Posted on 12/07/2005 4:23:48 PM PST by Senator Bedfellow
Embattled religious studies professor Paul Mirecki has stepped down as chairman of the University of Kansas’ Department of Religious Studies.
Mirecki remains a tenured professor at the department. No successor has been named.
In a written statement, Barbara Romzek, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, said she accepted Mirecki’s resignation today.
“Professor Mirecki said he thought it appropriate to step down and did so on the recommendation of his colleagues in the department and I have accepted his resignation,” Romzek said. “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.”
Mirecki came under fire after e-mails were uncovered in which he mocked aspects of Christianity. He initially attracted attention when he announced he would teach a class this spring about intelligent design and creationism. That sparked immediate criticism from conservatives who supported the Kansas Board of Education’s recent move to insert criticism of evolution into state science standards.
Mirecki’s critics then discovered e-mails from a listserv operated by the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics in which Mirecki mocked various aspects of Catholicism and fundamentalist Christianity.
Last week, KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said he found the e-mails “repugnant and vile.” Mirecki apologized for the e-mails and the course was withdrawn.
On Monday, Mirecki told Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies he was attacked by two men early Monday morning. Mirecki told police the two men were closely following his vehicle south of Lawrence, and when he got out to confront them, the two men beat him with a metal object. Mirecki was treated and released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Mirecki told friends and reporters his attackers made reference to the recent controversy.
Mirecki has taught at KU for 15 years. He has a doctorate in theology from Harvard University and specializes in ancient Mediterranean cultures, religions and languages.
South of 1300N on either 1400E or 1500E
is the location of the 'attack' on the police report.
There's a lot of irony there. But it is hard to believe one needs head clearing early in the morning. Most people are refreshed by sleep.
You noticed that too, eh? ;^)
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