[29] |  ”

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David Silverman resigned his position as Executive Director of Atheist Alliance International in December of 2019.[30]

## Sam Harris and charges of misogny[edit]

Sam Harris

Like his fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris has raised the ire of feminists.[31][32][33]

In 2014, Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.[34]

On October 3, 2014, Salon magazine published an online article titled, Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?[35] On September 20, 2014, the feminist blogger Libby Anne wrote an article entitled Is Sam Harris Sexist?[36] Atheist Sam Fincke wrote a piece entitled On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics.[37]

In his defense, Harris published an article on his website titled, “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”[38]

## Atheism, sexism and social Darwinism[edit]

Herbert Spencer was a proponent of Social Darwinism.

Marcie Bianco wrote in her Quartz article Brazen sexism is pushing women out of America’s atheism movement:

“  |  There are two predominant reasons that can explain why sexism exists in the atheism movement. The first reason is the influence of social Darwinism. Philip Kitcher, professor of philosophy at Columbia University, wrote in The New York Times in 2012 that the first tenet of social Darwinism is the belief that “people have intrinsic abilities and talents (and, correspondingly, intrinsic weaknesses), which will be expressed in their actions and achievements, independently of the social, economic and cultural environments in which they develop.” A concept such as “men are from mars, women are from Venus” is one version of such gender-essentialist, social Darwinist ideas.

In the atheism movement, social Darwinism has played out as the justifiable assault of women by (naturally) aggressive men. Buzzfeed’s Mark Oppenheimer detailed many accounts of alleged sexism, sexual assault and coercion in his excellent exposé on the atheism movement. “Some women say they are now harassed or mocked at conventions, and the online attacks—which include Jew-baiting, threats of anal rape, and other pleasantries—are so vicious that two activists I spoke with have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder,” he writes.

Oppenheimer also writes that James Randi, chair of annual atheist gathering The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM), used biological essentialism to rationalize alleged sex crimes and sexual harassment. Randi’s comments were in response to accusations made by multiple women against Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic magazine. “[Shermer] had a bit too much to drink and he doesn’t remember. I don’t know,” Randi muses. “I’ve just heard that he misbehaved himself with the women, which I guess is what men do when they are drunk.”[39]

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## Wendy Marsman leaves atheist movement due to sexual harassment within the movement and her fellow atheists being silent about it[edit]

In 2018, the atheist Wendy Marsman, founder of the Women Beyond Belief podcast, left the atheist movement due to women being sexually harassed within the atheist movement and fellow atheists being reluctant to speak out about it.[40]

## Atheism and the sexual exploitation of women and children[edit]

The pornographer Larry Flynt is an atheist.[41][42] See: Atheism and hedonism

The infamous pornographers Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt are both atheists.[43][44][45]

In 2003, Arena magazine magazine listed Flynt as #1 on the "50 Powerful People in Porn" list.[46] Flynt is paralyzed from the waist down due to injuries sustained from a 1978 assassination attempt by the serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin.[47][48]

For more information, please see: Atheism and pornography

### Barna Group study[edit]

The Barna Group found that atheists and agnostics in America were more likely, than theists in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: pornography; obscene sexual behavior; illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; abortion; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage and obscene language.[49]

For more information, please see: Atheism and pornography

### Atheism and child pornography[edit]

See also: Atheism and child pornography

Historically, atheistic societies/individuals have played a significant role in the production and usage of child pornography (See: Atheism and child pornography).

## Atheistic China and gender discrimination[edit]

The New York Times reported: "According to corporate records examined by The New York Times, fewer than 1 in 10 board members of China’s top 300 companies are women. That measure, significantly smaller than the proportion of women on corporate boards in the United States..."[50]

See also: Atheistic China and sexism and Atheism and Asian males and Atheistic China and gender based workplace discrimination

Most atheists are likely East Asian (see: Asian atheism)

China has the world's largest atheist population.[51][52] See also: China and atheism

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.[53] See: Global atheism and Western atheism and race

The New York Times reported:

“  |  Chinese women are losing ground in the work force compared with men, their representation falling steadily with each rung up the professional ladder. Women make up 44.7 percent of the work force, but just 25.1 percent of people with positions of “responsibility,” according to China’s 2010 census.

At the very top, their share falls still further.

