Religion
In reply to the discussion: Richard Dawkins under fire for ‘mild pedophilia’ remarks [View all]carolinayellowdog
(3,247 posts)For years I've been an enthusiastic admirer of memetics, but have reluctantly accepted that very bad people can come up with some very good ideas. Whatever it is in Dawkins that makes him want to act out the worst traits of a hateful cult leader is undoing his reputation (my opinion, YMMV) for everything he did on the creative side of the ledger. This has been increasing over time, which makes me think the longer he lives the more his reputation will suffer.
As an author, I've been treated extremely well in publications and books from various outlets associated with organized Skepticism. Also treated abominably, for decades, by several varieties of true believers in Woo. So from that evidence I'd think maybe this Skeptic milieu would be a safe place to meet people, discuss my research which has been along the debunking line. (But gentle). And yet... something tells me their conferences would be as nightmarish as a Moonie or Scientology fest, as in I'd be plagued by nightmares afterwards about all the creepy weirdos.
I know there are some constellations of toxic personalities that one can find on both sides of the believer/unbeliever divide. To see Dawkins thronged and applauded by his admirers would be as absolutely sickening, as to attend some fundie conference and see them get worked up by a hatemongering ranter against the unbelievers. My position is basically "I don't know what I believe, and don't care what you believe" so all this fascination with the Wrong Beliefs of others and the need to Defeat Error is equally obnoxious from any direction.