[Steve_Seattle]

I sympathize with the student, but no one has a legal right to a letter of recommendation from anyone. In this specific instance, the professor might simply think that a supporter of creationism is not upholding rigorous scientific standards.

[tallhappy]

Same argument could be made for any non-materialistic non-atheistic belief held by a student.

[mabelkitty]

You are correct. However, if letters of recommendation are being prepared for other, non-Christian students, then he has shown a pattern of discrimination.

Really no different from white students receiving letters of recommendation only, but black students who make the request are refused based on their race.

[Adder]

AND, to continue your thought, the professor plainly states his conditions for such a letter on his website. Any student should know, prior to asking, what those are. Gotta agree with the prof on this one.

[OperationFreedom]

There is nothing rigorous or standard about the theory of evolution my friend. I once tried to reject the Biblical story but fond no substitue that made any more sense scientifically. That was during a period in my life that I was trying to reject God. Strictly from a scientific viewpoint the theory of evolution has actually LESS credibility than creation. At one time it pained me to say that but it no longer does.

[Old Professer]

To a good teacher, ignorance is as a piece of marble to a scupltor; what a terrible waste this teacher might allow regardless of the absolute.

[MEGoody]

If the prof isn't giving out these letters of recommendation as a part of his job, then he certainly should not use university property to meet with students to discuss their request for a letter (e.g. his office). He also should not use university resources to prepare the letters. I imagine he does both.

[wgeorge2001]

"I sympathize with the student, but no one has a legal right to a letter of recommendation from anyone. In this specific instance, the professor might simply think that a supporter of creationism is not upholding rigorous scientific standards."


If the "good"(sarcasm)professor believes that science does not support creationism and will not study all the facts; he then makes himself a closed minded man. He has the right.However,by not giving an open minded student (he listened to the drivel the professor taught) he violates the students first constitutional rights and the professor is then guilty of bigotry.
He should not give ANYONE a letter of recommendation if he will not give EVERYONE a letter of recommendation he otherwise would have.Guilty of religious bigotry that may affect the students future;guilty of predjudice,guilty of arrogance by shoving his secular humanism down another persons throat.

[Celtman]

I sympathize with the student, but no one has a legal right to a letter of recommendation from anyone.

      However, a student of a state university (an arm of government) has a right to equal treatment, regardless of his religious beliefs.  And a state university professor, acting as an agent of the state does not have the right to impose his own religious beliefs (humanistic evolution is a religion).