As the producers of Expelled we want to THANK YOU for the overwhelming positive reception audiences have given the film around the country.
The Producers, Uncategorized, the media Add commentsShare ThisAs the producers of Expelled we want to THANK YOU for the overwhelming positive reception audiences have given the film around the country. Anytime a film launches it is a daunting task and Expelled was no different but your support has propelled Expelled to the #12 documentary of all-time according to Box Office Mojo.
For a filmmaker one of the most satisfying benefits in producing a film is receiving audience feedback. One of our primary goals was to make a film that would raise the level of dialogue and discussion around this topic. And hearing your stories of the difference Expelled is making in your lives and the discussion it is encouraging nationwide it is a tremendous honor to have made this film.
A question we consistently receive after audiences have watched the film is, “what can I do?” A significant contribution you can make is to make your voice heard and one way you can do that is sign the Academic Freedom Petition www.academicfreedompetition.com In June, the state of Louisiana passed legislation protecting the free speech rights of teachers and students in the science classroom. This is hopefully one small step in many which will happen across the country in securing the necessary free speech for generations to come.
At the core of Expelled is the message of freedom, particularly the freedom of speech. Just following the opening of the film, it was hit with two lawsuits over the use of John Lennon’s song “Imagine”. We included ten words from the song, “nothing to kill or die for and no religion too” which we felt demonstrated how the views from the ivory towers connected to pop culture and were nothing new. We feel the criticism and use of the song are warranted and protected free speech under the fair use doctrine. Recently these suits brought by Yoko Ono and EMI/Capitol Records were dismissed which we see as a positive step not only for Expelled but all Americans free speech. Going through these legal issues have been difficult but we deeply appreciate all the encouragement we received from you.
If you have visited the site before you will notice it has been updated quite a bit. We encourage you to look around and discover some of the new elements including memorable clips from the film and new trailers.
Thank you again for all the continuing support you have given Expelled and keep the conversation going.
The Producers
October 17th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I wanted to really like this film, but it missed one of the most important things it needed: To explain WHY the things being kept out of classes (etc) ARE valid science.
I hope there will be an edition of the DVD that addresses this.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Congratulations guys. I saw the movie and it was quite well done. If nothing else it got people talking as should happen. As a scientist myself, it’s noce to remind people in the industry that they are not the “be-all” and “end-all” of things. Just because we believe something doesn’t make it so. Nice to see this movie do well and it’s about to make a killing at the box-office. Well done!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I haven’t saw the movie but the “super trailer” was phenamonal. As a Young Earth Creationist, this movie “questions” Darwinism. Did we really come from “a soup made from complex chemicals”? How could Darwinism explain the origin of life? I will buy it, watch it and pass it at my church.
God bless everyone!
October 21st, 2008 at 11:18 am
Vik… maybe you grabbed a few zzzzzzzz’s while in the theater. Between the countless explanations of the scientific research, theories, studies and findings, coinciding with the detailed cell animation and the explanation of the impossible mathematical equations necessary for life to exist without design direction, the answer to your question was “crystal” clear. There is more than enough evidence to support I.D. as a legitimate academic curriculum… if only critiques were truly more interested in learning truth rather than protecting a particular world view.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Cheers Guys, thought the film was awesome, only saw it due to the super trailer mentioned above.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
javascript:
Exactly when did science become purely negative? And when did graphic cartoons (in this case an overly simplistic cartoon at that) become evidence for anything beyond the cartoonist’s ability?
What is the theory of intelligent design, and what evidence is there for it? Specifically. Remember that putative evidence against a theory is not automatically evidence for another.
Show me a test where the prediction of one outcome indicates evolution and another outcome indicates ID and then we can discuss its legitimacy.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Paul:
“Just because we believe something doesn’t make it so. ”
That is quite true. That is why science is evidence based and goes well beyond simple ‘belief’. Science is set up so anyone who believes differently than I do can freely examine my methods, my data, my analysis and my conclusions and point out my errors. Any scientist that refutes my work will do so with evidence supportive of his own beliefs.
