On the other hand, if they’re not young, it’s just pathetic. To be so afraid of women is just sad. To believe that the only way to make yourself feel superior is by trying to make someone else inferior just speaks to really low self-esteem and a pretty tortured inner life.

Maybe I’m too old, but the first sentence: “… what is and is not appropriate flirtatious/ sexual behavior at atheist conferences” strikes me as a question with an easy answer. NOTHING is appropriate at atheist conferences. They aren’t dating conferences, but focused on the topic of atheism.

I wouldn’t go this far. From what I read, being an atheist is being a social pariah in various parts of the US, so the chance to hook up with like-minded people has got to be a big draw for attendees. By all means, go ahead and flirt at the social occasions. Speakers are in a different category, though, due to being in a more powerful position. Especially vis-a-vis their assigned assistants.

I do find the constant conflation of harassment and flirting quite annoying. I’m pretty sure that most men actually do know the difference. Read this.

If you’re genuinely worried that you’re hurting women by coming on too strong, then you’re not one of the predators, you’re one of the good guys. Yes, it’s possible that you may be misperceived and that you might need to work on separating your presentation from the style of the would-be date-rapist. Mostly what you need to do there is to wind back and relax and keep things very light and low-pressure. And not take offense – or worse, refuse to accept it – if some stranger rejects you. Perhaps go read some Captain Awkward or pervocracy for dating tips.

You are dodging the questions. Claiming that you are not going to “waste your time visiting x website” is a cop out.

What has Miranda Celeste Hale done wrong? Why is she an “ally” of Abbie Smith? Why is she a “sister-punisher” (aka “gender traitor”)?

If you can’t answer these simple questions, then I will simply regard you as another one of the bullies who doesn’t like to get called out on their home patch.

The real issue is if you do not answer the question within a set and narrow perspective that meets the FfTB, and Greta’s, ideological requirements-of-the-moment (reqs du jour), you are (one or more; take your pick):

1. sexist
2. misogynist
3. a harrassment enabler
4. a rape enabler
5. a rape culture enabler
6. an MRA zealot
7. a Slimepit Denizen™
8. an anti-feminist
9. a liar
10. a derailer
11. a troll

Then again, most of my hookups aren’t really hookups anymore. They’ve all grown out of slightly longer term relationships than a two or three night conference allows – ie, they’ve happened between me and a person I’ve had a bit of time to get to know.

I get your point about “woven” but you also say:

As the problem itself (all facets of it) is sourced from religion

Which seems to have the sense which Greta inferred. Maybe you need to clarify?

Whatever, getting rid of/weakening religion is a pretty long-term goal; so as a matter of practicality, even if you’re right about religion’s role in the sexism problem, which of the two scenarios would you say is the most pressing—folk not getting laid or women being harassed?

People all over FTB used “gender traitor” for that very same definition.

I repeat, what has Miranda Celeste Hale done to be called a “sister-punisher”.

Answer the question.

You actually mean “gender traitor”, don’t you?

Sister-punisher: A woman who turns on other women to gain favor of sexist men.

Those of us who are actually trying to solve this problem are trying to find a way that it can be made public, without making the targets’ lives into a misery.

You could at least stop him from posting here and elsewhere at FTB.

Particulary as his public persona is that of supporting the FTB point of view regarding EG and women in skepticism!

The scoundrel.