Avis sur le produitExpelled: No Intelligence Allowed (DVD, 2008)

The Target is Everything in Satire

While critics of this film by Ben Stein have pushed hard to convince readers that Stein's objective is to uphold "creationism," or "intelligent design," they miss the most salient point of the work. The film is about censorship and the totalitarian mindset that's widespread in some areas of science, the press, and the university. For anyone who's questioned the party line at a university, the fate of people who even mention "intelligent design" should not be surprising. It's no different than it was for hundreds of meteorologists, including the Director of US meterological service, who, looking at the same evidence, came to the opposite conclusion about "global warming." By suggesting that climate change was political science, not scientific, they found fairly quickly that their grants dried up, their colleagues stopped talking to them, and not a few of them suffered threats to life and limb. The phrase "have you now or ever been..." comes to mind, familiar in political life, but astonishing in fields that depend upon skepticism for results.

Of course anyone who knows the history of science is aware that, while a source of great embarrassment, and little discussion, in the sciences, political persuasion, ego, blind ambition, and greed obtain as much in these exalted fields as they do, say, in political life itself. Few scientists care to discuss the number of serious researchers who advocated eugenics, and participated in the planning and execution of eugenics programs in the United States and the Holocaust in Germany. Stein and his large cohort of interviewees have not forgotten. When a cohort decides that there is only one way of thinking, it's not much of a stretch, and amply documented by a ghastly historical record, from self-righteous censorship to political murder.

However, this film might have made its points far more securely by aiming at the same political nightmare that occurs in climate change hysteria, the social sciences and the humanities. The shaming, silencing, and isolation inflicted on people who disagree with the party line would embarrass Cotton Mather. It would certainly please Lenin or Stalin, however.

Target is everything. And the problem with this film, of course, is that, as engaging as "intelligent design" is as a philosophy, its theses can't withstand any ordinary scientific test. That this might also be true of pure Darwinism is really off the mark. The real challenger in any incomplete science is the researcher who sets out to find out what really is scientific in its theses. There are a lot of people doing that in evolutionary science, which bears surprisingly little resemblance to Darwin's assumptions of a century and a half ago.

An area the film might have concentrated on, which it does touch on, is the relentless assault on religious faith. For those who haven't read about Bolshevism and Nazism, the assault on religious faith was general in both ideologies, as it is on the political left today. Bolsheviks closed, converted, or burned the churches and synagogues. Nazis slaughtered the largest non-Christian religious group in Europe. When Stein and the brilliant David Berlinsky work this territory, the film is very powerful. Such anticlericalists as Dennett and Dawkins would do well to study the link between their own philosophies and the worst political nightmares of the 20th century.

Still, as a serious but witty look at the totalitarian temptation, it's worth seeing.Lire l'avis complet...

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

The message here is vital. The movie is documentary with some quirky asides. I would see it again. There's a lot going on. Before I saw it, I was led to think it was a movie about proving the existence of God and an argument for allowing intelligent design to be taught in the schools. Not so. Actually, IT IS ABOUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM--something that concerns us all whether we're in or out of school. Our freedoms are costly. We should value them, whether we're "believers" of "atheists" or "agnostics," etc. Stein's approach is journalistic. The film got bad reviews and didn't stay long in theaters. I think some folks might have missed the point. Make your own decision.Lire l'avis complet...

Expelled: Great film exposing atheism at its roots

Expelled is a documentary hosted by actor Ben Stein. The documentary covers the topic of "Intelligent Design" - the theory that the final/ultimate answer could be a "founder or designer of the universe". Notice that this definition does NOT contain the word "creationism" or "creator" or "God". Many negative reviews for this movie are saying that it's about creationism - when in fact; it's not.

One point the movie tries to make is that if teaching or studying "Intelligent Design" is creationism or leads to creationism, then evolution certainly is atheism or leads to being atheist. They specifically ask top evolutionary biologists and each one of them say they are atheist and each one of them are strong against religion as a whole.

The premise the movie bases much of its debate on - evolution theory has a lot of holes in it. To explain the origins of life through evolution would be like winning the million dollar jackpot in the lottery every day for thousands of years!

It's easy to see why atheists and your typical "creationism sucks" crowd wants to give this movie a bad review - they don't want you to see it! The infamous Richard Dawkins (who caused a controversy at the premiere) is interviewed in the movie and makes a fool of himself. He's given quite a bit of screen time and a lot of chance to clarify and be satisfied with his position for his theory - yet he comes off looking like a complete idiot. If he would have been in a debate - he'd have easily lost even though it might seem he'd have won because of his incredible intelligence, vocabulary, and education.

One thing I was surprised that the movie didn't include was theory of Occam's Razor - that the simplest answer is usually the correct one. Many scientists often use this theory to help explain things.

