Virginia Commonwealth University professor canned

In an e-mail message yesterday, Sparks asserted that his criticism of the textbook "may only be the tip of the spear" in the debate over creationism at VCU.

"I expect additional complaints will arise from students, since the faculty will likely be subject to a certain climate of fear that arises from having one's colleague dismissed for enjoying the constitutional guarantee of a free press," Sparks wrote.

I'm sure this had nothing to do with his anti-creationist views in a state (Virgina) that got a D- in Darwinism from the Fordham Foundation, and a state with more IDEA chapters than any other, and a state that hosted the world's biggest YEC mega conference in 2004 only a few hours from VCU. No siree bob, creationists had not a thing to do with Sparks dismissal.

I would presume it's just as the Dean himself said:

But Robert D. Holsworth, dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences at VCU, said Sparks never had a contract to begin with.

Holsworth said adjuncts are hired on an as-needed basis, and there was no negative decision made about Sparks as a result of his criticism of the textbook, titled "Essentials of Biology" published by McGraw-Hill.

Or, if you think the thing is still alive, perhaps you could offer a link to a news story? No, you noted that's not the case.

Maybe next time, before taking a two-weeks-old story, you could check to see if there were any new developments?

This was a very instightful post. Something that would not have occured to me had you not pointed it out. Your Serfdom reference was right on. I think you and Mike have been prophetic! Thank you.

I would welcome speculations of how the landscape may unfold in the post-wedge world.

Salvador
FYI:
I wanted to inform you an IDEA chapter was being planned for VCU, but because the students involved were biology majors, for their safety we decided otherwise (Virginia apparently is a hotbed for ID at the college level!).

However, my informants at VCU tell me several of the tenured, near-retirement pro-ID Chemistry faculty are openly disdainful to the anti-ID bio faculty. Threatiness comes in all forms!

This just in: Creationism is still seriously dead.

Keep deluding yourselves. Wishing it to be true does not make it so. We all know that beliefs can be and have been changed. So why is the belief that the Darwinian story is inadequate still prevalent? Could it be because the storytellers have not told a compelling story?

If there's any new developments in the case, Google News doesn't mention it. Considering that you have a record of playing hard-and-fast with the truth, maybe you could offer a link to a news story?

Most creationists are about 30 to 40 years behind in science. You guys are usually more up on things as they happen. This issue is dead and gone.

"How much more of a non-story can you guys get?"

Apparently one that Eugenie Scott found it necessary to comment on.

How much more of a non-story can you guys get?

"This just in: Creationism is still seriously dead."

…he found a direct reference to the California-based Institute for Creation Research, stating that the organization "advocates that students be taught an 'intelligent-design theory.'"

Is this even accurate, or is it a not-so-subtle attempt by he author to enforce the ID=Creationism stereotype?

Creationists believe that "creation science" is science and should be taught. Why would they recommend the teaching of ID when they have creation science?