According to corporate records examined by The New York Times, fewer than 1 in 10 board members of China’s top 300 companies are women. That measure, significantly smaller than the proportion of women on corporate boards in the United States...

“Chinese law doesn’t define gender discrimination, so how do you even argue a case?” he asked. “It’s very, very difficult to get one into court.”

Companies need not bother with subtlety in job advertisements. A maker of security cameras seeks sales managers: No women need apply. A company that sells box cutters is looking for a human resources manager: male, age 25 to 35.[54]

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Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher born in Lu (modern day Shandong province).

Yi-Ling Liu of the Associated Press reported in 2018 about atheistic China and sexism:

“  |  Activists say the decline in women's status that began with the economic reforms of the 1980s accelerated as the party set aside leftist politics as a unifying message for the country and instead promoted more traditional, male-dominated Confucian beliefs.

The gulf between the sexes is especially pronounced at the highest levels of politics: The ruling party's Standing Committee, the inner circle of power, has never had a female member. In the next tier, a single woman sits in the larger 25-member Politburo...

Still, in a 2011 survey the federation also found women's wages were on average two-thirds lower than men's. And the share of women in the labor force dropped to 61 percent last year from 72 percent 20 years ago, according to the World Bank.

Party leaders are worried China is producing too few children to support its aging population, said Leta Hong-Fincher, a sociologist and author of "Betraying Big Brother: The Rise of China's Feminist Resistance," due out later this year. "The government launched a propaganda campaign referring to single, over-educated women over 30 as 'leftover' to stigmatize women into returning home, getting married and having babies," Ms. Hong-Fincher said...

In the more conservative countryside, women who suffer from domestic violence and sexual assault "tend to blame themselves rather than speak out publicly," said Li Maizi, a women's rights activist who was detained in 2015 for handing out stickers protesting sexual harassment.

Chinese leaders are trying to suppress feminist activism as a source of potential unrest, Ms. Li said, adding that even the term feminism has become politically sensitive.[55]

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### Atheism and Asian males[edit]

See: Atheism and Asian males

## Atheism and women's rights[edit]

See also: Atheism and women's rights

## Atheist feminism[edit]

See: Atheist feminism

### Atheist feminism post Me Too Movement[edit]

See: Atheism and the Me Too Movement

## Journal article on New Atheism and sexism[edit]

New Atheism was form of militant atheism in terms of its rhetorical style.

Below is a journal article on New Atheism and sexism.

* Secular sexism: The persistence of gender inequality in the US New Atheist Movement, Women's Studies International Forum, Volume 72, January–February 2019, Pages 47-55

## Dan Barker Google Trends data contrasted with Annie Laurie Gaylor's data[edit]

As noted above, writing on the sexism within the atheist community, atheist Victoria Bekiempis wrote in a Guardian article entitled Why the New Atheism is a boys' club:

“  |  Annie Laurie Gaylor, who founded the Freedom From Religion Foundation with her mother, Anne Nicol Gaylor, in 1978, sums it up succinctly: “One word — sexism.” Gaylor’s husband, Dan Barker, who helms the organization along with her, is usually the one invited to speaking engagements, despite her longer tenure as the organization’s leader and her numerous books on atheism.[56] |  ”

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Below is Google Trends data of Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor.

According to Google Trends, there are considerably more Google searches for Dan Barker than Annie Laurie Gaylor. In addition, according to Google Trends from January 2004 to January 2020, there was a considerable decline of search volume for Dan Barker than Annie Laurie Gaylor.

## RationalWiki.org, feminism and web visitor interest in pornography[edit]

See also: RationalWiki and web visitor interest in pornography and Atheism and child pornography

RationalWiki.org is a politically left leaning website that skews towards atheism/agnosticism in terms of its worldview.

RationalWiki tries to portray itself as a thinking person's wiki where the editors carefully analyze various matters. But the SimilarWeb.com data shows a significant portion of RationalWiki's web audience is interested in "adult" material as can be seen by the "adult" audience interests in the above graphic.

Atheists have played a significant role in both the production and consumption of pornographic material (See: Atheism and pornography and Atheism and child pornography).

