Constitutional Law

Astronomer claims he lost U. of Kentucky job because of faith

By By The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. ? An astronomer is suing the University of Kentucky, claiming he was denied a job running its observatory because of his Christian faith.

Martin Gaskell was once considered the leading candidate to be the founding director of the observatory, opened in 2008.

The Courier-Journal reports that a trial has been set for Feb. 8 after a federal judge ruled Gaskell that has the right to a jury trial.

Gaskell, who is currently a research fellow at the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory, argues that the school discriminated against him because he had given lectures in the past discussing astronomy and the Bible and his questions about the theory of evolution, even though he says he accepts it.

The university has acknowledged there were questions about Gaskell?s beliefs, but there was valid scientific concern. It also claims there were other factors in denying him the job, including a poor performance review in a previous job.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on December 12, 2010 (boomark / email).