Mims, an amateur scientist with a degree in government, is also an evangelical Christian who believes in the biblical account of creation and, thus, rejects the scientific concept of evolution. This, he contends, is why he was denied an opportunity last fall to become the regular writer of Scientific American's "The Amateur Scientist" column.
"Not once during this entire controversy has anyone from Scientific American questioned my ability to write the column," Mims noted in a phone interview with The Scientist. Indeed, last year, the magazine published three of his previously written columns after canceling its offer to make him "The Amateur Scientist" columnist.
Ever since last October, when Mims went public with his complaint against the magazine, Scientific American has denied all charges of religious discrimination. According to a letter to Mims from the magazine's lawyers, Mims was denied the column not because of his religious beliefs, but rather ...