However, science has no obligation to accept hypotheses that present no evidence.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Awsome movie. Missed it in the theater, just picked it up on DVD loved it. Very thought prevoking. if there was no God why are they spending millions to find the Higgs-Bosom particle or as they call it the “God particle” whats wrong with them havent thet heard of unified field theory or as I call it “GOD”
October 21st, 2008 at 11:14 pm
The trailors are great! I’m looking forward to viewing the DVD. I’m hoping there will be another made addressing the global warming hoax. It’s a perfect plot where man thinks he can control the climate…
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Just wanted to let you know about a misleading blurb Redbox is using to “promote” Expelled
The Blurb reads as follows…
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Who better to interview fanatics than the hilariously deadpan Ben Stein? Here, the former host of “Win Ben Stein’s Money” (and, it should mentioned, trusted Nixon advisor) hosts a documentary in which he sets out to ask the hard questions about the Intelligent Design theory to its most fervent believers.
I wrote them about this and they claim they do not write the blurbs, but they are provided by the DVD manufacturers.
they then went on to twist my compliant and apologize for my not liking the movie. WRONG! I loved the movie!
just another example of how the MSM and Hollywood elites try to malign anyone who dares question the party line on Evolution!
Pastor Dave Mason
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Just watched “Expelled” and found it both informative and chilling. It is good to know that the real reason Creationism or Intelligent design is “outlawed” in schools is to drive God out.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
As a young neuroscientist I find people who are so disturbed that I beleive in God. They wont equate intelligence with God at all. Its very sad that we are so afraid to even entertain the idea.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
AMAZING!!!!!! Thank you so much for bringing an alternative prospective view on Scientific Data of the body and existence! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I find it completely unfathomable that people would choose to limit their minds and Truths of existence just for comforts sake. What ever happened to pushing our limits, even those that aren’t yet seen? We should continue to strive for more Truth based on facts rather than limiting our society. We once based a whole world view on a man who he himself could not come to a conclusion that fit his views. If we re not growing in all aspects of life, what are we doing?
“To suppose that the eye, with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree.” -Darwin 1872
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I just have to say that we rented Expelled and watched it twice in one night! You did an excellent job arguing for the right to explore both “theories” and I’m hopeful that this will be a catalyst to change things for the next generation. My husband has a master’s in Biology and during that time, taught in the Biology and Evolution Department in a state University. He thoroughly enjoyed your film. THANKS!
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Courtney, you are obligated to look up the rest of that quote.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
On another topic, I read a really nice quote from a scientist the other day. I can’t recall the name but it totally fits the idea of this particular film.
It goes:
The reasonable man adjusts his beliefs to fit with society. The unreasonable man persists that society change to fit with his beliefs. Therefore, society advances due to the unreasonable man.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Hello Ben, I loved this movie, though i have one suggestion for you on the subject of molecular biology. If you have never heard of this it is a very amazing cell.
research and find a picture of a laminin, i think it will blow your mind. - Doug
October 24th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I was amazed and inspired. This opened my eyes and I now have the knowledge and information to use against the Darwin crowd - 90% of the country.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
October 24th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Very thought provoking!
It seems to me that some aspects of Darwinism are not incompatible with intelligent design at all. Why is the science “establishment” unwilling to even countenance ID as a possible explanation for some aspects of the study of life and its origins? They strict Darwinists can’t answer the really big question — how did all this begin?
October 24th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Thank you so much for revealing the truth to so many. You have used your fame and fortune to ignite a sleeping bomb. In studying science, civilization, religions, and philosophy I have concluded that the ONLY answer is Intelligent Design. Only ignorant fools bent on proclaiming themselves the highest intelligence in the Universe are Darwinists.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
This documentary is an insult to the public’s intelligence. It starts by making a case about ID not being linked to religion and ends up with the holocaust. I guess it is just impossible to admit that there is no special divinity in our existence, that somehow we are not the chosen creatures of some super being. Lets face it people, in the scheme of nature, our lives are not more or less important than a parrot in the jungle or a bear in the forest.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Wonderful movie! I liked it just as much the second time around, but I’m also sad to see the edits that were made to the movie - most notably the absence of the clip from “Imagine” which Yoko sued over. I hope that someday a full, uncut version will be released as it made such a good point, and I could be wrong since I saw it in the theaters uncut so long ago, but I also thought there was more from certain interviews when I saw it in the theater.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Just watched this movie - excellent. This is a message we wouldn’t hear through the national media.
