Difference between revisions of "Impact of the New Atheism"

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The "New Atheism" has not had much of an impact in terms of gaining new adherents to atheism. In a March 10, 2008 [[USA Today]] article Stephen Prothero stated the following regarding the impact of the "New Atheism":
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The "[[New Atheism]]" has not had much of an impact in terms of gaining new adherents to atheism. In a March 10, 2008 [[USA Today]] article Stephen Prothero stated the following regarding the impact of the "New Atheism":
 
{{cquote|Numbers lie, but they also tell tales untrustworthy and otherwise. So the key question stirring around the much discussed U.S Religious Landscape Survey released in late February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is what tale does it state about the state of the union.
 
{{cquote|Numbers lie, but they also tell tales untrustworthy and otherwise. So the key question stirring around the much discussed U.S Religious Landscape Survey released in late February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is what tale does it state about the state of the union.
  
 
For some, the story of this survey, based on interviews in multiple languages with more than 35,000 adults, is the strength of American Religion.
 
For some, the story of this survey, based on interviews in multiple languages with more than 35,000 adults, is the strength of American Religion.
  
−
Not too long ago, I wrote that American atheism was going the way of the freak show. As books by Christopher Hitchens and other "new atheists" climbed the best seller lists, I caught a lot of flak for that prophecy. But atheist make up only 1.6% of respondents to this survey....<ref>American Faith: A Work In Progress by Stephen Prothero, USA Today, March 10, 2008, page 11A</ref>}}
+
Not too long ago, I wrote that American atheism was going the way of the freak show. As books by [[Christopher Hitchens]] and other "new atheists" climbed the best seller lists, I caught a lot of flak for that prophecy. But [[atheism|atheist]] make up only 1.6% of respondents to this survey....<ref>American Faith: A Work In Progress by Stephen Prothero, USA Today, March 10, 2008, page 11A</ref>}}
 +
[[File:Richard Dawkins Stockholm.JPG|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
 +
A prime reason for the ineffectiveness of the "New Atheism" is the shallowness of its material. For example, as noted earlier even atheist philosopher Michael Ruse stated that [[Richard Dawkins]]' book ''[[The God Delusion]]'' made him "embarrassed to be an atheist".<ref name="TDD3">http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/47052/?page=3</ref>
  
−
A prime reason for the ineffectiveness of the "New Atheism" is the shallowness of its material. For example, as noted earlier even atheist philosopher Michael Ruse stated that Richard Dawkins' book ''The God Delusion'' made him "embarrassed to be an atheist".<ref name="TDD3">http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/47052/?page=3</ref>
+
The "New Atheism" largely has an unfavorable view outside the United States as well. The [[liberal]] leaning British publication [[the Guardian]] stated the following regarding the "New Atheism":
−
 
 
−
The "New Atheism" largely has a unfavorable view outside the United States as well. The [[liberal]] leaning British publication [[the Guardian]] stated the following regarding the "New Atheism":
 
 
{{cquote|Anti-[[faith]] proselytizing is a growth industry. But its increasingly hysterical flag-bearers are heading for a spectacular failure...
 
{{cquote|Anti-[[faith]] proselytizing is a growth industry. But its increasingly hysterical flag-bearers are heading for a spectacular failure...
  
 
These increasingly hysterical books may boost the pension, they may be morale boosters for a particular kind of American atheism that feels victimized - the latest candidate in a flourishing American tradition - but one suspects that they are going to do very little to challenge the appeal of a phenomenon they loathe too much to understand.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2074076,00.html</ref>}}
 
