Keeping Skepticon Safe: Richard Carrier To Be Banned

[rug]

by Lauren Lane | Jun 20, 2016

In light of the recent revelations of sexual harassment, unwelcome attention, and/or unwanted behavior from more than one prominent atheist, Skepticon would like to renew our vow to keep our attendees, speakers, volunteers, vendors, organizers, and anyone else involved in Skepticon safe at our events.

The accusations specifically against Richard Carrier are, sadly, not so surprising to the Skepticon organizers. While he was a featured speaker for many years, we stopped inviting him to speak partly because of his repeated boundary-pushing behavior, including towards someone involved in Skepticon. What has been made clear by the recent discussions is that our attendees’ well being and comfort is put at an unacceptable risk by Carrier’s presence, and so we are officially prohibiting Richard Carrier from attending any future Skepticons.

We support the accusers.

It is unfortunate there are people in this world who believe they can violate others’ boundaries without consequence. Skepticon does not want those people at our events.

Our harassment policy can be found here. We are currently refining our method of handling such complaints so as to be as effective as possible when faced with them. We are investigating formal training options for our organizers and volunteers, and are forming a team who will be dedicated to protecting everyone at Skepticon.

https://skepticon.org/keeping-skepticon-safe-richard-carrier-to-be-banned/

https://skepticon.org/policy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Carrier

[MH1]

1. (As a relative outsider) Any chance that the allegations are false?

It seems not, since it appears that several organizations have found the allegations credible enough to end their association with him.

I want to be clear that I didn't know who Richard Carrier is, and probably have heard of Skepticon but not given it much thought. I am casually interested in topics around religion, atheism, belief, myth, etc. What piqued my interest here was your inclusion of the wiki article. My first thought was wow, such a shame that a cretin like this guy seems to be, merits his own wiki page. But then I clicked on it and skimmed it and have a different impression. This person appears to be quite successful and prominent in his field. This is almost a Cosby-like scenario (sounds like the boundary crossing was a bit less severe than drugging and raping though); I can't help but wonder what psychological issues underlie someone like this just outright misbehaving in such a clearly unacceptable way. I find that a shame. Sounds like he has an interesting take on the historicity (or ahistoricity) of Jesus that I'd be interested in reading; like it puts a scientific basis around my own non-scientific issues with the historicity of Jesus. (I do support the key teachings of the Gospels - as they were taught to me as a child in a liberal Episcopal household and church, which may disagree with another church's teachings of them! - but where did they really come from, and why, and does that really make a difference? are all open questions.)

Anyway, sounds like an interesting, accomplished guy, and it is a shame that his ugly behavior takes him out of the discussion. And of course a REAL shame for the people he subjected to his behavior. Particularly if they were people who viewed him favorably before that - what a betrayal.

[rug]

2. There's always a chance but it's not looking good.

http://the-orbit.net/almostdiamonds/2016/06/20/summarizing-current-allegations-richard-carrier/