Private e-mails between
The e-mails, made public record by the Discovery Institute, showed a campaign was organized against the distinguished astronomer to deny his tenure because of his views that science points to an intelligent designer. The faculty also wrote that Gonzalez should be lumped with “idiots” and “religious nutcases” and mocked Gonzalez’s intelligent-design work, saying it would study it “(u)nder medication.”
Gonzalez published his theories in his book The Privileged Planet, which he researched and wrote on his own time.
Discovery Institute attorney Casey Luskin, who is defending Gonzalez, said the e-mails prove Gonzalez lost his job because of his views, not because of his job performance.
“Dr. Gonzalez’s rights to academic freedom, free speech and a fair tenure process were trampled on by colleagues who were driven by ideological zeal when they should have made an impartial evaluation of Gonzalez’s notable accomplishments as a scientist,” the Discovery Institute said.
Gonzalez and his attorneys are appealing to the Iowa Board of Regents, which has the authority to overrule the university’s president.
