Kansas Prof. Apologizes for EMail

Kansas Prof. Apologizes for E-Mail DTL November 29, 2005

A University of Kansas religion professor apologized for an e-mail that referred to religious conservatives as "fundies" and said a course describing intelligent design as mythology would be a "nice slap in their big fat face."

In a written apology Monday, Paul Mirecki, chairman of the university's Religious Studies Department, said he would teach the planned clbutt "as a serious academic subject and in an manner that respects all points of view."

Ed You can just reach out and touch the sarcasm it is so thick...

The department faculty approved the course Monday but changed its breastle. The course, originally called "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationisms and other Religious Mythologies," will instead be called "Intelligent Design and Creationism."

The clbutt was added to next spring's curriculum after the Kansas State Board of Education decided to include more criticism of evolution in its standards for science teaching. The vote was seen as a big win for proponents of intelligent design, who argue that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power.

Critics say intelligent design is merely creationism - a literal reading of the Bible's story of creation - camouflaged in scientific language.

Ed. Many would argue that evolution is simply Socialism camoflaged in scientific language - I say let the students ask questions and decide for themselves...

Mirecki's e-mail was sent Nov. 19 to members of the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics, a student organization for which he serves as faculty adviser.

"The fundies (fundamentalists) want it all taught in a science clbutt, but this will be a nice slap in their big fat face by teaching it as a religious studies clbutt under the category mythology."

Mirecki addressed the message to "my fellow damned" and signed off with: "Doing my part to (tick) off the religious right, Evil Dr. P."

Ed. Tolerance and diversity in action eh Doc?

During the weekend, Chancellor Robert Hemenway began a review of Mirecki's e-mail, which resulted in Mirecki's apology, issued Monday night. He called it "an ill-advised e-mail I sent to a small group of students and friends."

The university on Monday defended the teaching of a clbutt on such a timely subject, but some legislators said withholding funding from the school remained a possibility.

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, vice chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, called the e-mail "venomous," adding, "He's not sorry he wrote it. He's sorry it became public."

-- Jim Union Against Multiculty

"Abolish Multiculty and String Up The Traitors!"