Prominent biologist Richard Dawkins resigned from the board of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) after the organization censored a controversial article.
The organization removed the article, titled "Biology is not Bigotry" and written by fellow board member Jerry Coyne, following backlash from pro-trans advocates. This action prompted several resignations, including Dawkins', Fox News reported.
Jerry Coyne wrote the contentious article to refute claims made in Kat Grant's "What is a Woman?" Coyne argued for a biological definition of gender, suggesting it is determined by gamete type. In response, the FFRF unpublished the piece, describing their decision as misjudged. Co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor called it a mistake and clarified that it did not reflect their values. They pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Professor Richard Dawkins expressed discontent over the organization's decision, describing it as an act of "unseemly panic." He accused the FFRF of yielding to pressure from certain groups regarding Jerry Coyne's work.
Alongside Dawkins, notable author and psychologist Steven Pinker felt compelled to also resign. Pinker criticized the FFRF for its shift from defending secular freedoms to imposing "a new religion." Jerry Coyne similarly protested against what he regarded as censorial conduct by the group. His resignation highlighted the importance of promoting science without bias.
Coyne elaborated that his intention was never to harm any community but rather to engage in scientific discourse. "The gender ideology which caused you to take down my article is itself quasi-religious," he commented, referencing the overlap between established religious behavior and current gender debates.
The FFRF's removal of Coyne's article reverberates around ongoing debates about gender identity and its intersection with scientific understanding. While Coyne and Dawkins advocated for a biological perspective, others within the FFRF argued against it as aligning with their cause.
The decision to remove the article did not alter despite the dissatisfaction of several board members. Co-president Taylor remarked on the decision, defending the organization's stance on LGBTQ rights, highlighting a growing disparity within the foundation.
Dawkins' previous statements and lectures have often aligned with traditional scientific views of gender, stating "Sex really is binary," using biological measures such as gamete size and chromosomes. His previous comments in media interviews further illustrate his perspective.
While Richard Dawkins has resigned, he expressed wishes to maintain amicable relations with FFRF leadership. Despite his departure, he voiced intentions to cooperate on potential future endeavors. He labeled the removal of Coyne's article as "lamentable discourtesy," noting it as a primary cause for his decision.
Co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor stated that they were committed to rectifying the situation and ensuring better alignment with their values in the future. The FFRF, an organization dedicated to separating church from state, now confronts internal dialogue about its role in science and society.
Dawkins' decision to remain conversational with the FFRF leadership underscores the personal connections maintained despite professional disagreements. This situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by organizations operating at the intersection of science, society, and belief systems.
Concluding, this incident exemplifies a shift within the FFRF following Jerry Coyne's article's removal. Disparate views on gender intersected with scientific understanding have led to significant resignations, prompting introspection within the organization's mission and approach to freedom of expression. The resignations of Dawkins, Coyne, and Pinker underscore the broader societal discourse on gender and science and ongoing conflicts in upholding values within diverse organizations.