Darwin himself would be appalled by the current Evolutionist stances. a few of his own quotes:
“The human eye (with all of it complexity) could have formed by natural selection, but I freely confess absurd in the highest degree”
Near the end of his life said, “I was a young man with uniformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time and to my astonishment the ideas took on like wildfire. People made a religion out of them.”
October 25th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
After two years of work on my book, I discovered the premise behind Ben Stein’s documentary - One STARTS with a world view and then scientifically investigates how the world came to be what it is, e.g., either Darwinian evolution without God, or ID with and without evolution.
My research included sources from atheistic and non-atheistic science writers, theological writers, and Darwin himself in a modern republication of his 1859 book “Origin of Species”.
I found probabilities largely favor ID over Darwinism for the scientific explanations of the laws of physics and mathematics. So the vast mystery is about how and why the anti-ID community practices a Darwinian dogma that is so irrationally angry, hostile, and repressive toward even the idea filling in the holes on Darwinism.
Maybe Ben Stein been found it in the conflicting world views about “meaning”, “value” and “purpose” in existence and in life. Those who don’t want there to be any any such values want NOT to admit any scientific evidence that upsets their entrenched smug false superiority and freedom from reason.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
The movie and the DVD are great! I was particularly glad to see participation by Dr. Gerald Schroeder. His books are good companions to Dr. Brian Green’s books. Both write great science books.
I hope these start a sustainable movement.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ben, I watched the film and want to thank you for pointing out how scientists are losing the scientific freedom to question Darwinism and pursue other explanations.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
My husband and I just saw your film and I want to THANK YOU for exposing this loss of freedom of speech and freedoms in general!
I also agree with the point made by the film that if you follow evolutionary thinking to it’s natural conclusion, you will find that men like Hitler were absolutely convinced that they were benefiting society with their actions.
Well done!
October 26th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Mr. Stein, et al- excellent documentary! As a lax Catholic myself, I do not appreciate when the religious right superimposes God over logic. I also abhor when science elitists (including government) unilaterally depose God (or whomever you believe Him to be) because science has all the answers. I have been a lifelong curious person who has searched endlessly for answers and anytime someone implies that they have all the answers, I immediately know that the opposite is true. I appreciate your relentless quest for the truth.
October 27th, 2008 at 12:57 am
This film spoke to me on a profoundly personal level. It is completely consistent to my personal belief system and what I “know to be true.” To find this conflict with belief in a greater intelligence and science is absurd. I find intelligent design in the beginning of the big bang. I find ID in the collapse of the wave function. I find ID in a Bose-Einstein Condensate. I find ID at the Planck Scale. In fact I find the concept of the proclamation of the lack of ID to be bad science. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. To say,”a greater intelligence than ourselves does not exist”, is a grand idea that requires, at the very lease, a modicum fact to support it.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I just wanted to THANK YOU so much for making this movie. It was awesome!!! As a homeschooling mom, I can’t thank you enough for bringing out facts about what is happening in our schools and nation…which is one reason why we homeschool. We are losing our right to freedom slowly and if they can wipe out all “other” theories and explanations then a new world order of thinking will take over. This movie is great and I’ll tell everyone about it. Thanks again!
October 29th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
b_sharp… in answer to your questions: (Part 1 of 2)
Q:Exactly when did science become purely negative?
A: No one said science was “purely negative” but obstructing freedom of inquiry or to stand in the way of scientific advancements is. World views masquerading as science are in my “personal” opinion very negative actions but that’s just MY opinion.
Q: And when did graphic cartoons (in this case an overly simplistic cartoon at that) become evidence for anything beyond the cartoonist’s ability?
B: I think the cartoon you refer to in the movie was intended to explain in laymen’s terms the inner workings of the cell and is evidence of subject matter in which I.D. scientists, biologists, etc. draw their reference from, as opposed to the claim that I.D. is about religion or faith, which if that were true the cell animation would have been replaced with Bible scriptures.
Q: What is the theory of intelligent design?
A: As stated in the film… I have the CD so I can quote it directly: “Intelligent design is the study of patterns in nature that are best explained as a result of intelligence. It is a minimal Scientific commitment to the possibility of detecting intelligent causation.”
October 29th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
b_sharp… in answer to your questions: (Part 2 or 2)
Q: …what evidence is there for it?
A: It is speculated that there would have to have been about 250 proteins, each in perfect alignment, to provide minimal life function. If that’s true it would be inconceivable to believe life could have happened in some step by step way. There’s a 1 in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, etc… probability of that happening all on its own. The chances are virtually impossible.
