Monday, November 10, 2008

Speaking of Thinking

On Saturday, The Knight and I watched the DVD "Expelled." It was surprisingly interesting and even slightly humorous in places. Ben Stein is the "star" or narrator of this movie. You may remember him as the really boring teacher in "Ferris Beuller's Day Off": ". . . anyone? . . . anyone?"

The following is the super trailer for "Expelled." [You might want to pause the music box at the bottom of the page before you start.]





I was particularly interested to see that I was already familiar with one of the featured Darwinists, having read a 16-page critique of his latest book. I am now looking forward to reading another book mentioned in the film: written by a brilliant philosopher with whom I was previously unfamiliar.

13 comments:

Rebecca's Oasis said...

i will have to watch this movie. It sounds very interesting.

It made me feel a little like i did the other night when Victor and I were discussing prop 8 with his mother and sister.

I have decided that they are both wicked liberalists or just plain ignorant - they both tried to tell me and victor that the church is a bunch of hypocrits and I had asked them if they believed in their own religion and their teachings regarding marriage and family. I was told at the very basic level that the bible is incorrect and that god made some people straight and others gay and that we are wrong for telling the gay people they are wrong. I think the point got lost in the conversation and I felt defeated.

Later Victor lamented over is sister and mother's liberalist point of view and was disappointed that what faith they had before has diminished to nothing more than a speck.

DebbieLou said...

Sounds like something I need to watch with Dave.

How come I never heard of this movie before? How come it wasn't advertised in any format that I have come across? Perhaps his statement about the media has something to do with it.

Where would I get my hands on this movie?

Trillium said...

Debbie--I think we got it at WalMart. The complete title is "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." You might also be interested in the 16-page review of Richard Dawkins' book, "The God Delusion."

Rebecca--Vic's mother and sister are probably frightened of being labeled "bigots" and "haters." The gay side of the issue has and continues to paint it that way. Jerry Brown (who is also gay) worded the ballot that way on purpose. The actual wording of the amendment only states that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman. Under this amendment, Gays will continue to have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. Only the word marriage is what they can't have. The reason the Church urged members to support the amendment is because of the precedents set in other states with gay marriage: (1) loss of religious freedom, (2) children in public schools being indoctrinated with homosexual views, and (3)the overwhelming evidence from social science researchers that children need both a mother and a father for their best well-being.

Trillium said...

An additional issue had to do with gays adopting children. The Catholic Church adoption agency in Massachusetts (I think) had to close the agency because of their stance on not letting gay couples adopt children. The gays sued and won.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I will definately have to see that movie. I only heard an advertisement for "Expelled" once, I think. I am sure the media is wanting to shut up anything that doesn't lift up their own views and positions.

Trillium said...

Dara-- The Orem Public Library has a copy of the DVD.

Katscratchme said...

Mom - Ben and I would like to see that movie when we come up. Did you guys buy it or rent it?

leafhopper said...

I'll have to see if our library has it. I'd be interested just because I have a degree in Biology and have taken on my own personal views of all this.

DebbieLou said...

This turning the real issues of gay rights into a hate thing really irritates me. We just had some local church get into the news because they advertised a sermon labeled "Why being gay is not okay". Protesters outside the church displayed signs that said things like "God loves gays too" and "Christ taught love not hate" etc..., as if the sermon taught the opposite.

Even my own brother, who was my best friend growing up, broke all ties with me because he doesn't feel that I can still love him while believing homosexual behavior to be a sin. To gays and lesbians; acceptance of them is acceptance of their lifestyle. I told him that if he really loved me, then he would agree to disagree and stop trying to manipulate me into adopting his own agenda. Their definition of "love" has become very tainted.

They often revert to name calling too, trying to intimidate those that disagree with them by using socially charged words, such as "bigot" and "ignorant" (and worse).
They do these things until they can get you backed up in a corner, hoping that you'll cave when given an all or nothing ultimatum. It's sad.

I now see all too clear how it works. Satan has decieved these people into adopting a form of his plan (no free agency)in exchange for what they wrongfully believe will free them of their feelings of guilt. By making everything "right" that was wrong, mankind would no longer be able to choose.

They become like those spoken of in the scriptures, neither blind nor deaf, though unable to see and hear. There is no talking sense into them. I know. I've tried.

Trillium said...

Deb-- Robert D. Hales' conference address in October was terrific, talking about how to respond in a Christlike way to those who attack us. I've decided that I need to heed his counsel, and become more Christlike. I know with lots of prayer and humility and repentance, I can get there.

DebbieLou said...

I remembered that talk. It was a good one, so I watched it again. I'm suprised at how much I had forgotton! Thanks for reminding me of it. It gave me the needed hope that I lack from time to time.

Trillium said...

Reviews of this flick? And Stein's reaction to the reviews? copy and paste the following link:

http://intelligentdesign.podOmatic.com/entry/2008-10-17T16_30_23-07_00

If Roger Moore hated it, that is endorsement enough . . . . LOL

Trillium said...

WWW.MEDVEDMOVIEMINUTE.COM
MICHAEL MEDVED’S MOVIE MINUTE
EXPELLED: NO INTELLIGENCE ALLOWED
Actor, author, and comedian Ben Stein takes on one of the most serious issues in the world in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
CLIP: “There are people out there who want to keep science in a little box where it can’t possibly touch God. Scientists are not even allowed to think thoughts that involve an intelligent creator.”
This movie offers a riveting expose of the ruthless campaign in academia and the media to stifle any discussion of intelligent design or other challenges to Darwinism.
CLIP: “If you have questioned Darwinism – that’s it: your career is over.”
“I was viewed as an intellectual terrorist.”
“Stand up and question Darwinism – you’ll find out how risky that is.”
There are sequences in Expelled that are deeply chilling and other moments that are laugh-out-loud funny in an epic journey that travels the world to confront all sides of the “origins of life” debate. For such a personal project, I wish we learned more about Ben Stein’s personal outlook and involvement. There’s a PG rating for disturbing references to the holocaust…
THREE STARS for Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed - that’s simultaneously entertaining and important.