It's time to get eXpelled.
Today is the opening day of a movie that has gotten more criticism and praise by people who have never seen it than any movie in history. Have you stopped to wonder why that is? Why have you, even, had an inclination toward condoning or condemning the movie before you've even seen it?
I was first directed toward the website last year and at first was a little turned off by the facetious nature of the website. I personally don't like it when people make fun of Darwinism (evolution) and, even more so, Darwinists (evolutionists). I don't see the conduct as winning any friends or arguments.
But, after seeing who was behind the movie (Ben Stein), and knowing his own blend of comedy and intellectualism, I tried to get past that and discover what the movie is really trying to say. According to the website and those who have seen sneak previews of the film, the movie does a powerful job of exposing a deliberate effort to suppress intellectual freedom in academia by refusing to publish papers/ documentaries that point to an Intelligent Designer as a casual agent, to denying tenure to professors who hold to such perspectives, to outright firing scientists who express serious concerns about the veracity of Darwinism (macro-evolution exclusively, the molecules to man scenario).
I myself, while taking geology at ISU, took heat for believing in Creation. While serving as the geology club president, I had our Veishea display represent the various views of origins. In the biblical view, I included scientific support for the Genesis model. As soon as the grad students and professors saw it, I was criticized for creating it and told to remove the display. My scientific evidence was not questioned, just the context and conclusion I reached via them.
For those not in the sciences or for those who have accepted Darwinism (neo or otherwise), you may find this notion of suppression of thought to be exaggerated or outright fallacious. But for those science students or scientists who are drawing conclusions contrary to orthodox evolution, it's all too real.
I strongly encourage everyone to see Expelled- No Intelligence Allowed for themselves and judge it by the actual content of the movie. In case you haven't heard, Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez (ISU astronomy professor who was denied tenure for holding to Intelligent Design) is featured in the film and will be answering questions at the Varsity II theater in Ames after the 7:30pm showing today (Friday).
Comments
I'm excited!!!! :)
Posted by: sarah at April 18, 2008 01:45 PMI've been told that you can catch the movie at Varsity II on Tuesday for only $4. A good deal for a good movie.
Posted by: Tim at April 21, 2008 06:50 PMI'm guessing that the grad students/professors believed that you looked at the Bible before you looked at the evidence. However, I almost wonder if thats how they arrive at their conclusions... because science without at least some assumptions gets you nowhere.
Posted by: Steve O at April 22, 2008 09:21 PMSo what did you do when they told you to remove the creationist exhibit? You didn't take it down did you?
I saw the movie. It was very well done. I saw it on opening night in Pleasant Hill. The theater was packed. The crowd started clapping during the credits. There were several younger kids there. I doubt they got much out of it.
I see the register reviewer gave it one star. Predictable when they promote the deviant homosexual lifestyle so much. Same day they give some movie about rampant sexual promiscuity the highest rating.
I'm rambling, but I am interested in hearing how you handled that situation.
As I recall, I simply did nothing and they didn't press the issue any further. So the display did remain.
Most people avoid interpersonal conflict, so I just took advantage of that.
News:
Expelled is being sued by YOKO ONO – and she's demanding that it be booted from THEATERS NOW!
Despite harsh reviews from liberal critics, predictions of box office failure and ridiculous lawsuits, EXPELLED has become a FAN FAVORITE:
#5 in per screen box office ($3,000 per screen)
#9 overall, despite being on only half the screens of its competitors
EXPELLED may become one of the top 10 box-office performing documentaries of all time.