Many feminists contend that pornography exploits women.[57] RationalWiki is a pro-feminism website.[58]

For more information, please see: RationalWiki and web visitor interest in pornography

### Trustworthiness of websites linking to RationalWiki[edit]

According to the leading search engine optimization website Search Engine Land: "Citation Flow is a number of predicting how influential a URL might be based on how many sites link to it. Trust Flow is a number predicting how trustworthy a page is based on how trustworthy sites tend to link to trustworthy neighbors."[59]

As far as a website's domain, high authority and trustworthy websites commonly have their trustflow metric higher than their citation flow metric. As can been above, RationalWiki has the exact opposite. Perhaps its web visitors who visit adult websites link to RationalWiki from low quality websites that are untrusted.

## Atheist websites appear to receive significantly less traffic from women[edit]

See also: Atheist websites appear to receive significantly less traffic from women

Monica Shores Ms. Magazine article titled Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women? was one of the first articles criticizing the New Atheism movement for being sexist.[60] She also cited Conservapedia in her article and indicated: "The lack of lady presence is so visible that Conservapedia commented on it by noting that Dawkins’ website overwhelmingly attracts male visitors."[61] According to the website tracking firm Alexa, women frequent the website of richarddawkins.net significantly less than men.[62]

The website Freethought Blogs has significantly less women visiting their website than men according to the web traffic tracking company SimilarWeb.com.[63]

### RationalWiki's lack of appeal to a women audience[edit]

See also: RationalWiki's lack of appeal to a women audience

RationalWiki.org is a politically left-leaning website that skews towards atheism/agnosticism in terms of its worldview. RationalWiki has a small fraction of the web traffic it had before October 2019 (see: RationalWiki and web traffic).

According to the leading web marketing website SimilarWeb.com, RationalWiki's audience skews heavily male.

## Majority of Freethoughtblogs.com audience is male[edit]

According to the leading web marketing website Similarweb.com, the majority of Freethoughtblogs.com traffic consists of males.

Despite the pro-feminism stance of Freethoughblogs it hasn't been able to attract a higher percentage of a female audience.

## See also[edit]

* Post sexual harassment allegations against Lawrence Krauss and David Silverman, searches for atheism related topics have dropped markedly

* Richard Carrier's defamation lawsuits against fellow atheists (involve sexual harrassment allegations against him)

* Christianity and women's rights

* Western atheism and race

* Atheism and its anti-civilizational effects

## External links[edit]

* Will Misogyny Bring Down The Atheist Movement? by Mark Oppenheimer
* Do Atheists Have a Sexual Harassment Problem? By Kimberly Winston, Religion News Service
* Of sexism and atheism: Richard Dawkins gets in trouble with feminists, Washington Times
* Do atheists have a sexism problem?, Huffington Post
* Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name, The Guardian
* Atheists Show Their Sexist Side, The Nation

v • d • e

Atheism

Atheism • Rebuttal • Morals • Academics • Quotes • Christianity • Debate • Evolution • Atheism and the suppression of science • Mass Murder • Communism • Atheist Shooters and Serial Killers • Mental and Physical Health • Miracles • Morality • Uncharitableness • Agnosticism • Deception • The Bible • The Problem of Evil • Agenda • Psychology • Population • Prison Statistics • Racism • Atheism and women • Brights Movement • Causes • Death Toll • Definitions • Evangelical atheist • Ex-atheists • Faith Freedom International • Godless: The Church of Liberalism‎ • Godless liberal • His Dark Materials • History • Liberalism • Militancy • New Atheism • Videos • Skeptics Annotated Bible • Strong atheism • The God Delusion • There Are No Atheists In Foxholes • Weak atheism

