KU prof's e-mail irks fundamentalists (Christian Bashing OK)

Wichita Eagle ^ | 25 Nov 2005 | Associated Press

[Exton1]

KU prof's e-mail irks fundamentalists

http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/living/religion/13252419.htm

Associated Press

LAWRENCE - Critics of a new course that equates creationism and intelligent design with mythology say an e-mail sent by the chairman of the University of Kansas religious studies department proves the course is designed to mock fundamentalist Christians.

In a recent message on a Yahoo listserv, Paul Mirecki said of the course "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationisms and Other Religious Mythologies":

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

He signed the note "Doing my part (to upset) the religious right, Evil Dr. P."

Kansas Provost David Shulenburger said Wednesday that he regretted the words Mirecki used but that he supported the professor and thought the course would be taught in a professional manner.

"My understanding was that was a private e-mail communication that somehow was moved out of those channels and has become a public document," Shulenburger said.

The course was added to next semester's curriculum after the Kansas State Board of Education adopted new school science standards that question evolution.

The course will explore intelligent design, which contends that life is too complex to have evolved without a "designer." It also will cover the origins of creationism, why creationism is an American phenomenon and creationism's role in politics and education.

State Sen. Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe, said she was concerned by Mirecki's comments in the e-mail.

"His intent to make a mockery of Christian beliefs is inappropriate," she said.

Mirecki said the private e-mail was accessed by an outsider.

"They had been reading my e-mails all along," he said. "Where are the ethics in that, I ask."

When asked about conservative anger directed at him and the new course, Mirecki said: "A lot of people are mad about what's going on in Kansas, and I'm one of them."

Mirecki has been taking criticism since the course was announced.

"This man is a hateful man," said state Sen. Kay O'Connor, R-Olathe. "Are we supposed to be using tax dollars to promote hatred?"

But others support Mirecki.

Tim Miller, a fellow professor in the department of religious studies, said intelligent design proponents are showing that they don't like having their beliefs scrutinized.

"They want their religion taught as fact," Miller said. "That's simply something you can't do in a state university."

Hume Feldman, associate professor of physics and astronomy, said he planned to be a guest lecturer in the course. He said the department of religious studies was a good place for intelligent design.

"I think that is exactly the appropriate place to put these kinds of ideas," he said.

John Altevogt, a conservative columnist and activist in Kansas City, said the latest controversy was sparked by the e-mail.

"He says he's trying to offend us," Altevogt said. "The entire tenor of this thing just reeks of religious bigotry."

Brownlee said she was watching to see how the university responded to the e-mail.

"We have to set a standard that it's not culturally acceptable to mock Christianity in America," she said.

University Senate Executive Committee Governance Office - 33 Strong Hall, 4-5169

Faculty

SenEx Chair

Joe Heppert, jheppert@ku.edu , Chemistry, 864-2270 Ruth Ann Atchley, ratchley@ku.edu , Psychology, 864-9816 Richard Hale, rhale@ku.edu ,Aerospace Engineering, 864-2949 Bob Basow, basow@ku.edu , Journalism, 864-7633 Susan Craig, scraig@ku.edu , Art & Architecture, 864-3020 Margaret Severson, mseverson@Ku.edu , Social Welfare, 864-8952
University Council President Jim Carothers, jbc@ku.edu , English 864-3426 (Ex-officio on SenEx)

Paul Mirecki, Chair The Department of Religious Studies, 1300 Oread Avenue, 102 Smith Hall, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Kansas,Lawrence, KS 66045-7615 (785) 864-4663 Voice (785) 864-5205 FAX rstudies@ku.edu

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

They will offer a boatload of excuses, the editorital pages of the state will defend them, and ultimately KU will do whatever they want as taxpayers are forced to fund it. It is fine if they offend and bash religion, just as long as they never say anything positive. That's KU for you. Never send your kid there unless you want him/her to get an education in pornography along with the anti-Christian everything else.

[curtisgardner]

Mirecki said the private e-mail was accessed by an outsider. "They had been reading my e-mails all along," he said. "Where are the ethics in that, I ask."

Typical response of the Left. Dont address the real issue; instead get mad that someone called you on it.

[Oztrich Boy]

I don't thibk we have all the facts here.