Q: Show me a test where the prediction of one outcome indicates evolution and another outcome indicates ID and then we can discuss its legitimacy.
A: Last I checked Evolution was not a theory of how life began but rather starts after the origin of life and attempts to theorize how species evolved. It neither explains nor attempts to even question the origin of life its self. Intelligent Design on the other hand, is in fact focused on the origin of life more so than the evolution. It attempts to examine nature to determine what may or may not be possible explanations for the origin. So I don’t believe I nor anyone could answer that question as it was put.
The bottom line and purpose of a movie like this is not to answer the questions of the universe. It is to expose the fact that there are only two trains of thought or theories with regard to the origin of life. One is that life began purely by chance and without intelligent direction. The other is that life is the result of some kind of intelligent guidance or design. The rules of science are currently being applied to foreclose one of the only two possible answers to that incredibly important question. Quite simply… In my opinion, that’s just wrong and extremely “unintelligent” suppression.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Thanks, Ben.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
How would you like the meet the designer? I can show Him to you. Yes, I know how to show anyone the invisible God. And after I expain this, you will too. The ancient Hebrews were the first recorded, to have claimed that this God is their God. And have written here stories about Him.
God is Existence. You may choose to continue to think of existence as a something. But the fact is Existence is God. There is none else. And anything which is IN Existence is NOT God. Existence being God alone.
The Hebrew name of God is commonly translated “the LORD” but means “the self Existent One.” “Existence.”
November 1st, 2008 at 12:01 am
I thought the movie was fantastic. But I found the practical application section in the special features even more interesting. I feel that the movie should have touched on these topics more in order to give more separation to the idea that ID is Creationism. When these doctors are able to make new breakthroughs in medicine due to ID and its ideas what will the Darwinists have to say then?
It is preposterous that anyone can be fired from their job for simply asking a valid question. This idea has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with a “higher level of intelligence”. Since Darwinism and its proponents can not explain where life started, why should they be allowed to censor those who have an alternate theory?
November 1st, 2008 at 9:50 am
Funny, Paul says “just because you believe it doesn’t make it so”. I cannot think of a better description for religion.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
History is littered with ideas that faced enormous opposition from The Church and contemporaries. Tuzo Wilson, who proposed the idea of continental drift, and Galileo, who supported the Copernican stucture of our solar system are just a couple if instances that come to my mind. One of the great things about our world is that good ideas ultimately triumph over ignorance and self-interest, because of scientific investigation. If the concept dubbed “Intelligent Design” has any merit, it will, like the ideas of Wilson and Copernicus come to light through investigation - something that it is seriously lacking. Worse perhaps, because Intelligent Design is a philosophical concept, it may not be amenable to investigation and will remain on the fringes as a renegade theory. I agree with Mr. Stein that intellecutual freedom is imporant, but those with controversial ideas might look at history and expect the kind of opposition that they are seeing. It’s not right - but it is a fact. “Soldier on”, I say. I must also say, however, that this film, with it’s awkward and unconvincing “confrontation” with Richard Dawkins, and less that subtle references to The Holocaust does little to advance any merit to the idea of Intelligent Design. And Mr. Stein, unfortunately, you are not Michael Moore.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 am
I thank God that someone who had the means finally brought this into the public light. It’s been covered up and the scientific profession has proclaimed that Intelligent Design has been given its due, it time in the spotlight, the same consideration as Evolution, which is nothing but a blatant lie. Basically all that’s heard about Intelligent Design, AKA-Creationism, AKA- God, there is no evidence whatsoever to prove that it exists. There is indeed evidence and many of the answers Mr Stein(thank you Mr Ben Stein)received as far as I’m concerned explained nothing to support Evolution- yes, of course,organic live began on the backs of crystals, apparently no further explanation was needed according to the scientist Mr Stein was talking to. I am just saying Intelligent design should be acknowledged as a viable subject which deserves consideration as will as Evolution. SOMEONE WHO TALKS ABOUT THIS AS A VIABLE SUBJECT WHICH DESERVES IT TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS ALL OTHER SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS (I WILL NOT SAY HYPOTHESIS FOR I BELIEVE IT TO BE FACT) SHOULD NOT BE CRITICIZED, FIRED OR OSTRACIZED BY THEIR “COLLEGES AND PROFESSION”. I THOUGHT WE HAD FREE SPEECH, THE LAND OF THE FREE. THIS IS NOT THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED WHEN WATCHING MR STEIN’S DOCUMENTARY. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS DOCUMENTARY AND I AM TRULY SORRY THAT YOU WERE TREATED SO SHAMEFULLY WHERE WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXPRESS OUR IDEAS AND OPINIONS.
