From The Back Pew:

There was an article in Monday’s Pasadena Star-News about a Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee who alleges that he is the victim of religious discrimination and retaliation, all because he shared DVDs promoting “his views on evolution,” according to the article. David Coppedge, according to the article, is an IT employee at JPL, who writes a blog about the theory of intelligent design — that is, the theory that Darwin’s theory of evolution is bogus, and that we and the universe as we know it were all created by one intelligent being (see the 20th episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s” sixth season titled “The Chase” for reference).

In fact, Coppedge has a section devoted to bogus evolution theories called “Stupid Evolution Quote of the Week,” showing a picture of Darwin’s head attached to what looks like a piece of sausage. The entire blog is a must-read, insomnia-curing dissertation on the best arguments anywhere against Darwin’s theory of evolution. Now, I don’t mean to make fun of Coppedge’s blog, but because I’m a Web designer, I can say the blog could be better organized. I mean, the thing is huge, uses different-colored text, and the text itself blends into a giant blob after reading it for a while.

Here is an example of his writing: “Evolution makes sense when you think in generalities. When you look at things in detail, and measure is required to make them function, you start thinking in terms of design specifications.

You want to imitate them. When you try to imitate them, you become an intelligent design believer.” And “Can evolution be programmed?”

And while I welcome Coppedge’s theories of intelligent design and the hard work he has put into his blog, I think I am going to have to side with JPL on this one.

Even my own company would frown upon an employee going around discussing religious beliefs and sharing DVDs with fellow employees on company time. When would we get any work done?

(Except me, of course, because I could always just say that it’s part of my research!)

While I respect Coppedge’s ideas, the last thing I would want is to be hounded by another person at my work station while I’m trying to do my work.

For people with a strong dedication to their belief, it is sometimes irresistible to go to the next person over and try to get them to listen to you. You want that conversation. You need that conversation. But there’s a time and place for it.

The case may not get anywhere, according to a Loyola Law School professor, because intelligent design is considered to be a religious belief, and companies are free to regulate the amount of religious dialogue that takes place during company hours — from little to none at all.

Get in touch MICHAEL J. ARVIZU is a reporter for the La Cañada Valley Sun. Call (818) 637-3263.