Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jesse · 02-02-2003, 10:50 PM

A blogger suggests Professor Dini could settle the lawsuit by writing a letter of recommendation like this:

Quote:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I understand that Micah Spradling has applied to your fine institution in an effort to further his training in the biological sciences. I have been asked to write this letter by Mr. Spradling.

I know Mr. Spadling fairly well as he has taken lower level and upper level courses from me. I have also met with him in my office to discuss matters of biology.

In our meetings, the issue of the origin of the human species arose. Despite four years of training in the biological sciences, Mr. Spradling was unable to truthfully and forthrightly affirm a scientific answer to that question.

As a result of that inability, I declined to write a letter of recommendation for Mr. Spradling. When I declined, Mr. Spradling sued me as well as Texas Tech.

This letter is written under the terms of the settlement of that suit and you should regard it as such.

If you seek litigious students who, after four years of training in biology, are unable to state a scientific basis for the origin of the human species, then Mr. Spradling would be a fine addition to your program.

Sincerely Yours

VonEvilstein · 02-03-2003, 12:38 AM

Ahem, here we go then...

Being fairly new here, and not knowing the veterans yet by reputation, and having seen some of the outrageously moronic posts some people have made, and not knowing whether the violins were sarcastic or perhaps gloating in the perceived victory...

it was an honest mistake.

Having said that, many apologies!

[deep, baritone voice]...on the Internet, no one can see you wink!... [/deep, baritone voice]

RufusAtticus · 02-03-2003, 02:52 PM

Did anyone else catch this in the professor's autobiography?

Quote:

I instead chose to enter a Roman Catholic order of teaching brothers (the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known in the U.S. simply as the Christian Brothers). As a young brother, I majored in biology and minored in religious studies at St. Mary's College, Moraga, California. I graduated magna cum laude in 1977 and was assigned by my religious superiors to teach at La Salle High School in Pasadena, California, where I remained for 4 years, teaching various courses in biology and religion and earning a California Secondary Teaching Credential.

Albion · 02-03-2003, 04:36 PM

Well, he said he'd ended his stint with his order, but he hasn't said anything about his faith (not that I'm saying he should or anything, but I wonder if he's now an atheist or a theistic evolutionist - I'm sort of hoping the latter, because that'd make this "religious discrimination" lawsuit look ridiculous).

BrotherMan · 02-03-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doubting Didymus
You overestimate the opposition.

No, no, no! tgamble misunderestimates the opposition.

I'll learn you some vocabilary, if'n it's the last thing I do!

Coragyps · 02-03-2003, 07:03 PM

Oddly enough, there hasn't been a letter to the editor yet on this subject in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. (Despite the name, that's a newspaper.) If you lived out here in fundyland, you would be mildly surprised by that lack, too.

RufusAtticus · 02-04-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albion
Well, he said he'd ended his stint with his order, but he hasn't said anything about his faith (not that I'm saying he should or anything, but I wonder if he's now an atheist or a theistic evolutionist - I'm sort of hoping the latter, because that'd make this "religious discrimination" lawsuit look ridiculous).

The NYTimes spoke to some of his students who said that he was still a devout catholic.

Albion · 02-04-2003, 11:20 AM

I wonder if Micah Spradling knows he's still a devout Catholic. This probe could become very interesting if it starts depending on the fundy definition of who's a True Christian and who isn't.

RufusAtticus · 02-10-2003, 08:07 AM

Here are some links to the Texas Tech student paper.

Dept. of Justice probes professor's policy

Anthony Rudine: Does policy violate First Amendment?

Michael Duff: Are creation, evolution exclusive?

Professor's policy reveals bias

KC · 02-10-2003, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Spradling is not a victim of academic discrimination. Spradling is a crusading opportunist who thought he could make headlines, complaining about a recommendation he never asked for.

Amen.

KC

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02-03-2003, 12:38 AM	#42
VonEvilstein Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: .nl Posts: 822	Ahem, here we go then... Being fairly new here, and not knowing the veterans yet by reputation, and having seen some of the outrageously moronic posts some people have made, and not knowing whether the violins were sarcastic or perhaps gloating in the perceived victory... it was an honest mistake. Having said that, many apologies! [deep, baritone voice]...on the Internet, no one can see you wink!... [/deep, baritone voice]

02-03-2003, 04:36 PM	#44
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Well, he said he'd ended his stint with his order, but he hasn't said anything about his faith (not that I'm saying he should or anything, but I wonder if he's now an atheist or a theistic evolutionist - I'm sort of hoping the latter, because that'd make this "religious discrimination" lawsuit look ridiculous).

02-03-2003, 07:03 PM	#46
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Oddly enough, there hasn't been a letter to the editor yet on this subject in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. (Despite the name, that's a newspaper.) If you lived out here in fundyland, you would be mildly surprised by that lack, too.

02-04-2003, 11:20 AM	#48
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	I wonder if Micah Spradling knows he's still a devout Catholic. This probe could become very interesting if it starts depending on the fundy definition of who's a True Christian and who isn't.

02-10-2003, 08:07 AM	#49
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Here are some links to the Texas Tech student paper. Dept. of Justice probes professor's policy Anthony Rudine: Does policy violate First Amendment? Michael Duff: Are creation, evolution exclusive? Professor's policy reveals bias

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