Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

So, I figured it was about time that someone besides Karen posted something on the family blog. Gosh, if she would just quit hogging the whole thing...

Anyway, while I was down in Utah this past week for Women's Conference at BYU, Anna and I decided to go out to a movie. We saw Ben Stein's new documentary titled "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" about the current controversy in the scientific community over the theory of Intelligent Design.

In the film, well-known comedian Ben Stein addresses the debate (or lack thereof) in academia between Darwinism and Intelligent Design, especially as it relates to evolutionary biology, but also other fields of science. He investigates the professional repercussions for scientists of admitting to the use of the theory of Intelligent Design in the research, or for some, even the mention of it in a classroom setting. He also explores the links between Darwinism and atheism and Intelligent Design and belief in God.

At the beginning of the film, I felt that the use of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of the sanctions placed on scientists who believe in Intelligent Design was a little heavy-handed, but as the movie progressed, it seemed more and more appropriate. What I found especially interesting were the attitudes of scientists outside the US on the subject--they seemed much more inclined to endorse the idea of promoting an actual scientific debate on the subject, not a disenfranchisement of those not toeing the "party line". Stein's visits to Hadamar and Dachau, along with his investigations of Hitler's practices regarding the mentally ill and other genetically "undesireable" people, along with American Eugenics in the early 20th century and their links to Darwinism were especially chilling.

Perhaps I was a little sheltered from the force of this debate by attending a religious university, but I believe it was mostly my upbringing by intelligent, well-educated parents (one of whom is a very accomplished scientist) that showed me in a very clear way that a belief in God and the ability to be a good scientist are not mutually exclusive. As disturbing as some of the situations presented in the film were, I really enjoyed watching it and discussing it afterwards with Anna. Sometimes it feels nice to use those brains cells that don't get exercised very often when the majority if your day is spent with the under 10 crowd. It made me appreciate my testimony of the restored gospel and the concept of all truth being linked together. While it is not very action-packed, it will definitely give you plenty to think about.