I had a quick look at the
National Academy of Sciences in the US.
quote:
Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive.
—NAS
My bold.
The link goes on in how members are selected and approved at annual meetings.
Seems like people belonging to the National Academy of Sciences are elected as distinguished scientists, by scientists, themselves.
The history indicates that the organisation officially started in 1863 after legislation passed by the House of Representatives in that year.
You can famililiarize yourself with the
History of NAS .
quote:
In 1916 the Academy established the National Research Council at the request of President Wilson to recruit specialists from the larger scientific and technological communities to participate in the Academy's advisory work to the government.
President Bush affirmed the importance of the Academy and the National Research Council and further broadened it's charter.
So, I guess the NAS is not "controlled" by atheists, but by scientists. Some of them happen to be Christians. Some of them happen to be atheists. Some of them happen to be Buddhists. Some of them happen to be Jews. Some of them happen to be agnostics. They all have one thing in common, though: they achieved and keep on achieving excellence in original research.
Edited by Pressie, : Changed last sentence