A Refreshing Experience... The Evolution Monolith Exposed!

Once in awhile, you just need an experience that really kicks you in the tail and motivates you to speak. That's the sort of experience I had seeing "Expelled" tonight. I have 5 words for you: YOU...HAVE...TO...SEE...THIS. I would recommend that anyone go see this, from the hardcore atheist to the evangelical Christian. 

I think anyone reading this knows where I stand... I'm an evangelical Christian. But my joy in seeing the movie "Expelled" goes way beyond my Christian values. Sure, that is an important part. But what I love about this movie is that it makes some incredibly smart people look incredibly foolish, and it allows them to hang themselves (metaphorically, of course) with their own intellect. 

Side note: Anyone who enjoys Lee Strobel's books will like this documentary. The books are presented in much the same fashion whereby one interview brings up one point, issue or question that leads directly into the next interview, where the question raised is settled but brings up another interesting point that leads to another interview. If you can't stand Lee Strobel, you may not be a big fan of "Expelled."

Perhaps the most revealing part of the movie is the part where Richard Dawkins, the anti-faith atheist-of-all-atheists, actually admits he believes it is possible we humans came into existence because our planet was "seeded" with the precursors to life by a super-evolved race from another planet essentially. Does anyone not see the situational irony in this?!?! I can't even begin to describe all of the hypothetical questions and concerns raised simply by listening to this guy speak. Where did this supposed super-race come from? Why is believing in a super-evolved race we've never physically discovered any less farfetched than believing that God is, essentially, the equivalent of the super-race? Doesn't the essential definition of a "super-evolved race" fit in quite well with what it commonly postulated as the definition of God? etc. etc. etc. The intellectual inconsistencies abound in Dawkins' thinking. And that is just the beginning in this movie.

The suppression of scientific opinions inconsistent with neo-Darwinism. The stumbling, bumbling speech of Darwinists (and the fanciful theories presented) when asked the tough questions. The admissions that we don't really know for sure where life came from, despite many claims by Darwinists to the contrary. The realizations of the very scary implications of Darwinian theory. The huge holes in the theory itself. The monolithic nature of scientific thought in modern times. All examined by this film.

I won't claim the movie is without error. I think there is some ambiguity in the way the film presents the link between Darwinism and Naziism. I think that could have been clarified a bit more, though if you watch closely you can probably pick out what was the intention of the filmmakers. There are also some dramatic parts of the movie that are a bit forced when the material and interviews are dramatic enough themselves. But, by and large, the movie is both entertaining and informative, which is the necessary set of preconditions to a good documentary. The film doesn't appear to be overly selective in its editing, as has often been the largest criticism of Michael Moore's films.

In my experience, what is presented as the major theme of the film, which is that the academic and scientific communities have unfairly and unapologetically suppressed reasonable dissent to Darwinism (and freedom of inquiry in the process), is pretty accurate. 

My primary experience with the cultural clash over evolution is the "Darwin vs. Design" conference held last April at SMU's campus in University Park, Texas. Just as in "Expelled," members of the scientific establishment at SMU has no interest in allowing Intelligent Design any sort of forum on a college campus. Beyond their opposition to ID itself, they objected even to the mere presentation of ID (Google the event for the full story). In their arrogance, these scientists ran roughshod over any semblance of open inquiry, instead arguing with virulent rhetoric that the presenters of ID were idiots - despite the presenters' notable academic credentials. 

As they say, never let the FACTS get in the way of a great story. And Darwinism is, in fact, a great story.