AP: JPL worker sues over intelligent design demotion

[bystander]

JPL worker sues over intelligent design demotion

A Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) worker who passed out religious DVDs on the job is suing the JPL for discrimination after he was demoted.

David Coppedge's lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles County says he was demoted last April for discussing his views in the workplace. He wants a court order allowing him to discuss his beliefs.

Coppedge is an information technology specialist on the Cassini space mission exploring Saturn. He's also a Christian who promotes the concept that an intelligent being created the universe.

Defendants in the lawsuit include his supervisor, JPL and the California Institute of Technology, which runs JPL.

I think there's some ID at work here. Someone saw an opportunity to make money. (ID 10 T)

[Chris Peterson]

JPL worker sues over intelligent design demotion

A Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) worker who passed out religious DVDs on the job is suing the JPL for discrimination after he was demoted.

The courts have ruled that religious organizations can fire, or refuse to hire, employees who don't share their religious beliefs. I don't see why an overtly scientific organization shouldn't be able to fire a person who is anti-science.

[bystander]

The courts have ruled that religious organizations can fire, or refuse to hire, employees who don't share their religious beliefs. I don't see why an overtly scientific organization shouldn't be able to fire a person who is anti-science.

I agree. I think we may be about to find out if the courts agree. I can't imagine why someone would think it was acceptable behavior.

[Chris Peterson]

I agree. I think we may be about to find out if the courts agree. I can't imagine why someone would think it was acceptable behavior.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting firing somebody for their religious beliefs. Religion is not generally anti-science, but is largely in a category of its own. Intelligent design, however, is pseudoscience. A person who promotes it is actively working against scientific inquiry, and I don't think a person like that belongs at a scientific institution like JPL.

[makc]

I think there's some ID at work here. Someone saw an opportunity to make money.

you mean that dude doesn't really believe in ID and just wants to make some money from lawsuit?

[owlice]

More info here: http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_14909557

[wonderboy]

This is stupid. Whether your building jet propulsion engines for astronauts to explore space, or for astronauts to find an intelligent being IN space who created the universe, the goal is the same. Space Exploration. The guy shouldn't have been handing out DVD's at work regarding his religion. That should be saved for after work when he's not getting paid for handing out DVD's. At most he should have got a final written warning, or whatever the next best thing to a sacking is in America. He shouldn't have been demoted, or forced to quit. This is simple heavy handedness on behalf of his employers who don't understand a hoot what religious discrimination is all about. This guy will probably get a shizzle load of money for handing out DVD's which he will no doubt plough into his religion, or building his own rocket to find this intelligent being.



Paul.

[Chris Peterson]

He shouldn't have been demoted, or forced to quit. This is simple heavy handedness on behalf of his employers who don't understand a hoot what religious discrimination is all about.

Religious dogma may be at odds with scientific conclusions, but religion doesn't generally pretend to be science. Intelligent design, however, is pseudoscience- in this case, driven by religious motives. It is entirely reasonable that a scientific employer would be concerned with an employee who pushes pseudoscience. It strongly suggests that the employee is not scientifically literate- and that might well be grounds for a demotion or firing.

The courts have found that ID is a religion. In the workplace, an employer can legally restrict religious discussion and proselytizing, so it's not likely that JPL will suffer any legal consequences. However you look at it, the employee was at fault.