These increasingly hysterical books may boost the pension, they may be morale boosters for a particular kind of American atheism that feels victimized - the latest candidate in a flourishing American tradition - but one suspects that they are going to do very little to challenge the appeal of a phenomenon they loathe too much to understand.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2074076,00.html</ref>}}
 +
 +
== New Atheism movement and contention between atheist men and women ==
 +
 +
''See also:'' [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Atheism and arrogance]]
 +
 +
Founders of the New Atheism movement Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, have elevated the amount of contention between men and women within the atheist population and there are now frequently complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and that its leadership is too heavily populated with men.<ref>[http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?], Ms. Magazine</ref><ref>
 +
*[https://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
 +
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
 +
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
 +
*[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
 +
*[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
 +
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
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*[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
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</ref><ref>
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*[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014
 +
*[https://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014
 +
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014
 +
*[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref> 
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=== Richard Dawkins and Elevatorgate ===
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[[File:David-Allen-Green.jpg|thumbnail|200px|[[David Allen Green]] wrote: "Can [[Richard Dawkins]] still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> ]]
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[[Elevatorgate]] is a term commonly used to describe a scandal involving new atheist Richard Dawkins' 2011 comments made to atheist [[Rebecca Watson]] which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the [[Atheism|atheist]] community and to the public at large.<ref>
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*[https://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
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*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
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*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
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*[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
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*[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011
 +
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am
 +
*[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/09/is-richard-dawkins-destroying-his-reputation Is Richard Dawkins destroying his reputation?] by Sophie Elmhirst, ''The Guardian'', June 9, 2015
 +
</ref>
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Subsequently, Richard Dawkins was widely criticized within the [[Atheist movement|atheist community]] and in various press outlets for his insensitive comments made to atheist Rebecca Watson about the incident which occurred in an elevator (see: [[Richard Dawkins' Elevatorgate comments|Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments]]).<ref>
 +
*[https://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
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*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
 +
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
 +
*[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]</ref> 
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According to Rebecca Watson atheist women are often punished for being outspoken - particularly when they speak about [[feminism]].<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> In August 2013, Watson said the harassment she received from male atheists skyrocketed after Elevatorgate.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
 +
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Furthermore, she said she still receives harassment from male fans of Richard Dawkins.<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref> The atheist feminist [[Sikivu Hutchinson]] concurs with Watson and says that sexual harassment has been institutionalized within the atheist movement and that atheist men have an investment in censoring, controlling and policing women and also have an investment in "male privilege".<ref>[http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/women-are-afraid-of-atheism/51fae2acfe344467f2000596 Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video]</ref>
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==== Elevatorgate and negative press ====
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The ''New Statesman'' reporter and fellow [[Philosophical skepticism|skeptic]] [[David Allen Green]] said he believed Dawkins was a [[sexism|misogynist]] and a racist.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref> In addition, Green wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]</ref>
 +
 +
Elevatorgate created negative press for Richard Dawkins in a number of major news outlets (see: [[Elevatorgate news stories]]) and within the atheist movement/atheist population (see: [[Atheist movement]]).  As a result of Elevatorgate, Dawkins popularity among atheists and the public at large plunged (see: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]]).
 +
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See also: [[Internet atheism|Decline of internet atheism]]
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=== Sam Harris and charges of misogny ===
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[[File:Sam Harris 01.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|[[Sam Harris]] ]]
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and sexism]]
 +
 +
Like his fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris has raised the ire of [[feminism|feminists]].<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref>  See also: [[Elevatorgate]]
 +
 +
In 2014, Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.<ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.writer.sam.harris.faces.backlash.over.estrogen.vibe.comments/40735.htm Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments] by Heather Tomlinson, ''Christianity Today'', September 17, 2014</ref>
 +
 +
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?''<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2014/10/03/new_atheisms_troubling_misogyny_the_pompous_sexism_of_richard_dawkins_and_sam_harris_partner/ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris?] by Amanda Marcotte, ''Salon'' magazine, October 3, 2014</ref> On September 20, 2014, the feminist blogger Libby Anne wrote an article entitled ''Is Sam Harris Sexist?''<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2014/09/is-sam-harris-sexist.html Is Sam Harris Sexist?] by Libby Anne at the blog ''Love, Joy, Feminism'', September 20, 2014</ref> Atheist Sam Fincke wrote a piece entitled ''On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics''.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2014/09/on-sam-harriss-reply-to-feminist-critics/ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics] by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014</ref>
 +
 +
In his defense, Harris published an article on his website titled, ''“I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”''<ref>[http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/im-not-the-sexist-pig-youre-looking-for “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”] by Sam Harris, September 15, 2014</ref>
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== See also ==
 +
 +
*[[Essay: Christopher Hitchens was a bloodthirsty barbarian]] - satire
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==References==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Atheism]]

Latest revision as of 15:18, April 9, 2019

The "New Atheism" has not had much of an impact in terms of gaining new adherents to atheism. In a March 10, 2008 USA Today article Stephen Prothero stated the following regarding the impact of the "New Atheism":

“ Numbers lie, but they also tell tales untrustworthy and otherwise. So the key question stirring around the much discussed U.S Religious Landscape Survey released in late February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is what tale does it state about the state of the union.

For some, the story of this survey, based on interviews in multiple languages with more than 35,000 adults, is the strength of American Religion.

