Dr. Richard Carrier Has Sued Several Atheists and Their Blogging Networks on Charges of Defamation

[rug]

September 24, 2016
by Hemant Mehta

Dr. Richard Carrier, the author of several books about ancient philosophy, religion, and science, has filed a lawsuit against multiple atheists, their blogging networks, and an atheist conference on charges of defamation (two counts), interference with his business (one count), and emotional distress (two counts). They stem from posts made about his alleged sexual harassment, an accusation he repeatedly denies.

In the lawsuit, which we obtained through publicly available court records, Carrier asks for a total of $1,050,000 in compensatory damages and an additional $1,050,000 in punitive damages from all defendants.

Carrier says that PZ Myers and the Freethought Blogs network took part in making false, defamatory statements against him:

… [Myers] recounts and republishes false and defamatory allegations of sexual harassment (the “Narrative”), and alleges a pattern of “repeated boundary-pushing behavior.”
…

False and defamatory statements… include, but are not limited to, the assertion that Dr. Carrier engaged in “persistent” sexual behavior “in defiance of specific requests that he cease.”
…

On information and belief, Defendants made no effort to investigate or substantiate the statements’ veracity before republishing allegations Defendants either knew to be false or made with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity.

He says something similar of Stephanie Zvan and The Orbit network:

… she recounts and republishes alleged incidents of sexual harassment, claiming personal knowledge of no fewer than five incidents, and alleging a pattern of boundary pushing and problem behavior.
…

On information and belief, Defendants made no effort to investigate or substantiate the statements’ veracity before republishing allegations Defendants either knew to be false or made with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/09/24/dr-richard-carrier-has-sued-several-atheists-and-their-blogging-networks-on-charges-of-defamation/

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5dd6fnybataueu/CarrierLawsuitModi.pdf?dl=0

[struggle4progress]

1. The charges don't much interest me, nor the lawsuit; and I am equally incompetent on the merits

of either. But it seems plausible to me that Carrier may have some history of ad hominem argument; as suggested (say) by this article -- if that were, in fact, the case then perhaps we ought not be too surprised if there exist folk who, offended by Carrier, choose to return the favor

[rug]

2. PZ Myers and he have been warring for some time, complete with the childish ad hominems.

Let's see how that will fly in federal court.

[struggle4progress]

3. Those two seem to have a common love for personal attack

How nice that they have found each other