Dr Paul Mirecki, a Religious Studies professor at the University of Kansas announced that he planned to teach a course on creationism and Intelligent Design (ID) for this upcoming semester. There were several students that signed up for this class; possibly because of the “press” ID has received lately. This course was terminated after several intolerant emails written by Dr Mirecki were reported in the Kansas City Star.
The reason for bringing up this issue is not ID or whether or not it should be taught. Nor is it an issue that Dr Mirecki holds a view contrary to ID or creation. The issue is that he has admitted that the purpose of the class was to promote his own personal views, as evidenced by the following excerpt from one of his emails:
“The fundies (meaning 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". I expect it will draw much media attention. The university public relations office will have a press release on it in a few weeks, I also have contacts at several regional newspapers.”
In other emails Mirecki ridiculed Christians, Jews, Catholics, and Pope John Paul II.
Professor Mirecki lacks respect and is intolerant toward those who don’t share his views. As any university, KU should be a place where students can learn in a scholarly environment. Where information can be provided and students allowed to make up their own minds in the Academy. Professors have a position of power over their students and they therefore have a means to bully students. If this past week’s events are indicative of Dr. Mirecki teaching style, it proves that he is not an educator, he is an indoctrinator.
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