University conned out of $125,000...

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/44822


The University of Kentucky has been conned, CONNED, out of $125,000 by a slightly kooky evangelical christian.


I wish I was making this up, but conned is really the only word for it.


Basically the argument boils down to the fact that Dr. Martin Gaskell, an evangelical astrophysicist, didn't get a job as the director of the MacAdam Student Observatory (then unbuilt). 


The problem however, is that concerns were raised about the suitability of Dr. Gaskin as a teacher, given his views on the origin of the universe and the theory of evolution (REMEMBER, THIS IS THE SCIENTIFIC USE OF THE WORD THEORY!). 


Unfortunately I can't simply bitch about this story, it's origins are far too complex. This basically boils down to whether you need someone to "believe" in something to teach it, or just understand it.




As an example: if a student understands the theory of evolution, can write about how it works and the evidence behind the theory, BUT CRUCIALLY does not "believe" in it (for personal/religious reasons), should that student be marked down?


For stupidity possibly, but you cannot force someone to "believe". That is the attempted work of religion. 




And before anyone complains, I use the term "believe" in a different way to believe in the religious sense, I don' "believe" in the theory of evolution, I accept it as fact given the evidence.




We cannot force people to believe, and unfortunately, much as I personally think Gaskell shouldn't be allowed to teach as he will almost certainly inject some personal views on any subject he can in which his personal belief contradicts conventional wisdom, he shouldn't have missed out on the job if this was the only reason. 


We cannot force people to "believe".


But this issue is very difficult, and totally opinion driven. I wouldn't want a creationist to  teach my children biology, because I am certain he/she would not do it as well as someone who accepted the theory of evolution, and tried to understand it fully.




If anyone has any opinions on this please leave a comment, I would be interested to know your views.






Chris