Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
A Review by XEKE.com

I made sure my $8.25 counted toward the opening weekend of "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." I think the last movie I saw in the theater was Pirates 3, and since then, I've been disinterested with most of the offerings, and downright disgusted with the remaining choices. Most of what Hollywood has produced lately has been worth neither my $7+ nor my time. Ben Stein's documentary is in a wholly different category.

"Expelled" is getting panned left and right in the mainstream press. This is no surprise. In fact, the movie predicts its own critical failures. However, the movie is a success from several standpoints.

• To begin with, Stein and his group got dozens of scientists from multiple disciplines on record.
• He clearly defined several important differences:
  • Micro-evolution vs. Macro-evolution: Micro-evolution describes the changes within a species over time. Adaptations fit within the realm of micro-evolution, and nobody (nobody) denies that micro-evolution occurs. Macro-evolution describes the process by which one species becomes another species over time. Darwin's theory of evolution, and those who subscribe to it, rely in macro-evolution to explain our existence. If there is a single common ancestor from which we all evolved, macro-evolution is necessary. While Richard Dawkins will claim that the evidence for this is overwhelming, his claims are patently false, and the macro-evolution theory is full of many, many holes.
  • Intelligent Design vs. Creation: Creationists subscribe to the Biblical account of our origin, and within this camp there is much variation from those who take the account extremely literally (Young Earth, creation occurring in 6 days/144 hours, etc.) and there are those who take the description loosely ("day" referring to a long period of time/millenia, species created and then left to adapt to changing conditions, etc.). It is important to distinguish between creation and Intelligent Design, and Stein's documentary did this well. In fact, many of the ID proponents that he included were not JudeoChristian believers. ID describes the scientists that observe nature, the universe and beyond and see order and complexity to the degree that suggests that random, undirected chance cannot adequately account for its existence.
• He demonstrated that ID proponents are not Bible-beating, religious zealots, but actually thinking, rational people.
• Those whom Stein interviewed illustrated that Dawinists do not explain their science prior to sharing their worldview, but rather reveal their worldview in the process of shoving their science down their students' (subjects') throats to the exclusion of honest, scientific discussion.
• The media's bias was revealed and explained. Pamela Winnick was featured, and though her book was not mentioned by title, I'll share it here as an excellent read: Jealous God: Sciences Crusade Against Religion.
• He pointed out the arrogance and the pride that exists on the Darwinist side, and their complete lack of interest in debate and intellectual honesty.
• Made very clear was the end result of taking Darwin's theories to their logical conclusion: Hitler's Nazism and Sanger's eugenics and Planned Parenthood.

I could go on, but this will suffice for a short review. I'll also mention that there was a great deal of humor in the documentary, which I was not expecting.

Those who have formed their opinion in the origin-of-life debate will not be swayed by this documentary. Nevertheless, it is an important work for those who have not had the benefit of a sufficient science education (most of America, sadly), and Ben Stein has done his part to at least get the ball of fair and honest discussion rolling in America.

It is worth your money and your time to support this work, and you will leave with a good understand of the climate of the scientific community that exists in our nation today.

rg

4/21/2008