Mirecki hospitalized after beating (KU Relig. prof. who mocked religion)

Lawrence Journal World ^ | 12/05/05 | Ron Knox

[Will_Zurmacht]

Mirecki hospitalized after beating

By Ron Knox, Eric Weslander (Contact)

Originally published 05:37 p.m., December 5, 2005 Updated 06:31 p.m., December 5, 2005

Douglas County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the reported beating of a Kansas University professor who gained recent notoriety for his Internet tirades against Christian fundamentalists.

Kansas University religious studies professor Paul Mirecki reported he was beaten by two men about 6:40 a.m. today on a roadside in rural Douglas County. In a series of interviews late this afternoon, Mirecki said the men who beat him were making references to the controversy that has propelled him into the headlines in recent weeks. Mirecki

Mirecki

“I didn’t know them, but I’m sure they knew me,” he said.

Mirecki said he was driving to breakfast when he noticed the men tailgating him in a pickup truck.

“I just pulled over hoping they would pass, and then they pulled up real close behind,” he said. “They got out, and I made the mistake of getting out.”

He said the men beat him about the upper body with their fists, and he said he thinks they struck him with a metal object. He was treated and released at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“I’m mostly shaken up, and I got some bruises and sore spots,” he said.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Officials are classifying the case as an aggravated battery. They wouldn’t say exactly where the incident happened, citing the ongoing investigation

The sheriff’s department is looking for the suspects, described as two white males between ages 30 and 40, one wearing a red visor and wool gloves, and both wearing jeans. They were last seen in a large pickup truck.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 843-TIPS or the sheriff’s office at 841-0007.

Mirecki recently wrote online that he planned to teach intelligent design as mythology in an upcoming course. He wrote it would be a “nice slap” in the “big fat face” of fundamentalists.

The remarks caused an uproar, Mirecki apologized, and KU announced last week the class would be canceled.

[highball]

I see.

Interesting rationalization.

I am not convinced that it happened, but if it did, I expect a lot of crow to be eaten by those who are currently dancing in our virtual streets over this beating.

[grey_whiskers]

But, hey...I'm sure that if you'd been there when Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone," you'd have had that rock downrange in under a second.

Given the vitriol evidenced on the crevo threads, it's more like:

Let he who has run out of stones commit the first sin.

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

So, have you killed any abortionists, or are you the sort who's too cowardly to do your own dirty work?

Actually, if you think about it, the abortionists have prob'ly killed a considerable number of (would-have-been future) abortionists.

Occupation-based Darwin awards aplenty.

[grey_whiskers]

It ends with Jesus picking the adulteress up, then saying, "Now go and sin no more."

Except in Bill Clinton's Revised Edition^TM, it says
"Now go and sin some more"

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

My wife told me today she's scared it's exactly the kind of thing I'd do. And living in this part of the country, you really don't expect violence.

May I respectfully suggest that you stay on Free Republic to exercise your Free-Speech-Rights-to-Flame-People-on-a-moment's-notice^TM?

From what I've seen of you on your blog, it doesn't seem like you'd do too well in a physcial altercation.

Unless of course you practice your Second Amendment rights, too ;-)

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

Whatever my case is, it's curable. Stupidity is a lifetime condition that only grows worse with age.

--reminiscent of the fine old W.C. Fields retort ending with "...but I'll be sober in the morning!"

Cheers!

[grey_whiskers]

Not a rationalization. I just don't have enough information to feel comfortable with a firm decision yet.

The old fashioned "I don't know."

Kind of in short supply on these threads...

Cheers!

[Doctor Stochastic]

So what have we to be ashamed of pray tell.

You ought to be ashamed of those who endorse act.

[King Prout]

well...

can't say I dismiss this story, but...

can't say I don't have "what's the frequency, Kenneth" looping through my noggin upon reading it.

[zeeba neighba]

Can he tell just which version of the bible they thumped him with?

[puroresu]

I don't think you have anything to worry about from us Christians, professor.

But if we were gone, and it was you vs. Islam, without us to defend Western Civilization, you might have some worries. You secularists are doing a pointedly lousy job of defending Western values in France, Canada, Holland, Sweden, and anyplace else Islam has taken root. You might think about the consequences of a society where it's atheism vs. Islam. Only a fool would bet against the Mullahs.

[PatrickHenry]

those who are currently dancing in our virtual streets over this beating.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"So why are we fighting a war on terror and not on abortion."

So what's stopping YOU from being the great big war hero, aside from the fact that, by your own publicly-expressed standard, you're a physical and moral coward?

[Fester Chugabrew]

I DO have a moral anchor . . .

Yeah. The same "moral anchor" that supports the establishment of university classes dedicated to the ridicule of other peoples beliefs. The same "moral anchor" that equates a light pummeling with terrorism.

Maybe if you'd pull that "moral anchor" out of your behind I'll loosen that vice grip on my head.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"The same "moral anchor" that equates a light pummeling with terrorism."

I think you need to reread post 461 before you make such idiotic statements. I am equating bombing abortion clinics and the other acts of Eric Rudolph with terrorism, because THAT is what they are. THAT is what the other creationist posters have been defending here, explicitly. How say you?

[Right Wing Professor]

I don't think you have anything to worry about from us Christians, professor.

Not here. I think the people on this thread opining Mirecki was not beaten enough, or comparing him gleefully with the 'little queer' in Wyoming, or celebrating the life of Eric Rudolph (who, let's recall, also bombed Olympic Park and a gay disco), are gasbags who'd run like dye in a cheap shirt if they heard a car backfire.

But telling me the fire is a little cooler than the frying pan isn't very inviting, A colleague of mine in a University 100 miles south of mine man, and I stress the word, have been beaten by one of you lot for speaking out, however immaturely he did so. You'll pardon me if I make up my own mind whether y'all are threats.

[Fester Chugabrew]

I am equating bombing abortion clinics and the other acts of Eric Rudolph with terrorism . . .

You're bringing terrorism into a thread about some loon who got beat up. Why? You may be a master baiter, but I'm not taking the bait. At bottom you support professors who set up classes to ridicule the beliefs of others, and then think it odd that such a professor might suffer a little punishment at the hands of other fools. You further would like to paint all Christians as complicit in such foolery, which in turn makes you no different than this goofy professor, complicit in his attempts at ridiculing others, and complicit in his attempts at painting all Christians with the broad brush of terrorism.

Your chest-beating "disgust" is hollow and disgusting in itself.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"You're bringing terrorism into a thread about some loon who got beat up. Why?"

I didn't bring it up, someone else did. Learn to read, Fester.

"At bottom you support professors who set up classes to ridicule the beliefs of others, and then think it odd that such a professor might suffer a little punishment at the hands of other fools. You further would like to paint all Christians as complicit in such foolery, which in turn makes you no different than this goofy professor, complicit in his attempts at ridiculing others, and complicit in his attempts at painting all Christians with the broad brush of terrorism."

You're making yourself look even more foolish than normal, which is a feat in itself.

"Your chest-beating "disgust" is hollow and disgusting in itself."

Your inability to disavow the support of Eric Rudolph made by certain of your creationist buddies is disgusting.

[Right Wing Professor]

A colleague of mine in a University 100 miles south of mine man, and I stress the word

I guess if you're going to stress the word, you should spell it right.

A colleague of mine in a University 100 miles south of mine may, and I stress the word

[F.J. Mitchell]

LOL! W.C. did have a way with words.