It wasn't too long ago that Ben Stein, that master of dead pan, came out with a movie called, Expelled in which he and others claimed that creationist scientists were being thrusted out of academia by atheistic scientists. I am the first to admit that creationists, and especially evangelical folk, can sometimes be a little alarmist in the reporting of the nefarious doings of others. But this time, I think Ben Stein may have a point.
Today, I read an article about an astronomer named C. Martin Gaskell. He currently holds a position at the University of Nebraska and was a leading candidate for the head of an observatory at the University of Kentucky. Gaskell claims that he did not receive the job because of his religious beliefs. He may be right. You can check out the article here, and I hope that you do. The money quote is a snippet of an exchange between staff members at the University of Kentucky concerning Gaskell, "Clearly this man is complex and likely fascinating to talk with, but potentially evangelical." Potentially evangelical?! Oh my! Oh noes! We can't have that kind of guy moving into the neighborhood, that would drive housing prices down for sure!
Okay, atheists and evolutionists think that evangelicals are idiots. We get that. We think that they are foolish. However, and this is a note to atheists, believing in a Supreme Being and that miracles happen hardly puts you outside the mainstream, nor does it hinder serious scientific endeavor. I recommend that Gaskell gets the job, and that everyone on that staff has to read C.S. Lewis' "The Abolition of Man." If only!
HT: @Phil_Johnson_
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Two Voices
12 years ago
1 comment:
Well, his views on evolution should have 0 impact on his duties as an astronomer, since they have nothing to do with each other.
If he's a young earth creationist, that would directly impact and possibly influence his findings as an astronomer, but according to the article, he doesn't seem to be.
So, the only remaining thing would be the potential social/PR embarrassment of him stating his views on an unrelated field (evolutionary science/biology) while he was employed as an astronomer. I personally wouldn't have an issue hiring him if his astronomy credentials were good with a warning that when commenting on non-astronomy related stuff he did NOT represent the University.
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