by Mike Gray     

It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that). — Richard Dawkins     

One wonders how Dawkins would classify an Israeli scientist fired for his views:     

Heresy. Is that the right word to use here? It seems so harsh! But that is precisely how skepticism of evolution and anthropogenic global warming are treated in modern academic, political, and social discourse.     

Creationists can’t really expect a fair hearing in the public square any more. Any who hint that even ID should be given a hearing, even if they make plain their allegiance to the orthodox Darwinist dogma, are berated, ostracized, and even dismissed from their employ. Dr. Gavriel Avital is merely the latest of a long series of high-profile scientists who have voiced skepticism at these sacred cows of modern academia and has paid the ultimate professional price—termination.   

— Shaun Doyle, “Heresy in Israel! Chief education scientist dismissed for denying evolution and global warming,” CMI     

Haaretz Daily reported:     

Dr. Gavriel Avital has generated controversy in the past for his statements questioning the validity of Darwin’s theory of evolution. He has also challenged conventional theory on pollution’s effects on global warming.     

“Someone who holds the opinions of Avital cannot serve as chief scientist of the Education Ministry,” said a ministry official.
     

“It is Sa’ar’s right to fire me,” Avital said. “I speak about principles and somebody did not like this.”
     

. . . . Avital sparked a furor among environmental activists and scholars earlier this year with remarks questioning the reliability of evolution and global warming. In a series of written and oral statements casting doubts on the fundamental tenets of modern science, Avital proposed other methods of teaching—which led several environmentalists to call for his dismissal.
     

“If textbooks state explicitly that human beings’ origins are to be found with monkeys, I would want students to pursue and grapple with other opinions. There are many people who don’t believe the evolutionary account is correct,” Avital said.
     

“There are those for whom evolution is a religion and are unwilling to hear about anything else. Part of my responsibility, in light of my position with the Education Ministry, is to examine textbooks and curricula,” he said. “If they keep writing in textbooks that the Earth is growing warmer because of carbon dioxide emissions, I’ll insist that isn’t the case.”