How far will some scientists go to keep the idea of intelligent design (ID) from seeing the light of day? Consider the case of a Smithsonian Institution scientist who has been harassed by museum officials for two years for publishing an article supporting ID.
Ironically enough, Dr. Richard Sternberg is not even a proponent of the theory that life sprang from something other than random chance -- yet he has been demoted and his reputation smeared.
His crime? As managing editor of a biology journal, he published an article by Dr. Steven Meyer supporting ID. Sternberg’s colleagues didn’t like it.
“What I should have done, according to my detractors,” Sternberg said, “was I should have paid attention to who the author was, what he stands for, realize that he is a Christian and place the article in the wastepaper basket.”
Over the past year, a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee has been investigating the subsequent harassment of Sternberg by Smithsonian officials. John West, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, said it’s clear those who head the museum acted inappropriately.
“They have tried to question his religion, his political views, tried to make him really feel so uncomfortable he would resign,” he said, “because they knew that legally they couldn’t fire him.”
The subcommittee report confirms scientists at the museum used work time and computers to defame Sternberg, even asking a private group to spy on him.
“Taxpayers should be really concerned,” Sternberg told Family News in Focus, “that government officials being paid for by tax dollars on their government time are trying to really attack the free speech rights of scientists who disagree with Darwinism.”
His reputation is ruined, he added, and he is considering a lawsuit.
A Smithsonian spokesperson said the museum has no interest in commenting on the issue.
