When I first heard of “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” I was hoping it would open some doors. I was optimistic that the popularity of this movie would get people asking the right questions, and that Christians would have some answers ready. It could be expected that atheists, evolutionists and Darwinists would oppose the film and its ideas, but Expelled has also received negative criticism from other circles.
Intelligent Design is sort of a redheaded stepchild to begin with. It is not creationism, and conservative evangelicals think of ID as a compromise between religion and science. They accuse ID of trying to “water down” religious faith enough that science can accept it. So IDers are going to take it from both sides; Darwinists who think that it’s creationism as well as religious zealots who thinks it isn’t creationism enough. Then out comes Expelled, which I was hoping would get people open minded enough to allow us all to talk about this. I’m afraid the separation between religion and science has only gotten deeper. Whichever side of the argument one is on, both sides seemed determined to annihilate the other. There is no discussion, and little debate. Only lots of screaming about how closed minded and idiotic the other side is being. There are thousands of articles, blog posts and broadcasts on the Expelled/ ID subject, but a lot of them feature scientists being rather unscientific and Christians acting very un-Christlike.
Ken Miller believes in God but also evolution. There is certainly no reason that science and theology be mutually exclusive. Plenty of scientists believe in God, and some of them in creation. Some Christians believe that evolution is the way the God brought about biological diversity. With the information and tools we have available today, no one can prove that he or she is correct. No one else, conversely, can prove someone wrong. I wish more people could admit that. The purpose of science is to ask questions, and offer theories. Over time, some theories become so overwhelming that they are redefined as law. The law of gravity is one example. No one’s arguing that one. But the law of conservation of matter tuned out to be wrong. That matter can be neither created nor destroyed is no longer taught, not since the atomic age of nuclear energy began. Matter can be converted to energy and vice versa, hence that law was rewritten. The theory of evolution was drafted to answer particular questions as scientifically as possible, and I have no problem with it being taught; but when some people begin a sentence with statements like “No intelligent person still believes in God…” or “since it is unscientific to believe in a deity…” I have a real problem. Plenty of people act like the matter is totally resolved, and are offended that everyone doesn’t agree with them. There are those who get very emotional that every person doesn’t agree 100% with them that God could not possible exist, and claim that science supports their proposition.
There are also Christians that are anti-science. But is scientific enquiry and reasoning what they’re really against, or is it the arrogant scientists that declare no one else could possible be right that they’re opposed to. I love and enjoy science; but it has limitations. Science cannot be used to disprove someone’s faith. And like I said earlier, cannot prove that someone’s faith/belief system is right, either. Listen Christians: there is no branch of natural science that can prove God exists, nor that he created the universe. Those things are a matter of faith. Our faith in the cross of Christ is unreasonable to the logical thinking mind. How can I say such a thing? Because the Bible says it. “The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those that perish,” and a stumbling block to the wise of this world. Paul knew this. We are promised that many will be led to destruction, and few find the straight and narrow way. Exactly what are some Christians trying to win here?
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This post didn’t turn out the way I imagined. I planned on addressing the negative criticism Expelled has received, and that maybe it wasn’t the God-send some had hoped for. I’m not even sure we can believe a lot of the claims the movie makes. I also wanted to mention a book I’m reading about the “New Atheits” and how they are intent on not just being atheist, but hell-bent on making sure the rest of us become atheist also. All religion is “dangerous” according to them. I’ll write a review when I’m finished reading it. In the meantime, this isn’t the post I set out to write, but I’m very please with how it turned out none the less.
I’ve never totally understood why we can’t all just believe what we want to believe, without having to argue about it so much. Personally I think ALL theories should be discussed in schools – from evolution to ID to creationism to the theories of other religions, leaving kids to discuss the options with their parents and decide on their own what to believe. I believe in evolution, but I don’t care if my neighbor believes in creationsim or any other theory – it’s none of my business and not my place to judge!
It was a good post, even if it didn’t turn out the way you planned!
1) This isn’t about Intelligent Design, the heir of a 400+ year tradition of “Natural Theology”.
It’s about Intelligent Design (nudge nudge wink wink know what I mean know what I mean), a new coat of camouflage paint for Young Earth Creation Science.
2) Clark: What you call “the New Atheists” are better called Anti-Theists; not just atheist, but rabidly hostile to anything resembling theism. Richard Dawkins and Fred Phelps are funhouse mirror reflections of each other.
I didn’t call them the “New Atheists,” I was referring to Becky Garrison’s book which I will be reviewing very soon. Perhaps this weekend/ first of next week. Look for it, the book is great.
I suggest reading “The Language of God” by Francis Collins, an evangelical Christian and head of the Human Genome Project. He is a respected molecular biologist and a believing Christian who presents a very informed perspective on these issues. He is a Christian with real scientific credentials and he is an evolutionist.
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http://www.expelledexposed.com/
That’s all I want to say on the matter at this time.