You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April, 2008.
This past Saturday I went with some friends to see Ben Stein’s new movie: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. I was somewhat excited about this movie because I respect Ben Stein as a political activist/commentator, and generally find myself in agreement with him. I was also intrigued by the premise of the movie; namely, that Neo-Darwinism is the accepted belief of “the Academy” today, and those who make up “the Academy” are systematically suppressing Intelligent Design.
The movie runs just over an hour and a half – it’s a documentary – don’t go expecting something else (as one member of our group did). The movie makes use of several (mostly black-and-white) old movie clips to break up the interviews, or illustrate a point. This is an inventive approach and does help the movie to move along a little better, as does the music that comprises the soundtrack. The movie shows clips from interviews (conducted by Stein and others) of a number of scientists who are being persecuted for their espousal of Intelligent Design – the idea that life on earth (and the universe in general) were designed by an intelligence as opposed to evolving by random chance. There are also a number of prominent Darwinists interviewed for the movie (including well-known Atheist Richard Dawkins).
The film’s stated intent is to start discussion on the issue. Stein asserts that the scientific Academy has erected a wall which divides what can and cannot be discussed. With respect to the origins of life (i.e., how did life begin?) the Academy vehemently rejects and refuses to consider any suggestion that involves an intelligence in the process (i.e., God, or something else). The film states that those who reject the dogma of Darwinism, or the idea that life originated by random chance, are persecuted and discredited. Stein explains that the Academy is assisted by the Media in their attempts to promote the Darwinian Agenda, excluding other possibilities. Further, he cites the involvement of the Court System in America as being used to further this agenda.
In a very strong move, Stein traces the outworkings of the Darwinian worldview to the devaluation of Human Life. He discusses the direct relationship between Darwinism and Eugenics. From here, Stein makes the connection from Eugenics to Hitler’s Final Solution. Stein, a Jew, travels to Germany and tours a Nazi facility where those deemed unfit for society were systematically murdered.
This move seems a bit strong, but is followed by a clear (if implied) comparison to this metaphorical wall that the Darwinists have erected to the Iron Curtain. Stein’s stated objective for his movie is to make hole in this metaphorical wall in order to allow the position of Intelligent Design to be discussed, debated, and taught as science.
On the whole, the movie was an enjoyable film. Because I myself hold to a form of Intelligent Design, I find myself largely in agreement with the movie. The movie clearly has an agenda and seeks to further the agenda of the Intelligent Design movement. The evidence and interviews are directed and edited in the pursuit of that end. This film is not a straight up debate between Darwinism and Intelligent Design, if you’re looking for that check out some other sources.
Overall, I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars. I would buy it on DVD.
For more info, try checking out The Uncommon Descent Blog. One of the contributors, and a professor of mine, Bill Dembski was interviewed in the movie.
I’ve just seen the news article that reported the death of actor Charlton Heston at age 84. Heston is remembered for such roles as the title character in Ben-Hur (1959), Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), and many others. He was also known for his outspoken views on the Christian faith; and later as a spokesman for the National Rifle Association. Fans will recall his larger-than-life portrayals of timeless characters, his booming voice, and his faith. He was truly a Hollywood legend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Heston family. Surely they are thankful that he is at home in Heaven now. Heston was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2002. He was one of a kind, and he will be remembered.
I might also have called this post “never teach a lesson about faith.” See, the danger of teaching on faith is that you will encounter circumstances which will stretch you and require you to have (more) faith. So maybe I had better start at the beginning.
I’m teaching a new series in my Gen XM (young singles) class at NRHBC entitled “Essentials.” It’s a series about some things that are essential to living the Christian life. The first of these essentials is (you guessed it) faith.
My car is not old. I’ve had it for going on seven years now. It’s got some minor issues, and from time to time I’ve wished for an opportunity to get those things fixed (little dings, scratches, etc.). Last week, following a minor fender bender, I noticed some issues with my car. I took it in to have something simple (I thought) fixed. Turns out, it wasn’t so simple, or cheap. So now I’ll be getting in touch with my insurance company and it looks like I may actually be getting my wish — this thing is going to need some serious repairs. So, be careful what you wish for…you just might get it. Even more importantly, if you ignore my advice and go teaching about faith, you’d better get ready.
I’m mostly over the stress right now, but I’m certainly getting ready to talk about faith.
Well it seems that reports of former soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev being a Christian were presumptive and based on assumptions by the reporters who covered his visit to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. A Christian Post article out recently quotes Gorbachev as reaffirming his atheism, and denying that he is or has been a closet Christian. See the Article here.
Thanks to Kevin Bussey for the head’s up. You can see Kevin’s post on this here.
For me this is a bit disappointing. It seemed big news that this former soviet leader had come to Christ, and he may yet, but it has not happened up to this point.
Were these reports an example of shoddy journalism? Was this an honest mistake?
