Professor Refuses Letters of Recommendation to Creationist Students

AP Breaking News ^

[governsleastgovernsbest]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-evolution-dispute0130jan30,0,713004.story

Professor's Letter Refusal Causes Probe By LISA FALKENBERG Associated Press Writer

January 30, 2003, 9:50 AM EST

DALLAS -- A biology professor who refuses to write letters of recommendation for his students if they don't believe in evolution is being accused of religious discrimination, and federal officials are investigating, the school said.

The legal complaint was filed against Texas Tech University and professor Michael Dini by a student and the Liberty Legal Institute, a religious freedom group that calls Dini's policy "open religious bigotry."

[OperationFreedom]

Enlighten me please.

[OperationFreedom]

What were his scientific credentials prior to making his claims? Please post them here for all to see. I know. Do you?

[ContentiousObjector]

Much of the bible was passed down by oral tradition for generations before it was written down and even then most of it is written in parables.

The bible isn't and was never ment to be a history textbook

[OperationFreedom]

I gotta run. Have a nice day. I enjoyed sparring with you.

One of my best friends is a prof at Chapel Hill. Liberal, atheist, anti-gun, pro-abortion, pro-gay aggenda, etc. But I have often stayed up until 2 in the morning debating with him. Great times.

[OperationFreedom]

Then why is so much of it collaborated by modern scientific discoveries?

[ContentiousObjector]

the later parts of the old book and new book can be backed up by archaeology, however the earth isn’t flat or the center of the universe.

[Voice in your head]

"A biology professor who refuses to write letters of recommendation for his students if they don't believe in evolution is being accused of religious discrimination, and federal officials are investigating, the school said.

The legal complaint was filed against Texas Tech University and professor Michael Dini by a student and the Liberty Legal Institute, a religious freedom group that calls Dini's policy 'open religious bigotry.'"

On a separate topic - have we lost our minds? Why is the federal government involved in such matters?

[tallhappy]

Incidentally, isn't it interesting that scientists such as Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and Albert Schweitzer managed to follow God and excel in science, while our minor, no-name scientists today are so closed-minded in their pursuit of scientific knowledge.

I'd add Gregor Mendel, whom this fellow would not give a recommendation to, who was much more important to the field of biology than Darwin ever was.

[f.Christian]

Trying to orbit science around darwin is like trying to put the sun around an asteroid // vapors !

[Heartlander]

A start…

[tallhappy]

Is it religious discrimination to deny an Amish a job as a truckdriver because he won't drive a vehicle fueled by an interal combustion engine?

Inapt analogy.

Being able to do technical molecular biological or biochemical work is not dependent on any belief system.

[Right Wing Professor]

What, exactly, do you think 'scientific credentials' were in the mid 19th century? What were Mendel's credentials before he founded genetics?

[usastandsunited]

The bible isn't and was never ment to be a history textbook

I find it amazing how you state the evidence of evolution is overwhelming but you make a statement such as the above about the Bible in the year 2003.
FYI: many,many, archeological(done by secular scientists in Israel) finds in recent times have done nothing but re-affirmed the writings of the Bible, even things that at the time we thought the bible was "incorrect".

[Right Wing Professor]

Being able to do technical molecular biological or biochemical work is not dependent on any belief system.

Disagree. Being able to do research in genomics would be hampered seriously if one refused to use reasoning based on evolution.

[Heartlander]

JOHANN GREGOR MENDEL: WHY HIS DISCOVERIES WERE IGNORED FOR 35 (72) YEARS

[Stultis]

If the situation were reversed I wouldn't expect the Creationist to recommend a student who didn't believe.

It is unlikely the situation ever would be reversed. Every creationist org or institution I have ever known of has a "statement of faith" of some sort that must be signed up-front. I.e. "unbelievers" are weeded out from the get-go.

[OperationFreedom]

There are soooo many good replies to your question... but I shall refrain.

[f.Christian]

To: PatrickHenry

Hey Pat don't cut me off. I'd never threaten you with that. My younger brothers name is Pat. He is smarter and more successful than me. Which I refuse to hold against you, by the way.

I would like to know what you think the brilliance of our constitutional republic can be attributed to. (even though there is a malignant group of ungodly anarchists trying to tear it apart).

Possibly you will agree that the largest group of truly patriotic people currently in this country are represented by Evangelical and Fundamentalists Christians (not to say that all professing Christians are spot on).


1101 posted on 01/27/2003 9:04 PM PST by bondserv

[tracer]

Actually, it is a growing practice nowadays to exercise the Option "1" to which you referred. And some professors are going with Option "2".....

[tallhappy]

Biology without evolution is birdwatching.

Not really. Only at highest levels of the ivory tower is this potentially the case.

In this issue it is 100% irrelevant.

Even, though, accepting evolution must accompany biology, a belief in it is irrelevant. Understanding and mastery of concept does not need to be linked to belief.