I also asked Harris at the event why the vast majority of atheists — and many of those who buy his books — are male, a topic which has prompted some to raise questions of sexism in the atheist community. Harris’ answer was both silly and then provocative.
It can only be attributed to my “overwhelming lack of sex appeal,” he said to huge laughter.
“I think it may have to do with my person slant as an author, being very critical of bad ideas. This can sound very angry to people..People just don’t like to have their ideas criticized. There’s something about that critical posture that is to some degree intrinsically male and more attractive to guys than to women,” he said. “The atheist variable just has this – it doesn’t obviously have this nurturing, coherence-building extra estrogen vibe that you would want by default if you wanted to attract as many women as men.”
On a related note, many transgenders were formerly male who (in large part) became female via hormone therapy. Is Harris suggesting atheism wouldn't be as attractive to these newly minted female transgenders as it once would've been when they were male?
If so, then I suppose sexism among atheists isn't necessarily any more "intrinsically male" than female. Rather, sexism among atheists is apparently mainly about hormones. If sexism is a problem among atheists, then why not treat atheists with hormone therapy?
If not, then is Harris suggesting there's something "intrinsic" about being male and female?
On a related note, many transgenders were formerly male who (in large part) became female via hormone therapy. Is Harris suggesting atheism wouldn't be as attractive to these newly minted female transgenders as it once would've been when they were male?
ReplyDeleteIf so, then I suppose sexism among atheists isn't necessarily any more "intrinsically male" than female. Rather, sexism among atheists is apparently mainly about hormones. If sexism is a problem among atheists, then why not treat atheists with hormone therapy?
If not, then is Harris suggesting there's something "intrinsic" about being male and female?