Not too long ago, I wrote that American atheism was going the way of the freak show. As books by Christopher Hitchens and other "new atheists" climbed the best seller lists, I caught a lot of flak for that prophecy. But atheist make up only 1.6% of respondents to this survey....[1]

”
Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins

A prime reason for the ineffectiveness of the "New Atheism" is the shallowness of its material. For example, as noted earlier even atheist philosopher Michael Ruse stated that Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion made him "embarrassed to be an atheist".[2]

The "New Atheism" largely has an unfavorable view outside the United States as well. The liberal leaning British publication the Guardian stated the following regarding the "New Atheism":

“ Anti-faith proselytizing is a growth industry. But its increasingly hysterical flag-bearers are heading for a spectacular failure...

These increasingly hysterical books may boost the pension, they may be morale boosters for a particular kind of American atheism that feels victimized - the latest candidate in a flourishing American tradition - but one suspects that they are going to do very little to challenge the appeal of a phenomenon they loathe too much to understand.[3]

”

New Atheism movement and contention between atheist men and women

See also: Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins and Atheism and arrogance

Founders of the New Atheism movement Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, have elevated the amount of contention between men and women within the atheist population and there are now frequently complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and that its leadership is too heavily populated with men.[4][5][6]

Richard Dawkins and Elevatorgate

David Allen Green wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."[7]

Elevatorgate is a term commonly used to describe a scandal involving new atheist Richard Dawkins' 2011 comments made to atheist Rebecca Watson which are perceived to have been inappropriate by a sizable portion of the atheist community and to the public at large.[8]

Subsequently, Richard Dawkins was widely criticized within the atheist community and in various press outlets for his insensitive comments made to atheist Rebecca Watson about the incident which occurred in an elevator (see: Richard Dawkins initial Elevatorgate comments).[9]

According to Rebecca Watson atheist women are often punished for being outspoken - particularly when they speak about feminism.[10] In August 2013, Watson said the harassment she received from male atheists skyrocketed after Elevatorgate.[11]

Furthermore, she said she still receives harassment from male fans of Richard Dawkins.[12] The atheist feminist Sikivu Hutchinson concurs with Watson and says that sexual harassment has been institutionalized within the atheist movement and that atheist men have an investment in censoring, controlling and policing women and also have an investment in "male privilege".[13]

Elevatorgate and negative press

The New Statesman reporter and fellow skeptic David Allen Green said he believed Dawkins was a misogynist and a racist.[14] In addition, Green wrote: "Can Richard Dawkins still credibly pose as a champion of rational thinking and an evidence-based approach? In my opinion, he certainly cannot, at least not in the way he did before."[15]

Elevatorgate created negative press for Richard Dawkins in a number of major news outlets (see: Elevatorgate news stories) and within the atheist movement/atheist population (see: Atheist movement). As a result of Elevatorgate, Dawkins popularity among atheists and the public at large plunged (see: Richard Dawkins' loss of influence).

See also: Decline of internet atheism

Sam Harris and charges of misogny

Sam Harris

See also: Atheism and women and Atheism and sexism

Like his fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris has raised the ire of feminists.[16][17][18] See also: Elevatorgate

In 2014, Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “estrogen vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.[19]

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?[20] On September 20, 2014, the feminist blogger Libby Anne wrote an article entitled Is Sam Harris Sexist?[21] Atheist Sam Fincke wrote a piece entitled On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics.[22]

In his defense, Harris published an article on his website titled, “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For”[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ American Faith: A Work In Progress by Stephen Prothero, USA Today, March 10, 2008, page 11A
  2. ↑ http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/47052/?page=3
  3. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2074076,00.html
  4. ↑ Will “New Atheism” Make Room For Women?, Ms. Magazine
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video
  11. ↑ Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video
  12. ↑ Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video
  13. ↑ Calling All Female Atheists - Huffington Post - video
  14. ↑ Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011
  15. ↑ Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011
  16. ↑ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris? by Amanda Marcotte, Salon magazine, October 3, 2014
  17. ↑ Is Sam Harris Sexist? by Libby Anne at the blog Love, Joy, Feminism, September 20, 2014
  18. ↑ Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments by Heather Tomlinson, Christianity Today, September 17, 2014
  19. ↑ Atheist writer Sam Harris faces backlash over 'estrogen vibe' comments by Heather Tomlinson, Christianity Today, September 17, 2014
  20. ↑ Atheism’s shocking woman problem: What’s behind the misogyny of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris? by Amanda Marcotte, Salon magazine, October 3, 2014
  21. ↑ Is Sam Harris Sexist? by Libby Anne at the blog Love, Joy, Feminism, September 20, 2014
  22. ↑ On Sam Harris’s Reply to Feminist Critics by Daniel Fincke, September 16, 2014
  23. ↑ “I’m Not the Sexist Pig You’re Looking For” by Sam Harris, September 15, 2014
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