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Myers, P. Z. (March 31, 2014). "When will this situation improve?". Freethoughtblogs.com/Pharyngula.
2. ↑ America’s leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out by Kimberly Winston September 6, 2018, The Washington Post
3. ↑ Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name by Adam Lee, The Guardian, September 18, 2014
4. ↑ Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name by Adam Lee, The Guardian, September 18, 2014
5. ↑ Why the New Atheism is a boys' club
6. ↑ Katie Engelhart, July 21, 2013 - Salon article Atheism Has a Women Problem
7. ↑ Atheists Show Their Sexist Side by Katha Pollitt, The Nation
8. ↑ Jeffrey Epstein, Lawrence Krauss, and Firing your Heroes into the Sun" by Rebecca Watson
9. ↑ Jeffrey Epstein, Lawrence Krauss, and Firing your Heroes into the Sun" by Rebecca Watson
10. ↑ Jeffrey Epstein, Lawrence Krauss, and Firing your Heroes into the Sun" by Rebecca Watson
11. ↑ Atheism - Sexism = Atheism +
12. ↑ Atheists Show Their Sexist Side by Katha Pollitt, The Nation
13. ↑ Women in secularism: Got a problem with that?
14. ↑ Will the Friendly Atheist Ever Learn?, September 2018
15. ↑ PZ Myers and the Art of Shameless Dishonesty
16. ↑ FreeThoughtBlogs and PZ Myers
17. ↑ Sikivu, Ophelia, and Rebecca — who says atheism lacks women stars?
18. ↑ You didn’t think Atheist Alliance International was a respectable organization, did you? by PZ Myers
19. ↑ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols) by Sarah at Skepchick, September 5, 2013
20. ↑ http://www.atheists.org/about/Board_of_Directors
21. ↑ This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault
22. ↑ Leading atheist, accused of sexual misconduct, speaks out, Washington Post (republished article from Religion News Service) by Kimberly Winston, September 6, 2018
23. ↑ American Atheists President David Silverman Fired After Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Christian Post, 2018
24. ↑ David Silverman Suspended Pending Investigation Into Touching Incident
25. ↑ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”
26. ↑ David Silverman fired from American Atheists by PZ Myers
27. ↑ David Silverman was a “Proud Feminist”
28. ↑ Nick Fish is New Leader of American Atheists, Ed Brayton, 2018
29. ↑ Hiring of Accused Atheist Leader Is Reminder That #MeToo Is Still Needed in Organized Atheism by Sikivu Hutchinson, Rewire News
30. ↑ David Silverman is out, again by PZ Myers
31. ↑ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris? by Amanda Marcotte, Salon magazine, October 3, 2014
32. ↑ Is Sam Harris Sexist? by Libby Anne at the blog Love, Joy, Feminism, September 20, 2014
33. ↑ Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments by Heather Tomlinson, Christianity Today, September 17, 2014
34. ↑ Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments by Heather Tomlinson, Christianity Today, September 17, 2014
35. ↑ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris? by Amanda Marcotte, Salon magazine, October 3, 2014
36. ↑ Is Sam Harris Sexist? by Libby Anne at the blog Love, Joy, Feminism, September 20, 2014
37. ↑ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014
38. ↑ “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For” by Sam Harris, September 15, 2014
39. ↑ Brazen sexism is pushing women out of America’s atheism movement
40. ↑ Leaving the Atheist Movement - New Focus for the Podcast by Wendy Marsman
41. ↑ Flynt writes, "I have left my religious conversion behind and settled into a comfortable state of atheism": see the epilogue of Flynt and Ross
42. ↑ "I am not saying he don't believe in God. I am just saying I don't believe in God. That puts me at odds with him." Larry King Live, January 10, 1996
43. ↑ 10 celebs you didn't know were atheists, Salon 2-23-2010
44. ↑ Flynt writes, "I have left my religious conversion behind and settled into a comfortable state of atheism": see the epilogue of Flynt and Ross
45. ↑ "I am not saying he don't believe in God. I am just saying I don't believe in God. That puts me at odds with him." Larry King Live, January 10, 1996
46. ↑ Larry Flynt - One News Page
47. ↑ Flynt and Ross, pp. 170–171.
48. ↑ Larry Flynt - One News Page
49. ↑ http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard
50. ↑ In China’s Modern Economy, a Retro Push Against Women by DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW and MICHAEL FORSYTHE, New York Times, FEB. 20, 2015
51. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)
52. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, Washington Post By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013
53. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, Washington Post, May 23, 2013
54. ↑ In China’s Modern Economy, a Retro Push Against Women by DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW and MICHAEL FORSYTHE, New York Times, FEB. 20, 2015
55. ↑ Chinese activists decry so-called 'female morality schools'
56. ↑ Why the New Atheism is a boys' club
57. ↑ Feminist Perspectives on Sex Markets, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, October 6, 2020
58. ↑ RationalWiki - Feminism
59. ↑ Majestic SEO Announces New Link Metrics: Trust Flow & Citation Flow
60. ↑ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women by Monica Shores, Ms. Magazine
61. ↑ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women by Monica Shores, Ms. Magazine
62. ↑ Alexa data for Richarddawkins.net
63. ↑ Freethoughtblogs - SimilarWeb.com: Demographics