Biologist fired for beliefs, suit says

[jpak]

http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2007/12/07/biologist_fired_for_beliefs_suit_says/?page=2

Abraham did not return a telephone call seeking comment. An Indian citizen, he now works at Liberty University, a Christian university in Lynchburg, Va., founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

He has a master's degree in biology and a philosophy doctorate, both from St. John's University in New York, a university spokeswoman said. He was hired by Hahn's marine biology lab in March 2004 because of his expertise working with zebra fish and in toxicology and developmental biology, according to court documents. He did not tell anyone his creationist views before being hired. Hahn's lab, according to its website, studies how aquatic animals respond to chemical contaminants by examining ". . . mechanisms from a comparative/evolutionary perspective."

In October 2004, both agree, Abraham made a passing comment to Hahn saying he did not believe in evolution.

"My supervisor appeared angry and asked me what I meant," Abraham wrote in a 2005 complaint he filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. "My supervisor and I had a follow up meeting during which my supervisor informed me that if I do not believe in evolution, then he was paying me for only 7 to 10 percent of the work I was doing under the grant."

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[Ian David]

1. He should shut-up and accept his eventual Bush administration Recess Appointment. n/t

[YOY]

2. Part of me says "tough sh*t"

The other part of me says that his work had nothing to do with creationism.

Then again, if one is willing to accept the pseudo-science that is creationism as "scientific fact" would you really want them selecting and reporting data?

[yardwork]

9. If somebody's beliefs actually prevent them from doing their job, it's reasonable to fire them.

As the article states and other posts here point out, the researcher stated that he would be unwilling to help write or put his name to any publications or grant proposals that discussed evolution. Those are major parts of his job expectations. Can't or won't do the job - needs to find another job.

He'll fit right in at Liberty University.

[alarimer]

3. Good (that he was fired.)

I hope he loses this suit. No legitimate biologist does not "believe" in evolution. And they should be fired because they lack credibility. Since Liberty U. is not a real university with a real science department, he should fit right in with the Department of Intelligent Design or whatever it's called. No legitimate research ever came out of Liberty. This guy is not a scientist; he would never have made it through his PhD program if he didn't lie about his beliefs.

See, this is how the creationists try to gain some legitimacy. "We have PHD from (name some legitimate university) on our staff; therefore, creationism is real science".

[Owl]

6. Totally agree.

[Bonhomme Richard]

10. I agree too..

Tired of all the bullshit and ignorance should not be left unchecked.

[Vickers]

4. "He did not tell anyone his creationist views before being hired."

Nor do I.

[Johonny]

5. stolen from panda thumb website

I would have fired the guy, too. Hahn studies a particular protein family in multiple species, not just zebrafish; he publishes papers with titles like "Unexpected diversity of aryl hydrocarbon receptors in non-mammalian vertebrates: insights from comparative genomics." He does modern developmental biology, which is so tightly wrapped up in evolutionary theory they're becoming indistinguishable.

on Nov. 17, Hahn asked him to resign, pointing out in the letter that Abraham should have known of evolution's centrality to the project because it was evident from the job advertisement and grant proposal.". . . You have indicated that you do not recognize the concept of biological evolution and you would not agree to include a full discussion of the evolutionary implications and interpretations of our research in any co-authored publications resulting from this work," Hahn wrote in the letter, which the commission provided to the Globe. "This position is incompatible with the work as proposed to NIH and with my own vision of how it should be carried out and interpreted."


He wasn't fired for his beliefs but the fact he couldn't professionally work on the project he was hired on for.

[LoZoccolo]

7. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thPtCIOaRZw

[Jim__]

8. A flight school hiring instructors wouldn't ask whether they accepted that the earth was spherical

Good answer Eugenie! :)

[0rganism]

11. maybe more basic than that, like whether they believe in aerodynamics

A flight instructor who refuses to discuss systems of rudder and aileron operation because of his belief that the airplane is kept aloft by the grace of God Almighty might have difficulties keeping his job, too.

[sam sarrha]

12. they might start after this one..

[T Wolf]

13. How about a belief in gravity? With god as your co-pilot, why worry about

that little scientific theory?

[hunter]

14. Evolution is not some subset of Biology. Biology is Evolution.

If one does not "believe in Evolution" one does not "believe" in Biology.

If Dr. Abraham does not believe in Evolution he is bumbling around in the dark without a flashlight and he is not a Biologist.

[Evoman]

15. I'm not going to comment on his being fired, but I will say this:

WHAT SORT OF FUCKING BIOLOGIST DOESN'T BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION!!!!!!!

[hunter]

16. It's exactly like that, almost incomprehensible.

It's as if you met a chemist who believed there were only four elements: fire, water, earth, and air.

In biology evolution is staring you in the face everywhere you go.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. How can someone who claims to be a biologist not believe in evolution?

That's like an astronomer who thinks the world is flat.

[Beelzebud]

18. Usually thats what happens to people unqualified for their jobs.