University cancels creationism class

[donco6]

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- A University of Kansas course devoted to debunking creationism and intelligent design has been canceled after the professor who planned to teach it caused a furor by sending an e-mail mocking Christian fundamentalists.

Mirecki recently sent an e-mail to members of a student organization in which he referred to religious conservatives as "fundies" and said a course depicting intelligent design as mythology would be a "nice slap in their big fat face."

He later apologized, and did so again Thursday in a statement issued by the university. "I'm glad they decided to listen to the public <re: canceling the class>. The public response was so negative because of what seemed to be so hateful coming from the KU professor," said O'Connor, a Republican. "I am critical of his hatefulness toward Christians."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/12/02/creationism.class.cancel.ap/index.html

I don't think he's being hateful to Christians at all. I don't consider fundamentalists to BE Christians. The Book of James says you'll know who Christ's followers are by their fruit. What fruit do fundamentalists bear? Love? Peace? Joy? No. Everywhere they are they sow fear, hate, prejudice, violence - none of the things the Bible identifies as characteristic of Christians. "Hatefulness toward Christians" indeed. I'd give him a medal for speaking the truth.

[Mr_Spock]

1. Fundies are jack-asses

But he should have resisted poking them with a stick.

[sakabatou]

2. Hear hear!

[WindRavenX]

3. good for that professor

In my evolution class, he said he'd automatically flunk anyone who tried to pass off creationsim/ID for science

[FreedomAngel82]

15. Good

ID/Creationsim isn't science. Even I as a Christian know that since I have a free and independent thinking brain. It's the belief of a creator hence belief. Science is about looking at what you know and how something happened. I wish these fundies would leave our schools alone!!

[liam_laddie]

4. very well stated!

donco6 - I think your points should be spread far and wide,
especially in freeperland...see how or if they respond.
Bastards...they're useless humans.

[donco6]

5. Fruits of the Spirit are . . .

Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Meekness, Temperance, Faith - against such there is no law.

I just don't see any of these characterizing fundamentalist Christianity. And I used to be one.

[FreedomAngel82]

16. Nope!

And Jesus warned about false prophets and he said you'd recognize them by the fruits of their labors. These fundies are nothing more than selfish. My church goes out and does mission trips of all sorts but we don't ever actively try to get schools to teach Creationsim etc. thank God! Of course as individual people I don't know that of course but as a church we don't stand on any issues since we are at church for fellowship and praising/worshipping God and to reenergize your soul spiritually.

[Erika]

6. What is it with Kansas?

They don't deal with reality?

[donco6]

7. I think that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" thing has . . .

just gone to their heads.

[kansasblue]

8. The professor had lost his objectivity. The course was a...

great idea.

His prejudiced emaild ruined a good course.

[LiberalPersona]

9. He shouldn't have cancelled the class

If I were one of the students that enrolled in the class I would have told the professor of my disappointment in his giving in.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I don't think it was him who canceled the class

The news here said it was a university decision.

[DanCa]

11. Do you have the link to the curriculum? Or syllabus?

I am interested. I think the anger story is just a smoke screen as to why the class was cancelled..

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. I don't think they had gotten as far as writing a syllabus and

curriculum yet.

And I do think the backlash over the email is definitely what caused the course to be canceled. KU is a very liberal university in the most liberal city in the midwest. I don't believe there was any kind of hidden agenda at play here. The university just had to respond; the fundies went nuts over the professor's email. Dumb move on his part.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. That O'Connor who is quoted in your link

is Kay O'Connor, a state senator. She is the idiot who said a couple years ago that women should never have been given the right to vote.

We are not at all short of dumbshit politicians here in the land of ahs.

[Swamp Rat]

13. So much for "faith."

Fundies are so unsure of their own faith and religion that they must stifle any dissenting opinion. :eyes:

[FreedomAngel82]

17. That's how I see it too

As a Christian and a believer since I believe in God I believe when I'm studying anything to do with science whether evolution or astronomy (stars and everything with space) that I am studying God. I don't get why so many of these fundies are so objectionable and afraid of evolution. If you believe God created the earth it would include evolution. Evolution is the HOW something happened.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. Exactly!

And don't forget the first amendment. I get so tired of this nonsense that they're being "persecuted" because they aren't getting their way. Good grief!

[DanCa]

18. I would just love to see a course curriculum on this.

I bet it is gearred into brain wash people into becoming pro lifers. Honestly I bet thats the intent.

[twenty4blackbirds]

20. help! help! I'm being oppressed!

-- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)

[wtmusic]

21. That's what nastiness gets you

The professor is a fool. He had a wonderful opportunity and squandered it. :eyes: