Expelled, A Review

Recently, my family and I rented the movie, Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed. Actually it is more of a documentary than a movie. In that it looks at the debate in the scientific community between evolution and intelligent design. Ben Stein is the host and he conducts a number of interviews with scientist and people in the world of academia. This movie centers on three main themes.

The scientific community is intolerant of anyone questioning the “Theory of Evolution.” Anyone suggesting creation is ridiculed and “expelled” from the scientific community. One example given in the movie is the treatment of Richard Steinberg. Mr. Steinberg is an atheist, but he allowed a peer-reviewed research paper that gave evidence for intelligent design to be published in a scientific journal (Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington). He was forced to resign and was expelled from his position as a researcher for the National Center for Science Education and Smithsonian Institution.

Personally after talking to Christians that are currently working in the science department of various colleges, I can tell you that they are often ridiculed for believing in God. In the world of academia and science, having an open mind does not extend to the subject of evolution.

Another theme of the movie is the underlying message of evolution. According to Darwin , species survive and adapt or they become extinct. It is all about the survival of the strongest. While I do not believe most scientist or evolutionist would endorse or defend Hitler or those like him, he was one that believed the same thing. The fact is science without a moral standard is dangerous. Many scientist today are atheist and therefore do not believe in a moral standard. It can be scary.

Finally, the movie points out the hypocrisy of some evolutionists that are quick to deny the existence of God or a creator yet agree that life probably came for some source. One scientist said the first cell may have come from a crystal. Another scientist said the DNA is too complicated to have come into existence by mere chance. He actually suggested it may have come from another planet. In other words, life here on earth came from aliens.

The point I took away from this movie is that evolutionist are committed to their faith in evolution. It is a matter of faith and not scientific evidence. Both the creationist and evolutionist have the same facts and must interpret those facts so as to make the most sense to them. Both have their prejudice and both are challenged to be honest with those facts. On the one hand, the evolutionist trust in time and chance and aliens or crystals to have brought life to earth; on the other hand the creationist trust in a living being, a God to have created life here on earth. Which is more reasonable and harmonizes with what we know about life and science?

In summarizing Expelled’s ultimate goal, Stein declares that he wants to see a world where “scientists are supposed to be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it may lead, no matter what the implications are. Freedom of inquiry has been greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-American, it’s anti-science. its anti-the whole concept of learning.” (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/expelled-review)

Expelled is a movie worth watching. It can lead to further discussions with your children and neighbors. — Dennis Tucker

Home Page