WE WON!! THE UNIVERSITY HAS OFFICIALLY REAFFIRMED DR. CARSON AS OUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND UPHELD THE PRINCIPLE OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM!! THIS IS A MASSIVE VICTORY FOR FREE EXPRESSION AND I AM BEYOND PROUD OF WHAT WE ACHIEVED TOGETHER!!
July 19, 2012
Stand Up to the Bullies, Emory University: Reaffirm Dr. Ben Carson's Welcome and Defend His Right to Express His Views
Final supporters
We call uponEmory Universitytopublicly reaffirm that the university community welcomes and honors invited Commencement speakerDr. Ben Carson. We further call upon University officials to make clear that they respect Dr. Carson’s right in a free society toexpress honest doubts about Darwinian evolution.
Dr. Carson, who is also supposed to receive an honorary degree from the University, has been the object of an organized bullying campaign by some Emory faculty and students seeking to discredit him for his critical views on Darwinian evolution. In an attack published in Emory’s student newspaper (the Emory Wheel), professors Gerardo, de Roode, Eisen, and Nemenman distorted Dr. Carson’s position on the moral implications of Darwinian materialism and insinuatingly questioned his grasp of the science behind evolution.
Thoughtful people, whether they support Darwinian theory or doubt it, need to join together in support of Ben Carson. He is not only a brilliantly innovative pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University, a generous philanthropist and humanitarian with an inspiring personal story. Dr. Carson is now also a symbol of academic freedom.
In the world of academic biology, chemistry, medicine, cosmology and other fields, scholars who ask tough questions about evolutionary theory are intimidated and silenced by the forces of Darwinian orthodoxy. We are aware of a variety of troubling instances of this, at academic institutions including CalTech, the University of Kentucky, Iowa State University, the Smithsonian Institution, and elsewhere.
Many biologists and other scientists who would speak out, voicing their doubts about Darwin, fear to do so because of the consequences for their future career prospects.
Emory University must take this opportunity to recommit itself to the freedom of scholars to follow the scientific and other evidence wherever it leads. Scholarship is a search for the truth, with no holds barred.
So far, Emory’s administration has only equivocated. In conversations with the media, the university’s apologetic spokesman has shown far more deference to Darwin activists than to Dr. Carson.
That is why Emory must reconfirm its warm welcome of this great man.Emory officials should quickly offer a statement emphasizing that they recognize the right of Dr. Carson to hold and express his views, and that the university community continues to be pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Ben Carson to speak at Commencement on May 14.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
May 12, 2012
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 10, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
May 9, 2012
14 Comments
Censoring a world-renown brain surgeon for his educated and logical views on evolution is arrogant suppression of scientific discussion and intellectual growth. This is not how science advances.
please stop this harassment of Mr. Carson that's trying to get answers just like any other scientist that shouldn't be insulted or talked to offensively it goes both ways its in everyone's interest to discover more things about this complex universe and world whatever the facts may be its always helpful. Sincerely Michael W. Fisher
There is more academic freedom in countries that have never been known for their "freedom." WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR BLIND AND DEAF UNIVERSITY "BIG SHOTS?" YOU ARE RUINING OUR FREEDOM TO HEAR DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW!
One should examine the Neo-Darwinian theory in more detail, from different perspective, such as molecular clock, fossil record, primordial atmosphere, population genetic, origin of biological information etc. I have a strong background in bioinformatics, cosmology and theoretical particle physics.
It is disappointing to see the lack of commitment of Emory University to academic freedom. This debases the the institutional standing of Emory.
Funny, he is now running for president.
There are reports that we HAVE to pay to sign this petition...Do something about that.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
WE WON!! THE UNIVERSITY HAS OFFICIALLY REAFFIRMED DR. CARSON AS OUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND UPHELD THE PRINCIPLE OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM!! THIS IS A MASSIVE VICTORY FOR FREE EXPRESSION AND I AM BEYOND PROUD OF WHAT WE ACHIEVED TOGETHER!!