A very frustrated teacher in North Carolina.
Lisa Rash
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I really liked the movie!! Very informative.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The fact that nature and all of the universe is governed by extremely precise mathmatical laws, and formulas is more proof that God the creator exists. I takes absolutely incredible intelligence to know, and understand how all the mathmatical laws of the universe interact, and relate to with each other, to create a universe that works so mathmatical precise, and that is in resonance symphony, and has an intelligent of it’s own.
A fool would still say “There is no creator God.”
November 4th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I just now watched the DVD. Excellent. I highly recommend it, and I think everyone should watch it.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:13 am
The scientific method is based on defining a problem/question, conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing data and making at least some predictions based on the analysis of that data for further experimentation and subsequent hypothesis and possible theories. All of which are subject to scrutiny.
Where is any of this in Intelligent Design?
If ID wants to be accepted by Science it has provided nothing that can be accepted as Science other than faith in God. There is nothing wrong with believing in God. But a belief based on an individuals emotional, supernatural or spiritual feelings does not constitute science.
ID proponents and The Discover Institute have a political and religious agenda.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Very well made movie, currently the NCSE is on a full offensive at Expelled trying to protect a failing ideology from competition…This movie provides the fact that ID is not Religous Creationism…
November 7th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
One simple question: What are evolutionists afraid of?
November 8th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thanks to the Producers, Directors, Darwinists, Intelligent Design Proponents, and The Scientific Propaganda Machine.
And a Special Thanks to Mr. Ben Stein
Life is not an accident, or is it?
The argument of this production was not one sided,.. it is not propaganda for or against Creationists, Darwinists, Intelligent Design(ists) not sure how to label that. The argument is that there should clearly be freedom to argue the point!
Thank you Mr. Ben Stein for helping this argument find it’s way to the mainstream Media.
oh,.. and thanks for the unforgettable movie quote “Bueller,.. Bueller,…. Bueller,…..”
Opponents of Intelligent Design, and Proponents of Darwinism I pose this question — What is the harm in the freedom of ideas, or the freedom of the argument? Is Science the idea of questioning everything,.. or is it simply accepting the norm, accepting the accepted? The vast majority of all Scientists in history who made fantastic discoveries did so against the grain, outside the accepted.
Freedom to challenge the norm will set you free, forcing others to accept an ideal you believe is correct will never set you free.
November 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
The theory of evolution is based on a false interpretation of prehistoric ape-animal bones!
If you look in A.C.Emmerich’s books you’ll find out that they are hybrids before the Flooding of the earth!
November 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
wow. How is this for valid science. I know God. I’ve met him, spoken to him, heard from him, I’ve read about people who saw him in human form, I’ve seen evidence spiritually and physically. Try to ridicule him with your evolutionary theories on judgement day. You will not be laughing.
November 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Mr. Stein, this is awesome! And no matter what the earthly repercussions, you have done something amazingly eternal. Just think, for each thing the enemy takes away from you for thisw, you will be rewarded 7 times over by God, even if not in this lifetime, that is worth it! I have to laugh at evolution. Because I suppose that the single celled ameoba made the water and the trees and the dirt, and all necessary livable habitat also while it was busy growing legs.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Kudos to Ben Stein and everyone involved in making this documentary! Ben was probably aware that he would face some extremely vicious attacks and it took enormous courage to produce it.
Since science is by definition “knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding” and a scientist is considered a “scientific investigator,” I think of anyone who tries to suppress valid questions or dissenting discussion as–at best–a pseudo-scientist. It seems, that, whatever the issue, anyone who pokes their head out of the box erected by these pseudo-scientists will have it blown off. In the beginning these people wanted discussion about evolution because it was a theory they accepted as fact, but now that they’ve been successful on imposing it on science and education, they have no qualms about refusing further discussion.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
If you liked the movie and haven’t read this book already, try Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, Crossway 2004. It takes “Expelled” to the next step.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
A well made and presented documentary.