The movie makes the point that Hitler used "evolution" (and specifically the studies of Charles Darwin) to justify the extermination of the Jews. It also illustrates how absurd some of the top evolutionary biologists are when explaining the beginnings of the universe and of life as we know it. One professor said that we evolved from a crystal that hit the earth a long time ago - because isn't it interesting how life mimics a crystal pattern. That still doesn't exclude an "Intelligent Design" and still doesn't explain what (or who) made that crystal. Richard Dawkins, towards the end makes an insane circular logic argument that aliens brought life to this planet - basically saying everything BUT saying "Intelligent Design".

If you have ever wanted a clear dialogue about atheism and its affects on society or wanted to see some solid information in support of "Intelligent Design" - this movie is a good, well thought out, and entertaining and compelling resource.

As with the Creation Museum in Kentucky ... I doubt I would have even heard of this movie without an atheist pointing out that it was a bad movie (or getting a laugh out of someone giving it a bad review).

"If you like to laugh at Creationists you're going to love this story."
~ John Gruber from Daring FireballLire l'avis complet...

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

Friends recommended we see this movie. I had never heard of it. We rented it last fall & thought it excellent. Then bought this as a gift. We highly recommend this thought provoking documentary that Ben Stein gently leads the viewers through.

This DVD is a brave and bold documentary on the basis of findings on the theory of intelligent design as well as the theory of evolution. It demonstrates the efforts of politics and the intellectual community to prohibit professors from raising the question and plausibility of of intelligent design at major universities. The movie is about censorship which our society says we reject, but sadly exists. It shows that there is not freedom of speech in this nation. Nor is freedom of academic thought and expression allowed. I highly recommend this movie and encourage all to see this as it is eye-opening and unsettling.

It is of great concern to critical thinking and exploration of all ideas to discover that freedom of thinking, expression, and academic rigor is restricted by gatekeepers of education, politics and the media. I'm very impressed that this movie was made to help us question freedoms in modern society.

Would be excellent to show at small groups and then discuss as well as for a quiet evening at home. It really makes you think about fear that represses scientific exploration and study.

If all areas can't be explored, we will never get the facts. I encourage you to watch this movie. Well done with Ben Stein who interviews both proponents and opponents of intelligent design in North America and Europe.Lire l'avis complet...

Thought provoking

The video is a thought provoking look at how society is taking away the right to openly believe in a creator. This issue is examined not from a particular religious viewpoint and is definitely worth watching.
I would recommend the video even though I don't feel it was well done. At time, the music is too loud which makes it difficult to hear what is being said, there are irritating old video clips randomly inserted which don't add value to the movie and the people who are interviewed were not given enough time to adequately explain their positions.Lire l'avis complet...

Achat vérifié :  Oui | État : occasion | Vendu par : decluttr_store

A voice of reason

Evolution as a concept should stand up to some question if it is a fact as taught theses days. Questions like, how did life begin? Are posed to the leading lights of intellectualism on both sides of the intelligent design/ evolution question and the results are compelling.Lire l'avis complet...

Outstanding Video

Ben Stein has created an educational and informative video on the intellectual battle on Intelligent Design and evolution. I had NO idea how serious evolutionists regard their theory, and teach it as fact and that well respected academics got fired from their prestigious Universities from either writing or mentioning in their lectures the term "Intelligent Design". What was new thanks to this video is that the nazis used the philosophy of Darwinism to further their dark cause in history. Mr Stein interviews the top evolutionists in the world and quizzes them on how did life start only to learn that they acknowledge that they really don't know, but they have theories. Needless to say this is truly a documentary to watch and to learn from.Lire l'avis complet...

Achat vérifié :  Oui | État : occasion | Vendu par : briabri5nisskl

Very thorough inquiry- a must see!

Why were several great science minds terminated from their universities? Ben Stein leaves no stone unturned finding out, interviewing all sorts of thinkers and researcherrs to get to the bottom of this injustice. Delve into life's origins and other heavy topics while enjoying humorous vintage flicks. Be surprised to find out what Charles Darwin and Adolf Hitler have in common. And in the end, learn why all conclusions must be considered by the scientific community.Lire l'avis complet...

Expelled : No Intelligence Allowed.

This DVD surprised me. It talks about how accomplished & awarded scientists are black listed when they present evidence to Consider ideas against what is PC - Politically Convenient. I thought society was free, secular, and owned thier own independent thought. Yet the "powers that be" will hurt you if you do not comply with ideas that are IN FASHION. GET THIS DVD and learn HOW Everyone can be persecuted - if we do not say what is "in".Lire l'avis complet...

Achat vérifié :  Oui | État : neuf | Vendu par : heartlandselect

Expelled

The movie explains how our colleges and universities have become increasingly leftist. It didn't happen by accident. Essential reading for those who are deciding which colleges to send their students to and for all who are interested in getting education vs indoctrination. As a nation we have to address this problem. Both sides of the issues have to be presented in an unbiased, agenda-free education so students can decide for themselves.Lire l'avis complet...

Achat vérifié :  Oui | État : occasion | Vendu par : oakcityenterprise