Today the movie “Expelled” hits the theaters. If you are not familiar with it, it a documentary detailing how many professors have been expelled from the academy for believing in intelligent design.” The 100-minute documentary follows Ben Stein through various locations and interviews and makes the case for academic freedom especially as it relates to the consideration of an alternate view of origins.
During the film we hear the story of Dr. Richard Sternberg at the Smithsonian Institute who came under fire for publishing a refereed article supporting intelligent design in their journal. He meet Dr. Carolyn Crocker, a former biology professor at GeorgeMasonUniversity who was fired for believing in intelligent design. And we hear about Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, an astronomy professor at Iowa State University who was denied tenure because he co-authored The Privileged Planet that documents the fact that the universe is fine-tuned for life and scientific observation.
We also hear from fellows from the Discovery Institute such as Dr. Stephen Meyer, Dr. Jonathan Wells, and Dr. William Dembski. Ben Stein also talks to others scientists like mathematician David Berlinksi and nuclear physicist Gerald Schroeder, both who have become advocates of intelligent design.
Ben Stein also gives the Darwinists a chance to express their confidence in evolutionary theory and their distain for the arguments for intelligent design. We hear, for example, from Dr. William Provine, evolutionary biologist at Cornell University. Perhaps the most enlightening interview is with Dr. Richard Dawkins, atheist author of the book The God Delusion.
One of the controversial elements of the film is the connection it makes between Darwinism and the Holocaust. Ben Stein feels there is a clear connection between the idea of the survival of the fittest and Hitler’s scientific rationale for the extermination of the Jews.
Whatever you think of the film, I think it provides a helpful vehicle for talking about not only intelligent design, but introducing people to the Designer. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.
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Ben Stein has done an outstanding job of exposing the underlying truth of humanism. At the movie's end, he issued a challenge to viewers - do something about the censorship that is occurring in our academic institutions.
We need to speak out and stand for open debate in this "free" society. We don't have to be intimidated of these elitist Darwinianists - in the end, they've got nothing to stand on but shifting sand! Click here to reply to this post
Expelled – the Movie
Posted On: 04/18/08 08:38:46 PM
Age 71, TN
My wife and I went to see the movie today Friday the 18th and found it very informative. It was put together very well and Ben Stein had certainly done some fine research. Click here to reply to this post
Academic Freedom
Posted On: 04/18/08 08:01:14 PM
Age 73, AR
The movie is by no stretch of imagination about academic freedom. It is a desperate attempt to impose a universally discredited and totally unsupported idea into science curricula through misuse of the concept of academic freedom. Calling it a documentary is nothing short of dishonest; saying the universities and other entities falsely discharged or refused to advance employees who presented "intelligent design" as a valid idea is nothing short of bearing false witness against those employers. A movie enjoys the same freedom of speech as any other presentation, but advertisers and reviewers do not enjoy the same freedom to present it as something it is not, no matter how many dollars may be involved. Click here to reply to this post
Not so fast...
Posted On: 04/19/08 11:51:47 AM
Age 47, MO
Isn't it interesting that your advocacy is as close minded, intolerant, and controversial as what you think the movie portrays? Amazing hypocracy from an old man. You should be ashamed. John Click here to reply to this post
THE PRIVILEGED PLANET
Posted On: 04/18/08 01:28:56 PM
Age 64, OH
I would recommend the book you mentioned by Guillermo Gonzalez "The Privileged Planet" to anyone who would like to see the scientific evidence that the Holy Scriptures are true. It shows that life could not take place in a random chance universe but it took the fine tuning by God Almighty to create a universe where life could take place. It is also very good info to use to show non believers that the Bible is true. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Academic Freedom
Posted On: 04/19/08 10:12:25 AM
Age 56, OH
To Age 73, AR
Are you able to substantiate your claim that 'saying the universities and other entities falsely discharged or refused to advance employees who presented "intelligent design" as a valid idea is nothing short of bearing false witness against those employers'?
Have you evidence of falsification that came forth in this movie? My question is not a challenge; I'd truly be interested to know. Click here to reply to this post
Appreciation and comment
Posted On: 04/18/08 07:03:40 AM
Age 77, IN
An excellent summary. I am painfully aware of the story of Wm. Dembski having to endure the loss of his position at Baylor due to not being granted tenure due to his advocacy of ID.
Please know how much I appreciate your thoughts and commentary, but do submit your writings to someone for editing grammar. Sevral times that issue proved to be a distraction and one thing sure is that Satan will use all opportunities to detract from any effort to advocate for Christ and God as our Creator. Click here to reply to this post
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