atheist_in_foxhole

Quote:

Micah Spradling was OK with learning about evolution in college, but his family drew the line when his belief in the theory became a prerequisite for continuing his education. Tim Spradling said his son left Texas Tech this semester and enrolled in Lubbock Christian University after encountering the policy of one associate professor in biological sciences. Professor Michael Dini's Web site states that a student must "truthfully and forthrightly" believe in human evolution to receive a letter of recommendation from him.

<a href="http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/100602/edu_1006020040.shtml" target="_blank">Article</a>

[ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]</p>

Doubting Didymus

I am angry at him, too. Way to create a positive public impression of evolution, Dr Dini.

Honestly, anatomy students do not need to sign a little bit of paper saying they don't believe in the four humors. You don't need to sign a confirmation of your belief in the big bang before you can study physics. Hopefully, theology students are not required to be theists, either.

Dini is correct when he says that students will be screwed trying to study biology without accepting evolution, but that should not mean they are prevented from trying.

I guess this proves that anyone, from any category of people, can be an arsehole. The backlash from this one moron will do irrepairable damage to many peoples impressions of the scientific establishment.

One of the last sane

And how can he tell what the student "truthfully and forthrightly" believes, anyway? Call in the Thought Police? What if they "get God" and decide they believe creationism later on? Do they have to send the letter of recommendation back?

Jimmy Higgins

Oh come on. We are allowed our own opinions! There is no written law saying that this professor has to give anyone a recommendation to higher education!

Now if the professor made this a rule for passing his class, then that would be unacceptable. If he set this rule for admittance into Texas Tech's grad program, then that would be wrong. However, a professor has the right to give or deny a recommendation to a student if he feels that they don't want to give one to that person.

That article also seems to be completely anti-the professors action. I can't believe everyone on the planet is against this, like the article reads. In addition, I also believe that Didi didn't have to explain why he didn't want to offer a letter of recommendation. I'm wondering how that came out. They never even bothered talking with Dini.

Good for Dr. Dini. He stood by his convictions. Why can creationists do it and be applauded and evilutionists do it and become evil?

NialScorva

I don't see a single thing wrong with it. The student was asking the teacher for a recomendation, it wasn't part of the standard curriculem or a graded test. It was a simple statement of "I will not endorse a student who believes in mythology over facts".

B. H. Manners

If I went to Lubbock Christian University and got an advanced degree in Preaching and the professor refused to give me a recommendation for a preaching job because I deny the virgin birth, inspiration of the Bible, ect. I doubt the Christians would be crapping themselves in outrage.

Coragyps

Wow! Only 84 miles from here! And if you don't think that there'll be a hue-and-cry for Dini's hide in the ol' Avalanche-Journal, you are seriously underestimating the Bible Belt. But you are certainly right, BH, about the climate over at dear old LCU.

tgamble

Would you even be admitted? Considering the requirements of the fundie brainwashing centers, they don't really have a right to bitch about this. Not that that will stop them of course.

pz

This is ridiculous. You are playing right into the despicable mindset of the author of that article.

Dini has every right to refuse to give a letter of recommendation to someone who has failed to grasp the basics of his field. I certainly wouldn't recommend someone who is that stupid.

You do realize that a recommendation is not something a student can expect just for having passed a course? It is a personal statement of confidence in the ability of a student. Dini (and anyone else) can refuse to give one for any reason they want. I think that every self-respecting biologist ought to refuse to write such a letter for anyone who shows so little knowledge of the field.

What would you prefer? That professors be required to write letters for any bozo who asks for one?

Bubba

I'd have to side with the good professor on this one.

Bubba