Free Republic

“Moral retards.” That’s how a Brooklyn College sociologist described religious people a few years ago. And to some in New York City, that’s reason enough why Timothy Shortell should not be allowed to assume the post to which his colleagues just elected him: chairman of the sociology department. Editorials and articles this week in The New York Sun and The New York Daily News have blasted Shortell as intolerant, quoted religious students as saying that they were offended by his writings, and demanded that the college do something. Brooklyn responded quickly. Christoph Kimmich, the president, sent letters to the newspapers...

Professor Timothy Shortell describes himself and others who share his beliefs "Übermenschen," a reference to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's idea of the perfect person, or "superman." This nutty professor has called religious believers "moral retards" and compared religion to oppressive regimes.  "Christians claim that theirs is faith based on love, but they'll just as soon kill you," Shortell wrote in an online journal that is linked to his Web site. A firestorm erupted at Brooklyn College after the views of Timothy Shortell, who was elected to head the sociology department this month, were revealed in a Daily News story...