[Marxism] Anti-creationism prof quits department chair

["M. Junaid Alam" <alam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Anti-creationism prof quits department chair

*TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- A University of Kansas professor who drew
criticism for e-mails he wrote deriding Christian fundamentalists over
creationism has resigned as chairman of the Department of Religious
Studies.*

Paul Mirecki stepped aside on the recommendation of his colleagues,
according to Barbara Romzek, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences.

"This allows the department to focus on what's most important --
teaching, research and service -- and to minimize the distractions of
the last couple of weeks," Romzek said in a statement Wednesday after
receiving Mirecki's resignation.

Contacted by The Associated Press, Mirecki declined to comment about his
decision, only saying he was still a member of the university faculty
and planned to continue teaching.

Mirecki had planned to teach a course in the spring that examined
creationism and intelligent design after the State Board of Education
adopted science standards treating evolution as a flawed theory.

Originally called "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design,
Creationism and other Religious Mythologies," the course was canceled
last week at Mirecki's request.

A recent e-mail from Mirecki to members of a student organization
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." Mirecki apologized for those comments.

Later, other e-mails written by Mirecki that surfaced were deemed
"repugnant and vile" by Chancellor Robert Hemenway for their views
toward Catholics and other Christians.

On Monday, Mirecki was treated at a Lawrence hospital for head injuries
after he said he was beaten by two men on a country road. He said the
men referred to the creationism course. Law enforcement officials were
investigating.

Mirecki, who joined the university in 1989, is an expert in ancient
Mediterranean cultures, languages and religions.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press
<http://www.cnn.com/interactive_legal.html#AP>. All rights reserved.This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.




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