Godless women
Jen McCreight has a second Most Influential Female Atheist contest, and I’m nominated again, which is my reward for being notoriously obnoxious, which I would be even without a reward, but rewards make it even more fun.
But other sweller more influential people are also nominated, and you get three votes, so vote. Allow me to put in a plug for Maryam Namazie, who rocks. They all rock, but allow me to put in a plug for Maryam anyway.
I’ve been praying for you, Ophelia. Sincerely.
Aw shucks, David.
You got my vote.
Dear Sir and/or Madam:
We have received your request for our favoritism, and are sorry to say that we shall be unable to comply at this time. Should you, however, at some time in the future be nominated for The Most Apparently Notorious Female Atheist of 2010, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Sincerely yours etc. etc.
I missed the vote? ! :(
To be honest, I didn’t vote for you, Ophelia, even though you are by far the most influential female atheist – or atheist generally – up to myself. But though this is the case, I did so based on your recommendations of Maryam Namazie and others who are staring down the barrels of bigotry.
I’ll gladly pay my tribute in this way.
Though I read your blog daily and religiously, I must regretfully admit to having not voted for you. It was a tough decision, since for various reasons my votes for Greta Cristina and Ayaan Hirsi Ali were non-negotiable.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Skeptic South Africa, Ophelia Benson. Ophelia Benson said: Godless women http://dlvr.it/CL5wt […]
I did vote for you. Though I do follow this world reasonably closely, some 6 or 7 of the names were completely new to me, but that must be because they’re all based in the US. I also voted for Namazie and Ali for their bravery.
A bit off-topic, but I’d also like to point to and applaud the use of a non-first-past-the-post voting system.
Voted for you (natch) Maryam and Greta.
I think it would be more interesting to offer a poll for the second most influential atheist woman.
All the best, OB. Being just on the top Atheist list is indeed an honour in itself.
You dare to speak the truth in your own inimitable style and thus are hounded out o fit by some of your own armchair mild atheist counterparts.
Thank you so much for relentlessly highlighting institutional child abuse over the years in Irish industrial schools. See: Ryan Report in Focus section of B&W. Also clerical child abuse See: Murphy/Ferns Report on the web.
You’re also a loud voice for women in far-off-flung countries who suffer horrendously at the hands of misogynists.
Maryam Namazie surely rocks too. Good luck!
Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit (AH-vlee ihn fwee WAH-shuh wich) Happy New Year.
While I was in the voting booth, I realised that I was also voting for the ones I wanted to be most influential, which may not yet necessarily be the case.
You’re not required to vote for me!
I’m obviously not the most influential, and I’m certainly not the most brave and at risk. I’m happy to get a few votes; I certainly don’t expect to win.
I’m surprised and disappointed that Susan Jacoby is doing so poorly.
Well, of course you should win! Who else is as obnoxiously persistent as you, Ophelia? Name me one! That’s not to say that others on the list do not deserve high marks and high praise too, but, well, if I was running things …. I think the reason Susan Jacoby may be doing poorly is the fact that she has given her support to Templeton’s “Big Question”. And, to be candid, that should be the kiss of death where atheists are concerned. Actually, Susan’s articles for BQ are quite good, but they are marred by the surrounding religious bric-a-brac.
Heehee – but the poll isn’t “most obnoxiously persistent,” Eric – it’s “most influential.” I’m hugely chuffed that you think I would be the obvious choice if it were the former. :- )
(It’s too bad “chuffed” isn’t a US word, because we need it – I can’t think of an exact substitute.)
Btw, as to such a competition: Isn’t there something slightly off for such a hierarchical exercise?
It seems to me that “the best one” business (exclusivity, status etc) is an essential part of religion. De haut en bas and all that.
I’m only partly joking. I was merely surprised at the very idea of “Most Influential Female Atheist.”
Yes of course we do have recognitions of merit — and well there should be. There are some things — people, animals, processes (of all kind),books, whatever etc — which stand out as superior. Some baseball players are simply more skilled and no problem in recognizing such people.
I hope everyone does realize that all of our paltry efforts will be reduced to rubble once PZ gets wind of this.
What about the female who CREATED the most atheists? That would be the inimitable Ann Widdicombe (sp?), the fractious Catholic apologist who debated Hitchens and Stehpan Fry last year. She did more to turn theists into atheists than anyone I can think of.
David – well the one last year was a reaction to a (discussion about a) series of conferences etc that were almost all male. Jen was underlining the point that there are plenty of noticeable female atheists out there. Hence “most influential.” It’s not “best”; it’s more a matter of “most least invisible.” Many female atheists get somewhat tired of the way we get, you know, totally ignored.