I find it interesting that so many people are willing to accept something just because a so called “expert” on the subject said it was so. As far as I can tell, the idea that all of this happened just by accident is far more absurd and difficult to swallow than the notion that at the very least there was some outside “intelligent” hand that got it all started.
If experimentation is required to make good science, then where is the proof that evolution is the way it all happened? I have not seen it? As far as I know, it is still referred to as the “theory” of evolution. It has yet to be proven as fact, yet the prevailing scientific approach is to accept it as fact, therefore it does not need to be proven.
I believe that anybody who has an argument to make in favor of either view should be able to do so without fear that he/she will loose their position. Since we are talking science here, until it is a clearly proven fact, the subject should be open for discussion. Even then there will still be people who will disregard any proof and believe what they want. That’s just the way it is.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
This is all part of the non-christian liberal agenda.The liberals will do everything they can to get God the Son out of the public eye.The liberals are running most of our schools.This is why I send my kids to a great Lutheran school.Liberals will say that the Christians are the ones that do the brainwashing.The Bible did worn us about the liberals.Read all about it.
November 13th, 2008 at 7:01 am
This was a movie I had to own! It was only sec..after I watched the movie that I ordered my own copy. My husband and I plan to use this video to teach our students. Thank you for an incredible lesson.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:41 am
# Jim Says:
One simple question: What are evolutionists afraid of?
Well Jim, “evolutionists” are afraid that the USA will continue to get dumber because people continue to buy stupid supernatural explanations for things instead of opting for logic and reason.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
First of all, the premise was not necessarily to trash Darwinism, but to ask why we can not discuss, research and investigate the possibility of intelligent design. Why are Darwinistic views the only ones allowed when Darwinism was born out of questioning conventional wisdom with “science backed by evidence.”
Secondly, science changes. As more studies are done, so do the results. History solidifies many historical events recorded in many different religions’ history. One may ask where the “scientific evidence” is for ID? They explained in this movie the mathematics and physics go beyond Darwinism and possibly into something that could possibly require some form of intelligent design. Remember, if a scientific theory stands long enough, it becomes “law” not “fact”. Laws change. Facts do not.
Thirdly, the movie pointed out we need to distinguish the difference between evolution and Darwin’s theory of evolution. Evolution means a gradual change in species over time; which few can argue against. The degree that Darwin proposes raises as many questions (many of them unanswered) as having some kind of faith; if not more. So for all of the people wanting to know where the evidence for ID is, watch the movie again. They give a few to show that it is worth at least discussing.
I think it was interesting Baylor University was involved in discrimination against ID since it is a Baptist University. I know I will actually watch the movie and probably do research of my own on the proposed thoughts of both sides.
I thought great movie. I think Ben probably interjected the Holocaust history because Darwinism was used to try and exterminate his people. Thank God Ben Stein is no Michael Moore.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I just purchased the DVD “Expelled” and I loved it.
I will have to watch it several times as there is so much information in it.
When Ben asked about the origin of the cell Dawkins came across like a kid who was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He bumbled and fumbled and looked rather foolish.
I think what really motivates some Darwinists is their unabashed hatred for even the concept of a Creator… certainly not an objective search for truth.
Thanks Ben, God bless you.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:47 am
They are afraid of God.Not everyone will go to Heaven.If I thought that I wasn’t going to Heaven I would be madd to.They get really made when you ? their beliefs.We Christians need to start getting madd and start protecting our faith and religion.If we don’t there will be fewer people going to heaven.Christian soldiers needed not to attack but to protect our interest.Ben the christian soldier.
November 15th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Thank you Ben Stein,and all others who were involved in the production of this movie. I wasn’t able to see it in the theater, so I rented it when Blockbuster finally released it. Excellent profound movie. I am a college educated man, who has had quite a bit of life experience in various parts of the world. I just don’t understand how our “Free” country can tolerate such a narrow minded point of view. Those who will not allow I.D. to be taught, spoken about, or further explored are simply fascists. Unfortunately, this is sign of what’s to come if we, the People don’t stand up for what is morally right. Our country has become a sickly bastion of political correctness. We are so worried about offending others that we stifle debate and our further understanding of life and truth. I am a Christian. But as Ben pointed out, the ID argument is way beyond religion. The Darwinists use religion as a smoke screen to stifle the truth. The problem with “man” is he continues to think that he can explain everything. Why is it so hard to accept that we will never understand everything on this earth! If we are as Darwin says, then what new species has evolved in the last 200 years? What NEW SPECIES are we currently evolving into right now? Sure, we may adapt over time. But I don’t think science has proven that one species evolved into a completely different species. Evolution is a THEORY,not a Scientific LAW. Hypocrites!
