Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is a documentary film charging Darwinists with suppressing and persecuting scholars who disagree with them in order to avoid discussing the scientific challenges which intelligent design presents to the Origins of Species aspects of the theory of evolution.[1] . The film's premise, which it goes on to prove with unassailable logic, is that scientists have been met with harsh opposition and/or received punishments from schools, universities and the scientific community merely for daring to ask inconvenient questions.[2] The documentary is co-written and hosted by Ben Stein and was released in America on Friday, April 18, 2008.
- This movie follows Ben Stein as he seeks to prove that far from being a pseudo-science trying to undermine evolutionary biology, Intelligent Design is in fact a legitimate science being suppressed by a scientific establishment that is hostile to any deviation from the status quo. [3]
In the film's trailer, Stein states that there are "people out there who want to keep science in a little box where it can’t possibly touch God" and that "freedom of thought and freedom of inquiry have been expelled from publicly-funded high schools, universities and research institutions."[4] This also refers to privately funded science institutions as well.
Perhaps most infuriatingly true and telling for design opponents is the way the film links Darwin's ideas to Social Darwinism and destructive, immoral, atheistic ideologies such as Hitler's National Socialism and Marxist socialism.[5]
The film clearly shows that scientists and educators who promote intelligent design are persecuted by the scientific establishment.[6] Examples given by the film include Richard Sternberg, a biologist, journal editor, and research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, and Guillermo Gonzalez, a pro-intelligent design astrophysicist denied tenure at Iowa State University in 2007.[4] Meet some of the scientists featured in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
- Guillermo Gonzalez
- Richard Sternberg
- Douglas Axe
- Caroline Crocker
- Jonathan Wells
- Stephen Meyer
- Robert Marks
- Paul Nelson
- Richard Weikart One of the most controversial points made in the movie is that Hitler was influenced by Darwinism. It is at this point that Ben Stein interviews noted historian Richard Weikart.
Reviews of Expelled
Stein Turns the Tables on Darwinists, Chris Weinkopf, Los Angeles Daily News, April 19, 2008.
Why the Darwin-Hitler Link Is So Sensitive, Tom Gilson, ThinkingChristian.net, April 19, 2008.
Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists, Brent Bozell III, Townhall, April 18, 2008.
Review of "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed", Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net, April 18, 2008.
Intelligent Critique, Dave Berg, National Review Online, April 18, 2008.
Ben Stein Exposes Richard Dawkins, Dinesh D'Souza, AOL News Bloggers, April 18, 2008.
FIRST-PERSON: The difference 'Expelled' will make, William A. Dembski, Baptist Press, April 18, 2008.
An Intelligent Discussion about Life, Bruce Chapman, The Seattle Times, April 17, 2008.
'Expelled': Intelligent Design foes no match for Stein, Florida Baptist Witness, April 17, 2008.
Myths about 'Expelled', Chuck Colson, Breakpoint, April 11, 2008.
Stein Goes to Bat for Intelligent Design, Bruce Bennett, New York Sun, April 11, 2008.
Seriously Funny, Marvin Olasky, WORLD Magazine, April 5, 2008.
No Discussion Allowed, Brett McCracken, The Search, February 28, 2008.
No Intelligence Allowed!, Tom Bethell, The American Spectator, February 19, 2008
Resources
Learn More about Intelligent Design
The Theory of Intelligent Design: Briefing Packet for Educators
Official Website of Expelled
ID the Future Podcasts on "Expelled"
More on Darwin and Hitler
Go here for more on the connection between Darwin and Hitler
Blog Posts on "Expelled"
Blog Posts about Academic Freedom
Get Expelled on DVD!
