Should Young Earth Creationists be denied jobs?

	Should Young Earth Creationists be denied jobs? In the United States, there is supposed to be separation between church and state. As I see it, advocating young earth creationism (YEC) is a strictly religious issue. Given that, should those who advocate YEC be denied jobs in any scientific establishment, school or any college or university that receives state or federal funds? In addition, it seems to me that those who believe in YEC already have their minds made up. If a scientist already has his or her mind made up to the possibility of new developments and/or other possibilities, is it not a waste of taxpayer's money to pay the salary of that scientist? I have no problems with private industry hiring whomever they wish, but although I have not totally made up my mind about what I have mentioned above, I am leaning that way. If you think I am right let me know. If you think I am wrong, please explain why. Thank you for your thoughts. My apologies. I meant to limit it to scientists. If a scientist has already closed his or her mind, then is not that scientist a much less effective one? I do not think it is possible to live any semblance of a normal life without having to make assumptions occasionally, but I have found that I make far fewer assumptions then do most people. An example of an assumption that I might make is that when I put a gallon of milk in the refrigerator, I assume that that refrigerator is going to keep it cold. But when it comes to people I find that making assumptions generally is very unwise. My belief is that most Christians understand that the story of creation in Genesis is not meant to be taken literally. The young earth creationists are, in my considered opinion, a small minority of Christianity. That is why I never mentioned Christians or Christianity in my question. Asked By: B Knott Wildered - 6/6/2012

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Those people can keep quiet about their beliefs and still be seen as unemployable! As for science it is very, very rare for even a practicing GOOD Christian to go into science because their beliefs clash with reality! Only 7 percent of members of the American National Academy of Sciences believed in God. Whilst only 3.3 percent believed in God in the UK’s Royal Society. Answered By: Nous - 6/6/2012

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I guess my question to you is, would you automatically assume that just because a fellow scientist is a Christian and a church goer that he or she is a YEC? I was a Christian for about 20 years and even though I knew, like a lot of other Christians do (believe it or not), that the whole "God created the earth and universe in 6 days 6000 plus years ago" story was just a myth or a metaphor, and that this planet has had life on it for millions of years, as soon as someone like yourself found out I was a Chrisian they would automatically without question assume that I was a YEC and started to try and debate with me on it. I would try to explain to them that just because I believe in a certain faith doesn't mean I'm stupid. I've also discovered that often times the scientific community automatically accepts many of their own theories as facts, like the whole asteroid or comet killing the dinosaurs 65 million years ago story. There are alternative theories by atheists with scientific credentials to the official story of the extinction of the dinosaurs which get ignored just because it doesn't fall in line with the religious cannon set in stone by the main stream scientific community, and some of these alternate theories actually make more sense. So if you banish Christian scientists from teaching just because of the label "Christian" in which you might ASSUME that her or she is a YEC, will you also leave out other people who introduce alternate theories as well, even if they can back it up with evidence? Answered By: kenny.lane - 6/7/2012

They already are. Belief in Creation is career threatening. Prof. Michael Reiss, an evolutionist and the Royal Society’s director of education, resigned under pressure (given the push) within a couple of days of merely suggesting that creationism and ID could be discussed in classrooms—even if it was in order to explain why they were, in his view, wrong. http://creation.com/reiss-resigns-as-royal-society-stifles-debate-on-evolution You should watch The Ben Stein documentary 'Expelled - no intelligence required'. The current situation is deeply worrying for anyone who believes in free speech and scientific freedom Answered By: a Real Truthseeker - 6/7/2012

Yes, they should all be forced to work at Museums of Natural History... ...in the comparative anatomy section. Answered By: Chuck - 6/6/2012

No, otherwise you would have to not hire anyone at all, including atheists. Even a President can be a racist bigot as long as he doesn't impose it on others. And scientists act just like religious people, they won't even do studies on things that they don't believe (obviously a true scientist would be completely open minded.) As long as they aren't forcing their beliefs on others, you can believe what you want. Answered By: Appono Astos - 6/6/2012

Give me a break. if you want to talk nonsense about your creationism while your working than whats the point in working if your not gonna pay attention to the job at hand Answered By: soul6ess - 6/6/2012

They should be denied jobs in the fields of science, maybe. I wouldn't let a holocaust denier work at the holocaust museum. Answered By: Ben - 6/6/2012

I feel as if they should have to have the required classifications for the job at hand (just like everyone else), so no I do not think they should be denied jobs. Answered By: Zervres - 6/6/2012

No, what you said doesn't make sense i believe that all possibilities should be taught and let people make up there own mind. People misunderstand separation of church and state. It has nothing to do with keeping religion from being taught in school. That was in there to prevent the government from establishing a standard religion for all. Answered By: Christopher - 6/6/2012

If a young earth creationist is more than willing to teach actual science, then they shouldn't be denied a job. However, if they're going to be teaching a high school biology class and they refuse to teach evolution, they should be fired for refusing to follow the curriculum. In a university, they should be forced to have a disclaimer on their web page, the way Michael Behe has to have one on his official page at Lehigh University. Source(s): http://www.lehigh.edu/bio/faculty/behe.html Answered By: Anastasia - 6/6/2012

No. What people are allowed to teach should be regulated (religion or young earth creationism has no business being taught in a public school) however, people themselves shouldn't be discriminated against based on their religious or non religious beliefs Answered By: c0ffee_addict2012 - 6/6/2012

Believe it or not, the question is largely moot. Except in VERY rare circumstances, people getting a PhD in a biological science not only accept evolution, but are the very scientists using and studying it. As for BS degrees for teaching in high school, when interviewing for a job, the applicant will have to discuss how they'd handle a student or parent who brought up Creationism or Intelligent Design. It is usually obvious if a speaker is a YEC or IDer, especially if they spout some drivel like "teach the controversy" or that "they aren't convinced" etc. Unless they are a seriously stellar candidate for the position, they won't get it because they lack the knowledge requisite for the position (you can't understand radiometric dating and claim the universe is 6000yrs old). If it isn't germaine to the job, it is illegal to discuss as it is religion, if it's germaine to the job, it is critical to have and understand the information. I don't believe anyone should be denied a position for which they are qualified based on religion, but YECs are, by definition, not qualified to teach what they neither understand nor accept. I will admit, it is possible that a YEC could fake understanding or "belief" enough to hold a position in the sciences, but it's really hard to succeed or innovate without true understanding. Answered By: Momofthreeboys - 6/6/2012

As long as they don't use the workplace for religious gathering and activity, I think it's fine. A few people may discuss whatever they think or believe but I think religious things should stay away from workplace - solely for productivity performance. But peaceful workplace is necessary for it. When two people from different faiths meet at a workplace and have to work together, if there is no workplace rules written down for them, there can be a problem. The problem is there was an outcry against such rules in France when the government declared nobody should bring their religious items to workplace and educational institutions. There was huge outcry I think you know very well about it. Employing religious people are fine but certain activity shouldn't be brought to workplace. Answered By: Fake Genius - 6/6/2012

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