November 15th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Mr. J. Reid, it’s funny how you say, “unfortunately you aren’t Michael Moore.” That obviously shows your POLITICAL ideolgy behind your science. I’m glad Ben is not a Michael Moore. What did he evolve from? You also referred to Ben’s “unconvincing confrontation with Mr. Dawkins.” That is merely your opinion. I thought it was quite convincing. Dawkins talked in circles like some chapter out of “Catch 22.” He spoke how ID could have occurred here on earth. However, the intelligent designer would have HAD to have come from some Darwinian Evolutionary organism that evolved over time in some other universe. What a farce. That makes absolutely no sense. Perhaps universe A had a single celled organism that randomly came into being, and continued to randomly evolve into some intelligent being; so intelligent that it created Universe B and all living things on it. Or maybe, universe A, Universe B, Universe C, and universe D all began with some inorganic matter that somehow (scientists have failed to PROVE how)became organic matter, that evolved into various species, until it randomly evolved into intelligent beings. Then maybe the intelligent beings from Universes A,B,C, and D formed a committee and decided to form Universe E (earth) and fill it with the vast species that it now contains. I think this argument is about as strong as Dawkins’ argument.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:04 am
I just watched this movie on DVD, what a great documentary! Thanks you for challenging those in the scientific community who have adopted a chilling and godless attitude about the sanctity of life and mankind’s role and existence. This DVD scored a direct hit, thank you so much for producing this!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Bravo….Bravo…..Bravo!!! Well done Ben, and the producers. The fact is that some of Darwin’s theories just do not stand up to the the modern science of cell biology. He had no idea of the complexity of the mechanisms at work within a cell, and admitted himself that future discoveries could completely undermine his theories. The science of irreduceable complexity and probability analysis, among others, clearly make a strong case for investigation beyond the theories of a man relying on information available in the mid-19th century. I actually felt sorry for Dawkins in that the best he could come up with regarding the initial origin of life was “intelligent” aliens who, themselves, evolved based on Darwin’s theories. Great, so he effectively pushed the same arguement back to the development of some other cosmic species. Personally, having looked at the science behind both arguements, I find the leap of faith too great to believe that the sophistication in cell biology (and life) is a result of chance. Regardless of my conclusion, I hope your documentary ignites the scientific community to vigorously investigate the subject and encourages the media to report the process in a balanced manner.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
This movie was educated and addressed some serious issues that students are faced with. I am currently at the University of Nebraska and know of many teachers that teach evolution as if it were fact. Well its not fact. It’s a theory just like I.D. Great film Ben keep them coming.
oh and rsx to call a group of people stupid because they believe something you dont is a bit ignorant in and of itself. In fact if you are an evolutionist, you believe that a wolf crawled into the ocean and became a whale…mmmm sounds so educated to me. Might want to look into that a bit more.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Powerful—Going to buy one and show it to all my friends. We need to get this out. I am absolutely amazed at how those on the otherside of the wall are ranting and raving. They have finally been exposed.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for producing this movie. Our country is experiencing hidden oppression of speech, religion, parental rights like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Thank you for speaking up Ben. May God bless you & your family too.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I just finished watching the DVD, “Expelled” and I want to thank you for researching and producing this excellent documentary.
December 1st, 2008 at 9:13 am
Students of movie making (whatever their beliefs or anti-beliefs) should study this film. Lots of ideas, data, positions clarified pretty well in an interesting film.
The most potent image is of the Berlin Wall - being built - then “Checkpoint Charlie” making you present your ideas for ideological scrutiny - then the Wall getting torn down. (The only problem with that image is - how many students are even taught much about the Berlin Wall???)
Stein & Michael Moore both know - the film is the way to reach the folks with your message!
