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."

[tallhappy]

I confess that I did not go to the link. But it seems to me that this issue is not about Freedom of Religion or Freedom of Speech. It seems like its about forcing someone to speak in your behalf even when they feel that you are not worthy of support.

You have to go to the link. It is clear that what he does is ask them personally outside class if they ask him for a letter.

It answered my question about how would he even know what they believe.

If students were standing up in class making this an issue, then there'd be a good reason not to reccommend them.

As it is in this case it is simple bigotry, plus more.

[OperationFreedom]

I hate to say this but you obviously are not very well educated on the issue of evolution vs. creationism.

[helpontheway]

You have to go to the link. It is clear that what he does is ask them personally outside class if they ask him for a letter. On the one hand, that does seem very intrusive and wrong. On the other hand, I can't imagine how it'd be possible to be a biologist without understanding how evolution works.

[tallhappy]

I think it's probably a safe assumption that the student's beliefs were probably made well-known throughout the course of the class.

No. Read the article.

I checked to make sure that was not the case.

But he deliberately inquires about a student's beliefs on the issue if asked for a letter. He does not know it before hand.

[Kryptonite]

Have you seen this disturbing report?

[RobbyS]

Then he should say, "If they reject what I have taught, then why ask for my recommendation. Let the grade they made in the class speak for itself."

[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.

[f.Christian]

Islam and evolution use the same methods . . . taliban // jihad // magic carpets // monopolists !

[OperationFreedom]

No, this is an issue of BELIEF. You mistakenly see it as an issue of knowledge and understanding of a theory.

[Kryptonite]

This may be a matter of free speech. If the students don't follow what he teaches then he can't very well recommend them, can he? If the situation were reversed I wouldn't expect the Creationist to recommend a student who didn't believe.

Typical leftist mind-control thinking. Education is not indoctrination. If this teacher taught the students well, they should be well-versed and able to articulate each position. It's not about whether a student "believes" one or the other, it's about whether that student understands the subject matter.

[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.

[Theyknow]

As a devout Christian I do believe that the Earth and the Universe were gifts bestowed by God to all of us. It is difficult to understand how anyone could think otherwise. On the other hand, I also believe that this happened through evolution. Evolution was God's means and it can be studied scientifically. Similarly, the birth of a child is God's means also and it too can be studied scientifically. The way I read the article, I could get a letter of recommendation from this teacher. His beef isn't with Christians, it is with people who don't accept his teaching. For that reason, the issue is his free speech.

[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.

[coloradan]

An unasked question: Why would a creationist student ask for a letter of recommendation from an evolutionist teacher in the first place? It's like a pacifist asking a letter from the ROTC instructor.

[tallhappy]

On the other hand, I can't imagine how it'd be possible to be a biologist without understanding how evolution works.

There are things called tests and papers and discussions to determine if one knows and understands the subject.

[OperationFreedom]

You assume that this message was posted at the begiining of the class. Bad mistake.

[coloradan]

Evolution uses magic carpets?

[tallhappy]

The way I read the article, I could get a letter of recommendation from this teacher.

No. I read it the exact opposite way.

He'd not give you a reccommendation.

[helpontheway]

There are things called tests and papers and discussions to determine if one knows and understands the subject.

Indeed. If the kid got taught evolution, understands how it works and got an A in the class, there's no reason under the sun he shouldn't get a recommendation. I'll give you that.

[f.Christian]

When you don't know reality - - -

fantasy // fiction // magic from truth . . .

that is called psychosis // insanity ! ! !