[BibChr]

Normally (unless this post deters them), this will also bring out all the God-haunted FReepers, who will never admit Christian-bashing -- unless *maybe* someone strangles a Christian, all the while screaming, "I hate you because you're a Christian and I am strangling you because you are a Christian!"

Dan
Biblical Christianity BLOG

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Aren't we missing a rather large point here?

The guy who sent the email mocking religion wasn't just any old liberal prof. He is . . . the chairman of the religious studies department!

This is the equivalent of appointing David Duke chairman of the African-American Studies department!

[Right Wing Professor]

Brownlee said she was watching to see how the university responded to the e-mail. "We have to set a standard that it's not culturally acceptable to mock Christianity in America," she said.

Ah, I see. So Christianity is to be above criticism.

Somebody email Senator Brownlee a copy of the First Amendment.

[realpatriot]

"I don't thibk we have all the facts here."

No. But we have enough.

[orionblamblam]

>"This man is a hateful man," said state Sen. Kay O'Connor, R-Olathe. "Are we supposed to be using tax dollars to promote hatred?"
...
"He says he's trying to offend us," Altevogt said. "The entire tenor of this thing just reeks of religious bigotry."


Huh. I thought I was reading DU there for a second, what with these being the sort of whines you get from the Left. Sad to see them coming from those supposedly on the Right.

[dsc]

Hey, where are all those guys who are always saying on the evolution threads that nobody in academia thinks or acts like this?

[orionblamblam]

> So Christianity is to be above criticism.

So it seems. Remember, many equate Young Earth Creationist Fundie-ism with being the only *real* Christians... those peopel who profess to be Christian and yet who understand what science has shown, why, they're not *real* Christians.

[realpatriot]

You miss the fact that he is paid with taxes. I suppose you also support that loathsome Churchill guy also. Your screen name maybe should be "Somewhat Right Wing by Comparison, Professor"

[orionblamblam]

Thinks or acts like what? Poking fun at religious fundies? I know of no-one who thinks that rational people don't find that amusing.

[Oztrich Boy]

This is the equivalent of appointing David Duke chairman of the African-American Studies department!

Now be honest. What would your reaction be to finding the chairman of a Unversity African-American Studies department had mocked Louis Farrakan?

[realpatriot]

"What would your reaction be to finding the chairman of a Unversity African-American Studies department had mocked Louis Farrakan?"

In a sane world, that would be mandatory.

[MEG33]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1528332/posts
CONSERVATIVE AND PROLIFE PROFESSOR AWARDED PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR AWARD


Posted on 11/25/2005 8:42:57 AM CST by Lawrence Roberge


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: November 17, 2005 Jill Minette, CASE, 202-478-5666 Professor Lawrence Roberge, 413-547-8448

NATIONAL HONORS FOR TOP PROFESSOR IN CONNECTICUT

(Washington, DC)-The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education have named Lawrence F. Roberge at Goodwin College the 2005 Connecticut Professor of the Year. Professor Roberge was selected from among nearly 400 top professors in the United States.

snip

He asks us to support and encourage the teachers and professors who are conservative..

[Coyoteman]

===> Placemarker <===

[dsc]

"Poking fun at religious fundies? I know of no-one who thinks that rational people don't find that amusing."

And Barbara Streisand knows of no one who thinks that rational people aren't rabid leftists.

[Right Wing Professor]

Hey, where are all those guys who are always saying on the evolution threads that nobody in academia thinks or acts like this?

He's a religious studies prof. I have no idea what motivates one to be such a thing, and he's certainly not a scientist.

I have no problem with the course. However, the prof. seems to be an immature a$$hole - I share his frustration with fundamentalists, but why would you act it out in such a manner on a listserv? In response to fundamentalist encroachments, I too taught a seminar course a couple of years back. It was called The chemical basis of evolution, and it was a serious science course, where students learned to do molecular cladistics and verify for themselves the common descent of organisms, as well as examine various theories of abiogenesis. Half the class dropped after the first meeting, when they found they'd actually have to learn some science.

In other words, I have no problem with teaching a course in response to current events, even a course with a strong point of view. I have no problem with the guy expressing his view of fundamentalists on an internet listserv. But I take my teaching way too seriously to brag about how my course was an effort, in effect, to 'stick it to the fundies'.