In Seattle, we’re home to the Discovery Institute, a conservative think thank dedicated to the task of changing the definition of science. They’re hyping the new Ben Stein anti-Darwin film, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”. The film is getting awful reviews.
While I oppose the sneaky introduction of creationism into the classroom, I have not seen an energetic and accessible response by the science community.
Until now.
Ken Miller basically rips Intelligent Design apart in a 2 hour long exposé of the claims of intelligent design and the tactics that creationists employ to get it shoehorned into the American school system.
Miller is funny, urbane, and respectful. He’s the author of science textbooks, and testifies in front of school boards across the country. At every one of these engagements, he always manages to eat the lunch of the Discovery Institute guys. The video is nearly two hours long, so allow it time to load. It’s worth it.
I have not seen an energetic and accessible response by the science community.
Ah, really?
A Odin and his two brothers (Vili & Ve) made the Earth out of the skull of a frost giant they slew…EVERYONE knows that if you don’t you’re just dumb. Common knowledge. And Loki, bastard son of Odin can ‘plant’ a few fossils and fake the chemistry/biology/astrophysics of the entire universe to SEEM like this isn’t true, but it still is true.
Funny? ONLY because it’s not YOUR religions view on the magical creation of the world. Obviously if you’re Christian, YOUR magical creation story is obvious and true and holy and the Norse, Egyptian, Navajo or Greek magical creation myths are just silly.
ALL of the magical creation stories (including Christianity) are just as silly and laughable. And most importantly, even IF one of the hundreds of religions turned out to be true, it’s still beyond science. Science can only discuss and debate what is measurable and testable in the physical world around us. If our universe was sneezed out of the left nostril of a a magical invisible space turtle, it’s beyond science to prove or disprove that. Science doesn’t have tools for measuring ‘magic’ so it’s a moot point. So stop trying to wedge magical creation mythology into science classrooms. That belongs in philosophy class.
http://www.expelledexposed.com/
The funniest thing about the movie is how it is being seen by the ID crowd. Hook…Line…
and Sinker.
In the end we get to see a bit of natural selection in action.
Just watched John Oliver’s comedy special and he mentioned how amazed he was that 3 of the 10 original Republican candidates for President didn’t believe in evolution. It’s funny to see how people from outside of the U.S. are shocked over how widespread this belief is here.
Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!!
How come you don’t give the terrorist bombers
any shit about their 72 virgins. The rest of
the world can fuck right off. Wait until
you’re on your deathbed and laugh about it
again.
We don’t? Obviously you never heard Robin Williams’ spiel on suicide bombers from his HBO special from 2002, Live On Broadway:
“That’s 72 Virginians, you asshole!”
Funny man he is. DIIIIIS-missed!
7 The guys who hijack jets or strap themselves into C4 vests and off themselves along with their victims hollering “Allah Be Praised” are narcissists following maniacs, misinterpreting the teachings of their ancestral religion to justify the acting out of their psychotic fantasies.
What’s your excuse, Mark?
Testimony in an intelligent design hearing in Utah by Gregory Clark
Says it all for me
ArtFart isn’t it interesting that the demeanor of the terrorists is very similar to the far right wingnuts we see here on HA?
ByeByeGOP, not only is the demeanor of the far right wingnuts similar to the terrorists but also their beliefs are similar to those of the terrorists i.e. religious fanaticism, violence as a policy tool, suppression of others ideas, etc.
Gee Mark – as others have rightly noted:
Religious fanatics of all stripes deserve the humiliation of exposure to the light. Only then will their insane ideas be exposed. What is the difference between the christian fundamentalists identity movement, the Muslim fanatics and the LDS fanatics in the enclaves? Really, they only differ in the self-centerd interpretation of how they are the center of god’s universe and no one else counts. Only the true believers will be saved….everyone else will be damned…
Lee sez at #5:
Only three?? I thought it was more like 3 (at most) of 10 did have positive impressions of evolution.
I have no idea whether McCain is one of the reality-based Republicans, at least on this particular issue. If not him, then who else among the Hucks and Mitts and Rudys and Rons would be?
I can’t tell you how much I wish there would eventually be a Science Debate during this year’s campaign. Even if McCain does believe in evolution (“belief” isn’t the word I’d use for the act of acknowledging the veracity of well-studied natural phenomena), I have to think he’d have problems working his way through the most rudimentary of scientific concepts and topics.
No thanks, Will. It would take my computer several years posting giving us an executive summary?
We simply must move the media (and society) off this false thinking that lies and fantasies deserve equal time with facts, and reporting is not “balanced” unless editors maintain neutrality toward idiocy.
Science tries to find out HOW of this world. Religion discusses WHY. Such as, why in the Hell would God do such a thing as creat us? Maybe the concept of creation is a reflection of man’s egotrip. After all, are we not the reflection of God.
It may be of note that Rocky Mountain Pictures, which produced Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, was also responsible for Megiddo and Carman: The Champion (both sponsored by Trinity Broadcast Network), and several other pictures closely tied to evangelical Christian organizations.
Of course, they also did Elvira’s Haunted Hills. Go figure.