Gaskell is the scientist who was rejected by the University of Kentucky for the position of director of its Lexington-based observatory. Gaskell sued, claiming religious discrimination. As evidence, he produced emails that detailed how some members of the university were upset with his Christian views.
Gaskell is an astronomer and a supporter of evolution. However, he has expressed support for a dialogue between science and religion. He has rejected a purely materialistic view of natural history that leaves no room for God. Apparently this was too much for some professors at the University of Kentucky, who seem to regard him as some sort of potential Christianist theocrat.
Others worried about adverse media reaction. Here is a quote from the article:
“[A non-committee member] suggested, in particular, that we might one day wake up to a [Lexington] Herald-Leader headline citing ‘UK hires creationist as Observatory Director,’” wrote one member of the search committee in an e-mail. “Such a headline would probably not be a fair representation of Martin’s personal views, which are not simple, but the headline could appear nonetheless.”
I do not think that fear is unfounded. The secular media, whose scientific and technical knowledge is poor at best, seems more interested in eradicating every single possible idea that even suggest that God may exist than in giving the public the facts and letting them decide.
On the other hand ... whatever happened to courage in the face of ignorance and superstition? I am sure that many of these professors would have trampled each other to be first in line to stand up to (say) a preacher who criticized the university's position on homosexuality or the hiring of an avowed terrorist (William Ayers). It appears there is a difference between courage and, you know, courage!
Regardless, the University of Kentucky did not exactly cover themselves in glory with this debacle. Whether it was fear of the secular media that motivated the rejection of Gaskell, plain religious bigotry, or a combination of both, no one in academia can be happy with this.
1 comment:
Christians invented science. What is now known as the big bang theory was developed early on by a Catholic priest. The very name "big bang" was coined and popularized by anti-Christians who resisted the idea that time and the universe have a definite starting point.
These facts really mess with the heads of scientism's devotees. Genuine supporters of science must be wondering if Gaskell's detractors should be booted out of the university. Oh, the university is another Christian invention...
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