Imagine a Saturday Nite Live “Galileo” here…
December 7th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I found this movie to be very well done and in fact quite moving. Thanks Ben Stein! The fact is that modern science has no answer for the question of origins and no definitive or credible explanation for the breathtaking complexity of order found throughout the natural world. For these reasons alone, Intelligent Design should be taken seriously as a possibility, particularly when compared to the kinds of answers given by the atheistic scientific establishment on these questions. I found it extremely interesting that of the 2 prominent Darwinian scientists who addressed the question of origins in their interviews, one said life likely developed “on the backs of crystals” and the other speculated that perhaps a previously uncaused extemely advanced evolved civilization from another galaxy traveled to Earth on some sort of space ship and “seeded” life on our planet! Well, enough said. Us “stupid” people who want to “believe” in the possibility of ID are just too ignorant to understand these advanced scientific theories, I guess.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
So your premise is that to believe in intelligent design makes one dumb? Many of those who believe in ID are very highly educated and many are very competent scientists. I have and IQ in the 98th percentile, I hold an advanced degree, I am a tenured educator, and have worked with advanced weapons systems, RF technology, and dabble in Theoretical Physics as a hobby. I think that would qualify me as smart? I consider ID to have many valid points. Your specious argument seems to be that because I consider ID valid, that negates my erudition. Your rhetoric is abstruse and totally fallacious!
The fact is that everybody believes something and everyone has an agenda. The evolutionists and the ID proponents have a right to believe what they will; they do not have a right to tell others what is valid or what should be believed. The real questions that we should ask are: What is true? What makes the most sense? What fits the data?
By your definition, belief that there is an intelligent designer makes one dumb and… belief that alien’s (who also evolved) seeded the planet earth makes you smart! Ridiculous! How is believing in an intelligent designer any more a leap of faith than believing in aliens? Neither is empirically provable. I would argue that failure to look at all the possibilities is what makes a person dumb, not their worldview.
Finally, just because a person has a degree in a highly specialized discipline does not make them the arbiter or quintessential repository of knowledge. The facts must be pried out of the natural world through the open and free and unbridled use of the empirical method. The empirical method is not adverse to an intelligent modus operandi any more than it is to one based upon little green men. If one dismisses other possibilities out of hand, then they have a necessarily one-sided and skewed view of the facts. Than not only denotes a less than intelligent person but also an intellectual bigot!
“The bigotry of the nonbeliever is for me nearly as funny as the bigotry of the believer.”
— Albert Einstein
in Goldman, p. vii
December 20th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
What is there to teach about ID? What person/child/student with a brain can’t say to himself “…or some unknown power [God, whatever] did it.”
Can someone (seriously) post a reply with the name of a hypothetical pro-ID whitepaper or scientific journal article?
What would an “unbiased debate” sound like? “Our inability to generate a cohesive theory of evolution at this point, clearly means that someone else created us. // No it doesn’t // Yes it does. // No it doesn’t // Yes it does… etc”
What am I missing? WHAT IS BEING SUPRESSED?
I am not an atheist. I also do not belong to an established church. I have always been open minded to the fact that the scientific community has “their own little thing” going and doesn’t like outside evidence. But I just DON’T GET IT when it comes to the arguement for ID.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
My brother in Florida is sending me an ‘EXPELLED’ DVD and I cant wait to see it here in Papua New Guinea. I’ve been waiting for months, nearly a year. I supported Ben Stein’s cause even without seeing Expelled. For those who dislike ID and the movie, its only a movie, come on.
Well-placed comments by chknbone50 #68. Thank you Mr. Stein and team for a great service to mankind.
December 26th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Just watched the DVD. Thanx, Ben.
A mentor/teacher of mine once stated that “It’s impossible for something to create itself.” Fairly simple idea ~ absolute in its intent. One cannot throw a bunch of bricks into the air, and have them land in the shape of a wall. Nor could one throw all of the musical notes in existence at a piece of paper, and come up with a symphony. Take these examples to any thing, at any level. All require a creator/designer. Nothing sinister about that!
December 29th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Thank you for an interesting film! I found it thought provoking. In my humble opinion, many of the cut aways and music that enhanced the mood of the current point had something of a Michael Moore-ish affect. I’m not sure insinuating that Darwinists are nazi’s will further unbiased discussion. Also, the message of the movie seemed somewhat blurred at the end when Ben mixed the lines of religion, ID, and Darwinist theory, if I get the message right. Nonetheless, its better to light one candle than to stand in the dark… thanks again, it was time well spent.