For N.I.H. Chief, Issues of Identity and Culture

New York Times ^ | October 5, 2009 | Gardiner Harris

[hocndoc]

First, there is the God issue. Dr. Collins believes in him. (sic) Passionately. And he preaches about his belief in churches and a best-selling book. For some presidential appointees, that might not be a problem, but many scientists view such outspoken religious commitment as a sign of mild dementia.

[hocndoc]

Francis Collins is not pro-life, gives talks to Christians on the evidence for evolution, but is criticized and questioned for the fact that he believes in God.

(And the author makes his own statement by failing to capitalize the pronoun, "Him," when referring to the Creator.)

[hocndoc]

The article is not very good, even when discussing the funding for the NIH. However, it took me a while to get past the part about the belief in God, dementia and hormone surges.

Then, there’s the advocacy of “therapeutic cloning.”

[smokingfrog]

I read his book (or most of it anyway) and he seems to be sincere and dedicated to his work.

But I guess the folks at NIH would rather have an Obama-loving, khaki-wearing bicyclist as their boss.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Waiting for all the KJV aficionados to come telling us “that’s the ONLY way to do it.”

[hocndoc]

Yeah, It’s really important for scientists and bureaucrats to be “popular.” (At least to this reporter, who seems to believe that he’ll be more popular for mocking Christians and pro-life Christians in particular.)

[hocndoc]

Shameless bump: new NIH chief mocked for believing in God.

[SunkenCiv]

Collins believes in him. (sic) Passionately. And he preaches about his belief in churches and a best-selling book. For some presidential appointees, that might not be a problem, but many scientists view such outspoken religious commitment as a sign of mild dementia.