Scientist alleges religious discrimination in Kentucky

[Rage for Order]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101217/ap_on_re/us_rel_astronomer_religious_suit;_ylt=AhUz81MKmVky8yIypcbIbA.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQ0Y2doMzFyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMjE3L3VzX3JlbF9hc3Ryb25vbWVyX3JlbGlnaW91c19zdWl0BGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDOARwb3MDNQRwdANob21lX2Nva2UEc2VjA3luX2hlYWRsaW5lX2xpc3QEc2xrA3NjaWVudGlzdGFsbA--">Scientist alleges religious discrimination in Kentucky

An astronomer argues that his Christian faith and his peers' belief that he is an evolution skeptic kept him from getting a prestigious job as the director of a new student observatory at the University of Kentucky.

Martin Gaskell quickly rose to the top of a list of applicants being considered by the university's search committee. One member said he was "breathtakingly above the other applicants." Others openly worried his Christian faith could conflict with his duties as a scientist, calling him "something close to a creationist" and "potentially evangelical."

Even though Gaskell says he is not a creationist, he claims he was passed over for the job at UK's MacAdam Student Observatory three years ago because of his religion and statements that were perceived to be critical of the theory of evolution.

Gaskell has sued the university, claiming lost income and emotional distress. Last month a judge rejected a motion from the university and allowed it to go to trial Feb. 8. "There is no dispute that based on his application, Gaskell was a leading candidate for the position," U.S. District Judge Karl S. Forester wrote in the ruling.


Much more at the link


Can one be both religious and a good scientist?

:shrug:

[sakabatou]

1. Yes, there are many good religious scientists

I know two religious Jews down the street and they're both scientists. However, I think it was his views on science, not his religion, which kept him from getting a job.

[Rage for Order]

2. More from the story...

University scientists wondered to each other in internal e-mails if Gaskell's faith would interfere with the job, which included public outreach, according to court records. The topic became so heated behind the scenes that even university biologists, who believed Gaskell was a critic of evolution, weighed in by citing a controversial Bible-based museum in Kentucky that had just opened.

"We might as well have the Creation Museum set up an outreach office in biology," biology professor James Krupa wrote to a colleague in an October 2007 e-mail. The museum was making national headlines at the time for exhibits that assert the literal truth of the Bible's creation story.

Science professors cited a lecture Gaskell has given called "Modern Astronomy, the Bible and Creation," which he developed for "Christians and others interested in Bible and science questions...," according to an outline of the lecture. Gaskell told the AP he was invited to give the lecture at UK in 1997, and organizers had read his notes. The wide-ranging lecture outlines historical scientific figures who discuss God and interpretations of the creation story in the biblical chapter Genesis. Also in the notes, Gaskell mentions evolution, saying the theory has "significant scientific problems" and includes "unwarranted atheistic assumptions and extrapolations," according to court records.

Gaskell was briefly asked about the lecture during his job interview in 2007 with the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michael Cavagnero, according to Gaskell's deposition. Gaskell said he felt that questions related to religion during the job interview were "inappropriate."

"I think that if I had a document like this and I was advocating atheism ... I don't think it would be an issue," he said of his lecture.

Science professors also expressed concern that hiring Gaskell would damage the university's image.

An astrophysics professor, Moshe Elitzur, told Cavagnero that the hire would be a "huge public relations mistake," according to an e-mail from Cavagnero in court records. "Moshe predicts that he would not be here one month before the (Lexington) Herald-Leader headline would read: 'UK hires creationist to direct new student observatory.'"

[beam me up scottie]

10. "Gaskell mentions evolution, saying the theory has "significant scientific problems"...

The wide-ranging lecture outlines historical scientific figures who discuss God and interpretations of the creation story in the biblical chapter Genesis. Also in the notes, Gaskell mentions evolution, saying the theory has "significant scientific problems" and includes "unwarranted atheistic assumptions and extrapolations," according to court records.

So he IS a critic of evolution.

Here's a clue, Gaskell, if you can't keep your religious beliefs out of your work don't expect potential employers to overlook your obvious bias.

[bluerum]

3. Yes. But if you believe in creationism over evolution you are not a scientist. Much less a good one.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. Can one be both religious and a good scientist?

Of course.

Can one have religiously motivated objections to evolution and be a good scientist? No.

[Dappleganger]

5. Yes, but none that I know of believe in the bible literally.

The woman I know the best, a theoretical nuclear physicist said there is no way any half-witted scientist could possibly believe in the literal story of creation. The evidence is just too compelling.

[riderinthestorm]

6. He's taught lectures at the university that openly demonstrate

how deeply intertwined his science is with his religious beliefs! And now he wants to sue the university for taking into account his religion as it affects his science???!!

What am I missing here? Isn't it obvious the guy has made no bones about interjecting his religion into his professional life. And if the university has objections about that, he should be grateful they aren't taking any further steps against him instead of passing him over for a promotion.

[somone]

7. U of Kentucky made the right decision

There are plenty of scientists who are religious, but this guy came across as a Bible thumper who might bring his personal bias/religious zeal to the observatory.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[glinda]

9. This man is in the wrong field possibly. Perhaps he should have been a minister.

I do think it is possible to have a Religion and be a scientist as long as the Religion does not over-ride/interfere with the science and research outcome.

[Ozymanithrax]

11. There have been several astrologers and cosmologists who were relgious...

and a few who were ever catholic priests. However, that does not mean they believed that the bible was literally true.

How does an astronomer approach teaching modern cosmological theory if he refuses to accept the validity of the theory of evolution.

[LuvNewcastle]

12. There is such a thing as reality.

There is also truth. I know that those who view Fox News and attend fundy churches think that their ideas are just as plausible as those of learned scientists, but that is not the case. If you want to believe in alchemy rather than chemistry or the humours of the body rather than medicine, that is your prerogative; but don't accuse people who seek the truth of being narrow minded. Evolution is obvious. Anyone who doesn't see it does not want to see it. The thing that made Darwin's theory so great was that it was something obvious, yet no one had thought of it before.

[Motown_Johnny]

13. If he wins it means atheists should be able to be hired as ministers

since you won't be able to discriminate against them for their religious beliefs.


If he were any type of scientist at all he would have considered this.