New Documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” with Ben Stein
2008 March 14
I just LOVE Ben Stein, ever since Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986, finishing my first MA as a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Communication at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA)! If you’ve not heard the buzz about this really thought provoking movie detailing the divide among darwinism and intelligent design or creationism, check out the trailer at http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playground.php
We’ve been discussing this movie a little bit on our forums, namely the scientific angle of it. I’m not quite sure I’m going to run out and go see it, however.
unfortunately I love this kind of material because it reinforces my high opinion of George Orwell and feeds my anti-fascist views! Politically Correct is the new “group-speak” among some who pride themselves in open mindedness. The scientific method should indeed be OPEN to inquirery, not closed to where the data leads or seek to explain that which is still imponderable.
Keith, it’s my conviction that both sides engage in Orwellian tactics, and that both sides love to play the victim. And we call it “culture wars.”
This films’ main thesis, that anyone in the science community who believes in God, or is a Darwin dissenter is being “expelled” is false at its core.
In a New York Times interview, Walter Ruloff (producer of Expelled) said that researchers, who had studied cellular mechanisms, made findings suggestive of an intelligent designer. “But they are afraid to report them”.
Mr. Ruloff also cited Dr. Francis S. Collins, a geneticist who directs the National Human Genome Research Institute and whose book, “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief”, explains how he came to embrace his Christian faith. Mr. Ruloff said that Dr. Collins separates his religious beliefs from his scientific work only because “he is toeing the party line”.
That’s “just ludicrous,” Dr. Collins said in a telephone interview. While many of his scientific colleagues are not religious and some are “a bit puzzled” by his faith, he said, “they are generally very respectful.” He said that if the problem Mr. Ruloff describes existed, he is certain he would know about it.
Similarly, Dr. Ken Miller is a professed Christian who wrote “Finding Darwin’s God” (which I suggest you read). Dr. Miller has not been “expelled” in any fashion for his belief in God.
The movie tries to make the case that “Big Science” is nothing but a huge atheist conspiracy out to silence believers, but only presents a very one-sided look at some of the Discovery Institute’s “martyrs”.
Carolyn Crocker “expelled”? – No.
Her annual teaching contract was not renewed. Was she “fired” for daring to bring God into research? – No. She was hired to teach Cell Biology, and she decided to ignore the schools’ curriculum and substitute her own curriculum.
Guillermo Gonzalez “expelled”? – No.
He was not granted tenure. The film doesn’t bring up the fact that in all his years at ISU he had only brought in only a miniscule amount of grant money. Nor does it bring up the fact that in all his years at ISU he failed to mentor a single student through to their PhD. Nor does it mention that in his career at ISU, his previous excellent record of publication had dropped precipitously.
Richard von Sternberg “expelled”? – No.
Sternberg continues to work for NIH in the same capacity. Of course the movie doesn’t bring up his underhanded tactics in getting Meyers work published.
This movie attempts to influence it’s viewers with dishonesty, half-truths, and by a completely one-sided presentation of the facts.
If a scientists’ research is not accepted by the scientific community, it isn’t because the scientist either believes or doesn’t believe in God or Darwin, it is usually because they are producing bad science. Like the idea of Intelligent Design.