July 19, 2012
Stand Up to the Bullies, Emory University: Reaffirm Dr. Ben Carson's Welcome and Defend His Right to Express His Views
Final supporters
We call uponEmory Universitytopublicly reaffirm that the university community welcomes and honors invited Commencement speakerDr. Ben Carson. We further call upon University officials to make clear that they respect Dr. Carson’s right in a free society toexpress honest doubts about Darwinian evolution.
Dr. Carson, who is also supposed to receive an honorary degree from the University, has been the object of an organized bullying campaign by some Emory faculty and students seeking to discredit him for his critical views on Darwinian evolution. In an attack published in Emory’s student newspaper (the Emory Wheel), professors Gerardo, de Roode, Eisen, and Nemenman distorted Dr. Carson’s position on the moral implications of Darwinian materialism and insinuatingly questioned his grasp of the science behind evolution.
Thoughtful people, whether they support Darwinian theory or doubt it, need to join together in support of Ben Carson. He is not only a brilliantly innovative pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University, a generous philanthropist and humanitarian with an inspiring personal story. Dr. Carson is now also a symbol of academic freedom.
In the world of academic biology, chemistry, medicine, cosmology and other fields, scholars who ask tough questions about evolutionary theory are intimidated and silenced by the forces of Darwinian orthodoxy. We are aware of a variety of troubling instances of this, at academic institutions including CalTech, the University of Kentucky, Iowa State University, the Smithsonian Institution, and elsewhere.
Many biologists and other scientists who would speak out, voicing their doubts about Darwin, fear to do so because of the consequences for their future career prospects.
Emory University must take this opportunity to recommit itself to the freedom of scholars to follow the scientific and other evidence wherever it leads. Scholarship is a search for the truth, with no holds barred.
So far, Emory’s administration has only equivocated. In conversations with the media, the university’s apologetic spokesman has shown far more deference to Darwin activists than to Dr. Carson.
That is why Emory must reconfirm its warm welcome of this great man.Emory officials should quickly offer a statement emphasizing that they recognize the right of Dr. Carson to hold and express his views, and that the university community continues to be pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Ben Carson to speak at Commencement on May 14.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
May 12, 2012
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 10, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
May 9, 2012
14 Comments
Bullying is totally unacceptable in any form and context, particularly in a high university setting where the market place of competing ideas is supposed to be encouraged and exemplified from the top down (i.e., from administrators to professors and onto students). Dr. Carson has impeccable, academic and moral credentials and has earned the right to be heard from his amazing life story; otherwise, why would Emory have invited him to speak at their Commencement in the first place?
Censoring a world-renown brain surgeon for his educated and logical views on evolution is arrogant suppression of scientific discussion and intellectual growth. This is not how science advances.
please stop this harassment of Mr. Carson that's trying to get answers just like any other scientist that shouldn't be insulted or talked to offensively it goes both ways its in everyone's interest to discover more things about this complex universe and world whatever the facts may be its always helpful. Sincerely Michael W. Fisher
There is more academic freedom in countries that have never been known for their "freedom." WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR BLIND AND DEAF UNIVERSITY "BIG SHOTS?" YOU ARE RUINING OUR FREEDOM TO HEAR DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW!
One should examine the Neo-Darwinian theory in more detail, from different perspective, such as molecular clock, fossil record, primordial atmosphere, population genetic, origin of biological information etc. I have a strong background in bioinformatics, cosmology and theoretical particle physics.
It is disappointing to see the lack of commitment of Emory University to academic freedom. This debases the the institutional standing of Emory.
Funny, he is now running for president.
There are reports that we HAVE to pay to sign this petition...Do something about that.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Bullying is totally unacceptable in any form and context, particularly in a high university setting where the market place of competing ideas is supposed to be encouraged and exemplified from the top down (i.e., from administrators to professors and onto students). Dr. Carson has impeccable, academic and moral credentials and has earned the right to be heard from his amazing life story; otherwise, why would Emory have invited him to speak at their Commencement in the first place?