Kansas Prof. Apologizes for E-Mail [referred to religious conservatives as "fundies" ....]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Kansas Prof. Apologizes for E-Mail

11 minutes ago

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 class "as a serious academic subject and in an manner that respects all points of view."

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

The class 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.

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 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."

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

[Senator Bedfellow]

Scribble scribble - 8:39 PM here in the east. Make sure you spell the name right.

[Mamzelle]

Ewww. I could have done without that. Why are they never good-looking?

[aNYCguy]

aNYCguy: Do not ping me again. Thanks
Mamzelle: Do explain, while you complain.

Second request. Do not ping me again.

[PatrickHenry]

I've warned you before never to post to me, here,at post 25. After that, you did it again, here at post 19. The sooner you're banned, but better this website will be.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

This is becoming a pattern for her.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1529773/posts?page=418#418

And look at how she spits at freeper etiquette and rules on her tagline:

(evoweinie#2--I'm putting you on "virtual ignore!" Second warning, second warning!). Hopefully, her actions have consequences.

[cornelis]

I've warned you before never to post to me, here,at post 25. After that, you did it again, here at post 19. The sooner you're banned, but better this website will be.

Since when did this nonsense start?

[CarolinaGuitarman]

" Since when did this nonsense start?"

Since she refused to follow the rules and not post to people who requested not to be posted to.

[longshadow]

Hey, what happened to all the snappy remarks we were being treated to?

A brief quote from a character in "Miller's Crossing" seems apropo right about now:

"You ever notice how the snappy dialogue dries up... once a guy starts soiling his union suit?"

In the interests of equality and fair-play, the quote should deemed "gender neutral."

[Mamzelle]

Well, dad, I tried to stay on my side of the seat. But it's kinda hard when you're being insulted behind your back, and you have to watch other people being picked on. I don't understand this "virtual ignore" rule.

[Admin Moderator]

We're not going to ban Mamzelle so please drop it.

[Dimensio]

I'll stick to my interpretation of the firm and horrid connections between Darwinists/evos and fascism.

You mean the typical creationist delusions with no basis in reality.

"One of the most insidious features of Darwin's evolutionary speculation was that it sought to erase the fundamental differences between man and animals."

What are the "fundamental differences" between man and animals that are not man? Be specific.

[Chaguito]

Hmmmm...Chairman of Religious Studies Dept. is an atheist. That seems fair enough...

[cornelis]

Be specific.

No need to interrogate. Just join the conversation.

There are a few differences that suggest mankind is distinct from Nature. Some will point to language, others will point out to politics, history and religion. These are all distinguishing features except for occasional Stanley Kubrick fans.

[Chaguito]

First, it has to do with the word "consonant", don't you think. The word "consonant" does not mean limiting oneself to a literal interpretation of Genesis. Modern natural science was consonant with Christianity, for example, for three hundred years or so, until the closed system of naturalistic philosophy became the dominant presupposition.

Second, the definitive work on ID is a compilation of essays called Uncommon Dissent, written by a spectrum of scientists and philosophers from Christian to atheist. No one in the group, as I recall, made reference to biblical creationism.

[cornelis]

Good lord, I forgot science. Scientists will be quite adept at determining what is and is not science and we can hope they are equally astute to recognize that the critters don't do it.

[shuckmaster]

Can you reinstate SeaLion who was banned for no logical reason?

[balrog666]

We're not going to ban Mamzelle so please drop it.

Is that a "Get out of jail free" card?

[AndrewC]

[Dimensio]

Do you have a reply to offer that isn't a non-sequitur?

[Dimensio]

There are a few differences that suggest mankind is distinct from Nature. Some will point to language, others will point out to politics, history and religion.

All of these differences aren't inherently physiological, though. As such, evolution can say nothing of them.