Former Catholic Paul Mirecki Update.

This is a crying shame. Professor Paul is a shining example of left-fascist enlightenment and tolerance. He should be given his own prime time tv show and a three book deal with Random House so he can really be heard.

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.”

Hmm...Distractions, eh? She means the bad publicity might distract parents from sending their little ones to KU.

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. (Thanks to The Kansas City Star and WND for the heads up.)