New York Times - Astronomer Sues the University of Kentucky, Claiming His Faith Cost Him a Job

By MARK OPPENHEIMER, New York Times

In 2007, C. Martin Gaskell, an astronomer at the University of Nebraska, was a leading candidate for a job running an observatory at the University of Kentucky. But then somebody did what one does nowadays: an Internet search.

That search turned up evidence of Dr. Gaskells evangelical Christian faith.

The University of Kentucky hired someone else. And Dr. Gaskell sued the institution.

Whether his faith cost him the job and whether certain religious beliefs may legally render people unfit for certain jobs are among the questions raised by the case, Gaskell v. University of Kentucky.

In late November, a federal judge in Kentucky ruled that the case could go forward, and a trial is scheduled for February. The case represents a rare example, experts say, of a lawsuit by a scientist who alleges academic persecution for his religious faith. . . .

. . . . For the plaintiff, the smoking gun is an e-mail dated Sept. 21, 2007, from a department staff member, Sally A. Shafer, to Dr. Cavagnero and another colleague. Ms. Shafer wrote that she did an Internet search on Dr. Gaskell and found links to his notes for a lecture that explores, among other topics, how the Bible could relate to contemporary astronomy.

Clearly this man is complex and likely fascinating to talk with, Ms. Shafer wrote, but potentially evangelical. If we hire him, we should expect similar content to be posted on or directly linked from the department Web site.. . . .

. . . . Referring to Ms. Shafers concern that Dr. Gaskell was potentially evangelical, Francis J. Manion, Dr. Gaskells lawyer, said: I couldnt have made up a better quote. We like this guy, but he is potentially Jewish? Potentially Muslim?

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