More from Sheffield University ASH. A later comment on that Facebook thread explaining why they were afraid to invite Maryam to speak:
Ellen Woods I ran this society several years ago (with a fairly “hardline” approach) and we had an ever increasing membership. I am frankly embarrassed by this statement.
I met Maryam Namazie at an event with Sheffield Humanist society a few years ago as well as rallies in London and think she, and everything she stands for, is fantastic.
I have honestly no idea who runs or is involved in the University society now but I apologise on behalf of myself and previous members. What a shame.
And a reply by the ASH Secretary, who is probably the author of the post, since the clumsiness of language is similar in both:
Jack R. Dowling If you’re done with your puffed up sophistry, Ellen, I’ll be happy to correct you.
We have seen great success with students and active membership since the society has been going in the direction outlined in our statement. And this is partly due to dropping the ‘hardline’ approach you seem to be quite proud to tout.
I have also met Maryam, and agree with her on many things; she was an ally, not an enemy. And we would have been very happy to have her to speak.
Unfortunately she has a narrative of victim hood which you all seem to have bought into quite nicely.
You’re talking to one of those people now, Ellen. And I’d like to apologise to you too. I’m sorry that the idea of promoting ideas of humanism and interfaith is an affront to you. Fortunately you aren’t here anymore; not a member who’s concerns we would take on board. So no harm no foul as I see it.
Confused, rude, and fatuous, all at once.
It’s sad for the ASH students of Sheffield.
Comments
21 responses to “Sheffield ASH does interfaith some more”
Is promoting ‘interfaith’ a thing with Humanists? It certainly isn’t with Atheists and Secularists, at least not those I mix with. Maybe Sheffield ASH is currently populated by confused individuals who think that ASH is a form of religion and it’s somehow their duty to hold hands with islamofascists? I’m all for constructive dialogue, but you have to have some common ground. For Sheffield ASH that should not be that Maryam is unfit to speak to them.
I guess it is with some humanists, but this twerp seems to be using it to shut down the atheism part altogether. Plus he’s a twerp who uses words without knowing what they mean. Twerp.
Ophelia, stop calling the twerp a twerp. He’ll start to feel like a victim, realise that makes his position even more twerperly hypocritical and confirm his twerpiness. And that will be ALL YOUR FAULT.
How wonderfully out of touch Jack R. Dowling is. The type of sniveling little “activist” that does far more harm than good while walking under a proud banner of perceived superior intellect and insights.
Hey, that reminds me. Isn’t FTB looking for bloggers?
Are the Islamists members of ASH, who therefore merit more attention than the voices of past members? No?
Are the Islamists going to stop taking such a hardline approach themselves, developing an interfaith outlook that stops punishing apostates, and indeed, beginning to fight for people’s right to freedom of conscience, lobbying for an end to “morality police”, anti-atheist mob violence, and women’s rights?
No to that, too, huh?
What good does ASH’s new policy do, then?
Makes the twerps feel warm and cuddly?
I’m sorry to ask people to google for me, but does Maryam Namazie have a direct donation link? I don’t see one at FTB, and can’t find one elsewhere.
I would, of course, be quite happy to donate to the Council of Ex-Muslims (again) if she’s not looking for individual support of her blogging. Just looking for a way to support her activism and writing directly, I guess.
Well, an obvious twerp is a twerp – no quarrel here. Still, one of the things he said was that
Can this be correct, I wonder? Maybe at least here he is not out of touch with reality? A disquieting, unpleasant thought.
What an unpleasant, defensive fool – a little bureaucat (sic) in the making! ‘I have also met Maryam, and agree with her on many things; she was an ally, not an enemy. ‘ Well, whatever she ‘was’, she doesn’t seem to be that now in our little Jack-in-office’s eyes….
@8: actually I can fully believe that the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist society has done well on recruitment and membership since it decided not to push nasty, divisive things like atheism, secularism or humanism.
It’s all about “safe space” for misogynists and theocrats. For the regressive left, even hardline Islamists rank higher in the new hierarchy of victimhood than atheists, humanists or, heaven forbid!, ex-Muslims.
Yes. That’s how it works. You aren’t in our group so we needn’t consider your ideas.
That’s what I’ve seen at our school. If our freethought club is billed as atheist, it “leaves out agnostics”. If it is named as an agnostic club, it is billed as “leaving out atheists”. If it is billed as freethought, it is “setting ourselves above everyone else”. Every person who comes in has a bias against whatever name we use. I am in the process of changing the name to “The Club that refuses to give itself a name for fear of offending someone”. That should please everyone, right?
I’m sorry that the idea of promoting ideas of humanism and interfaith is an affront to you
Sounds like they think atheism is but another form of religion.
Or perhaps they’re somewhat afraid of certain faiths.
We saw the intimidation Maryam had been subjected to by Islamists, and perhaps ( in fairness) this weak-kneed response is a symptom of the fear that reigns on campus.
Successive supine and timid administrations have emboldened radical Islamists to such a point that instances of open intimidation are starting to pop up.
And they’re not being addressed in a meaningful and muscled manner.
Islamists will push, push, push and won’t stop until administrators push back.
a narrative of victimhood
What? So sharing experiences is only OK as long as they’re not negative?
Of, course, she’s a woman. When women complain about anything they’re just playing the victim card.
It’s sad when left wing political rhetoric starts to sound like something from an MRA website.
How can it be inter-faith? Is atheism a “faith” now?
amrie:
Rather than a faith, it’s the null value within the category of religious (implied theistic) belief status. So, when social systems give representation to discussions addressing religious consideration, atheists could be legitimately included.
To confuse things, there exist atheistic religions and religious atheists, muddying the term.
!
Vindictive, jejune. Telling.
(Cringe-worthy)
John Morales–hi! Haven’t seen you hereabouts in a while.
*waves*
Hi, Lady M.
@ 7 PatrickG
If you’re still looking, Maryam has a TV show, regularly promoted on her blog, with a Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/BreadandRosesTV