Only if you believe that ALL discriminations are inappropriate. It is inappropriate to discriminate on the basis of religion. It is NOT inappropriate to discriminate on the basis of a stated willingness to do a job as specified and contracted.
On Mar 23, 2009, at 1:41 AM, Michael Smith wrote: > > > But do they? That was the point. > > "Would you hire a Christian Scientist to direct a public health > program?" Yes. > > Would a Christian Scientist not be able to direct a public health > program? > > If you are apriori excluding Christian Scientists from directing > public programs then that is discrimination based on religion. > > Could said minister be a creationist and still do his job > admirably? Yes. But very unlikely. We screen out unlikely candidates all the time. > Could Richard Dawkins impartially and sensitively carry out his > obligations as Chair for the Public Understanding of Science? See my post on objectivity. > Well, OK, some things aren't possible, but I think my main point > still stands. > > --Mike > > > > On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 10:13 PM, Paul Brandon > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > When religious beliefs conflict with one's function as a science > minister they become relevant to job function. > Would you hire a Christian Scientist to direct a public health > program? > One has a right to one's beliefs; one does not have a right to hold > a job that one refuses (for whatever reason) to perform properly > (according to contract, job description, etc). > And in this case it doesn't sound like there was any problem > knowing what his beliefs were (at least to the extent that they > compromised his support for science). > > On Mar 22, 2009, at 10:38 PM, Michael Smith wrote: > >> Hmmm. Seems all the good stuff happens when I'm not around. >> (I wonder if that's a conspiracy...nah...can't be...I think) >> >> Why is it important to know his beliefs? >> >> Are we not supposed to hire people for positions without >> predjudice with regard to religion, color, sexual orientation etc? >> >> --Mike >> >> >> On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 6:24 PM, William Scott >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> Chris Green sez: >> ------ >> "I think the major reason that attention >> has suddenly become focused on the Science Minister is that his >> government just cut the budgets of the major research funding >> agencies >> as part of their "economic stimulus" package. Go figr." >> ---------- >> But he, himself, objected to those cuts!! >> >> I'm taken with the following comments by Lorna Dueck in the >> Toronto Globe & Mail: >> >> "He made a defensive stumble in an environment he assumed would >> not allow the breadth of questions needed to explore Christianity >> and science. He drew the line around his faith tightly, with what >> appears to be a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. The fact that we >> cannot intelligently explore a science minister's personal beliefs >> in God because it's deemed political suicide in a sound-bite >> culture should alarm us all about the erosion of our freedoms." >> >> While I agree that it is important to know his beliefs, I do >> understand the defensiveness which led to his statements. >> >>> "Christopher D. Green" <[email protected]> 03/18/09 7:53 PM >>> >> [email protected] wrote: >> > Our Science Minister, (yes, our _science_ minister), with the proud >> > title of federal Minister of State for Science and Technology, was >> > asked whether he "believed in evolution". >> > >> > >> And then... >> > Shame on us. >> > >> >> Indeed. However, it has been long known that the current Minister of >> International Trade (and former Leader of the Opposition) >> Stockwell Day >> is a "young Earth creationist." I think the major reason that >> attention >> has suddenly become focused on the Science Minister is that his >> government just cut the budgets of the major research funding >> agencies >> as part of their "economic stimulus" package. Go figr. >> >> Chris > > Paul Brandon > Emeritus Professor of Psychology > Minnesota State University, Mankato > [email protected] > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) Paul Brandon 10 Crown Hill Lane Mankato, MN 56001 [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
