At Pharyngula:
I noticed the “troubling turn” about 8 years ago, as more and more atheists began to rally around two themes: the Glorious Leaders who were fonts of inarguable Reason & Logic, and a definition of atheism that exempted them from all social responsibility or ethical obligation. The other big difference was that unlike Eiynah, I resisted criticizing with the excuses of #NotAllAtheists and they’ll outgrow the regressive social tendencies if we just keep trying. I was wrong. And it is quite depressing.More.
He offers a presumably share-able image:
Also, he provides a link to a longer piece at Nice Mangos:
BUT…there’s still something about it that feels a little regressive and cult-like. The blind faith, dogmatism, tribalism, homophobia, sexism, sexual abuse and harassment, transphobia – and often, what boils down to a refusal to question leaders. All these things, that make so many movement atheists smug because they regularly assume and *loudly* declare that they’re above it all, are present within their own circles too.
Actually, others have noticed that as well.
One problem is that, to remain honest, atheists must sometimes part company with serious progressives. Most serious progressives are actually nihilists. For all they know, there could be a God as long as he is not in their way.
They do not care what is true, as long as their heels are on some Bret Weinstein’s face.
That is what Sam Harris has been discovering… the hard way. If the atheist stands for facts, in and of themselves, he becomes the enemy no matter what else he thinks. He is implying that progressives are accountable to something other than successful seizure of power.
To hang with progressives for long is to become like them.
Readers?
See also: A Progressive Auto-da-fé (Barry Arrington)
At Quillette: Who will the Evergreen mob (targeted biology teacher recently) target next?
and
PZ Myers on Royal Society “rethink evolution” meet