University of Kansas Delays Creationism Course, Professor�s Comments Spark Ire

December 1, 2005

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/180/story_18007_1.html

On December 1, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A University of Kansas class covering creationism and intelligent design that had been scheduled for the spring has been canceled and a professor who sent e-mails deriding Christianity and religious conservatives won't teach it if it's offered again, the university said Thursday.

Provost David Shulenburger granted professor Paul Mirecki's request to withdraw the class, originally called 'Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other Religious Mythologies.' One recent e-mail from Mirecki that was posted to a student organization forum 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 has apologized for those comments.

Mirecki made the request to cancel his class late Wednesday after talking with faculty and university administrators, the university said... The class was added to the spring schedule after the Kansas State Board of Education voted last month to include more criticism of evolution in science standards for elementary and secondary pupils."