A recent discussion elsewhere triggered this thought. Sam Harris opposed Francis Collins appointment as head of the NIH on the basis that Collins’ religious beliefs made him unfit for the office. A number of people have agreed with Harris on this. Harris also indicated in the same article that a Hindu belief would similarly disqualify someone for the post.
There is no doubt from any side about Collins’ scientific qualifications and experience.
Perhaps Harris has a point, but Collins’ beliefs would pretty much match those of any believing Christian and so Harris is effectively proposing a religious test for a senior government post.
That would suggest that Harris is technically opposed to the position of secularism, since secularism would preclude any religious test.
So I was wondering for those who might agree with Harris on this, would you consider yourself a secularist, or believe that the Government should be secular?
There is no doubt from any side about Collins’ scientific qualifications and experience.
Perhaps Harris has a point, but Collins’ beliefs would pretty much match those of any believing Christian and so Harris is effectively proposing a religious test for a senior government post.
That would suggest that Harris is technically opposed to the position of secularism, since secularism would preclude any religious test.
So I was wondering for those who might agree with Harris on this, would you consider yourself a secularist, or believe that the Government should be secular?
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1sRtJsY
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