Christian Academics Cite Hostility On Campus

[Nina~ 431]

Heard it on NPR, and thought it was interesting.

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Christian Academics Cite Hostility On Campus

by BARBARA BRADLEY HAGERTY

One of the hot debates in academia is now reaching the courts. The question: Do universities discriminate against religious conservatives? Some professors and students say they do, but it's not an easy charge to pin down.

Elaine Howard Ecklund, a Rice University assistant professor of sociology, polled 1,700 university scientists and found that almost half considered themselves religious--but they don't want to talk about it openly.

When Elaine Howard Ecklund began asking top scientists whether they believe in God, she got a surprise. Ecklund, an assistant professor at Rice University and author of the book Science Vs. Religion, polled 1,700 scientists at elite universities. Contrary to the stereotype that most scientists are atheists, she says, nearly half of them say they are religious. But when she did follow up interviews, she found they practice a "closeted faith."

"They just do not want to bring up that they are religious in an academic discussion. There's somewhat of almost a culture of suppression surrounding discussions of religion at these kinds of academic institutions," Ecklund says.

She says the scientists worried that their colleagues would believe they were politically conservative — or worse, subscribed to the theory of intelligent design. Ecklund says they all insisted on anonymity.

Fewer Evangelicals In Academia

And it appears that climate may extend beyond science departments. A poll of 1,200 academics by the Institute for Jewish and Community Research found that more than half said they have unfavorable feelings toward evangelical Christians.

Aryeh Weinberg, who co-authored the study, says one reason for this is that there are relatively few evangelicals in academia.

"The question is, why? Do they self-select out, and if they do, why are they self-selecting out? Are they actually not hired? Are they trying to get hired but not getting hired? Are they getting hired then being forced out, not getting tenure?" Weinberg asks.

Full article

[Ban Hammer 12,841]

i'm shocked. shocked that nina listens to npr!

[Nina~ 431]

i'm shocked. shocked that nina listens to npr!

That is the only way I can listen to BBC news

[Ban Hammer 12,841]

That is the only way I can listen to BBC news

ewww. i don't know you anymore

[Nina~ 431]

ewww. i don't know you anymore

What?!?! You don't get tingly in your pants when you hear "Thank you for listening to BBC world news and I am Julian Marshall in London"

[Ban Hammer 12,841]

What?!?! You don't get tingly in your pants when you hear "Thank you for listening to BBC world news and I am Julian Marshall in London"

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

What?!?! You don't get tingly in your pants when you hear "Thank you for listening to BBC world news and I am Julian Marshall in London"

I know I do. *swoons*