11 April 2008

Expelled: The First Amendment

I have recently been hearing about a documentary by Ben Stein called 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed'. It focuses on how Darwinian Evolution is being taught as fact, and dissension by people who even want to discuss the POSSIBILITY of creation are silenced, run out of universities and trampled by their 'peers'. It's amazing that college used to teach people how to think, now it teaches people what to think, and what it is teaching is in most cases far-left doctrine. The trailer mentions how the greatest minds in science, from Galileo to Einstein and even Darwin operated with some belief in a creator. It is hard to believe that the universe was not created, given the mathematical precision required for the universe to exist as it does.

But Darwinian Evolution as is taught in schools, silences all dissenting views, (much like climate change) and threatens dissenters with firing, failing, criticism and ridicule, all to promote a secular progressive agenda, eroding free speech. What is sad is that the argument FOR Darwinian Evolution has MANY holes in it. It is shaky at best, unlikely and in many cases unbelievable. Yet most of those who believe in creation, do not want to silence those who believe in evolution. In fact many believe (as I do) that evolution has had a significant effect on life as we know it today. Without evolution, plants, animals and microorganisms would not be able to adapt to an ever-changing planet. I believe that not only are the organisms evolving, but so is the planet, the solar system and the universe. I see it as part of an incredibly designed system. God knows what He is doing.

"This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself" (Isaiah 44:24)

God created all things, and if you don't believe that, it is your right to disagree here in the United States of America. However, those who disagree with me, DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT to silence anyone. You can disagree, that is what America is about. America is about freedom. Let's stop being like those dictatorships that we have been fighting for hundreds of years, and start standing up for freedom again. Let's stand up for our own freedoms, AND the freedoms of those we disagree with.

For more information and to find a theatre near you, go to http://www.expelledthemovie.com/

80 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was listening to an interview w/ Stein the other day when i was drivin to Austin (unfortunetly lost reception); definately want to see this. I knew he was a conservative, didn't know he was a Believer.

S said she'd like to do a day trip w/ kiddos to Austin in a couple a weeks (have to be a weekend tho). We'll see.

Keep writin.

Nestor said...

Day trip sounds good. We'll have to figure out something cool to do. Maybe canoes on town lake? (Oh my bad, Lady Bird Lake) I'm not sure, is Ben Stein a Christian? I figured he was a practicing Jew, but didn't peg him for a Christian. I'm not sure though.

Anonymous said...

Movie does sound interesting. I've always liked Ben Stein. Good luck finding it in your local theatres. Have to find one that plays indys or wait for DVD.

Why are capatalizing Believer? Fill me in.

"Then I saw her faaace..." That'll be in my head all day.

An aside about Ben Stein. I live off of a street called Benstein. It's pronounced "een", but people call it Ben Stein for kicks.

Think I'll look him up and answer your religion question for you.

Anonymous said...

K, sounds like he's Jewish. Raised that way and the Wikipedia site didn't mention any sort of change. Does that make him a non-Believer? Or a believer w/ a small "b"? Am I pushing my luck right now? ;)

Thought this was interesting...while discussing the new movie:

"Two of the pro-evolution scientists interviewed for Expelled claim that they were interviewed under false pretenses. One, PZ Myers, assumes the quotes are edited in a way that misrepresents his original statements[19][20]. The other, prominent skeptic and Scientific American writer Michael Shermer, has viewed the film and confirms that his view was manipulated, and he suspected something was amiss due to Stein's "odd" behavior during filming."

Wonder if anything'll come of that. I don't like when people get duped and their thoughts manipulated. I hope there's not much to this. Sorta makes you wonder about documentaries in general, how they can twist stuff to make the point they want to make. I'm glad to see Moore and Gore have some competition either way!! Tired of liberals cornering the market on docs.

Nestor said...

Linda,

I hope that's not true, but to me, it honestly seems like damage control on their part. I know a little about Michael Shermer. He seems like he's pretty genuine in his beliefs (riding the fence that is). He debated Douglas Jacoby one time. I feel that Jacoby's arguments were stronger, but Shermer made interesting points as well. There was an atheist who is linked to on the expelled site, that blasted Stein and the other makers of the movie. It sounded a lot like normal liberal diatribe if you ask me. A lot of complaining with no real substance.

Anonymous said...

Well, I *BELIVE* I', frustrated w/ new construction. went to kerrville only to find out they won't be ready for me till monday. So now I have to reschedule a job I lined up for tues that was originally scheduled for tomorrow, back to tomorrow, so I can work tues in Kerr to catch up from a delay I didn't create; and come off as a big idiot to my customer..nice.

Actually, I never knew Stein's "beliefs". I capitalize Christian, Believer, Scripture, Bible, ect simply cause I want to.

Anonymous said...

Oh, sorry 'bout the Monkeys song in your head BTW.

Anonymous said...

Canoen sounds fun (tho I imagine there will be alotta Dad rown). Do you guys fish? We have plenty of equipment.

Big game tonight, hopefully we'll get off the snide.

Anonymous said...

Stan,
Had a stroke of genious while makin dinner...someone oughtta do a parody of "Aquarius" from Hair using "asparagus". Huh? Huh? Whatta ya think?

Anonymous said...

Hey Texans, I bought "Texas mashed potatoes" today in your honor. They have poblano peppers (whatever those are), and white cheddar. I'll let you know how it went over.

Anonymous said...

What a day! 69 and a good amount of sun. Donned a tshirt and caught some rays. Think I actually got a little sunburned! It's always a little traumatic in the Spring seeing your arms exposed out of doors for the first time in 6 months. Jarring. I glow, I'm so white. I'm glue. I'm a glue stick with freckles. I need SUUUUUNNNNN.
Course now it's raining w/ a tornado watch and we're gettin flurries this weekend. Gotta love it.

Anonymous said...

Texas taters tasted terrific!

Bummer about your jobs. Don't y'all have phones down there? Ya know, "hey Reck, don't bother comin' up, we can't use ya"? I know, I'm a forward thinker.
gl w/ your game!

Anonymous said...

Don't think I ever had Texas taters, but if it's got cheese it cain't be bad.

Wow, almost 70..niiiice.

Ok, we're 0-4 after gettn thumped 15 to 1. Had probably the worst game I've ever had in any sportn event. Struck out..in slow pitch softball. Forgot to cover the bag on a force out (woulda gotten us outta the inning, and of course it led to their 8 run inning), and banged my knee up alittle bit slidin into third. Never slide head first in shorts btw. So basically, we suck. BUT, we avoided gettn shutout...wohoo!

Anonymous said...

Good golly, I'm speechless. Is this where I'm supposed to "woo hoo!" that you weren't shut out? ;)
I don't recommend sliding head first with or without shorts on. I watched my dad do it in his "40 and older" league and he ended up w/ stitches between his pinky and his ring. Still can't get em to touch. At least you're out there, and that's something. Screw the stats!

Anonymous said...

We're watchin a tivo'd show called NEA on the Spike channel. It airs Wed. nites at 11:00 pm. About NEA officers in Detroit...one of the main cops is a guy we went to high school with. (I actually kinda dated him for a short while). Kinda neat.

Anonymous said...

Don't know if we get Spike, least I don't recall seein it; but I'll look.

40 and over league, now that's an idea :) Yaeh, screw that stats, unless of course, we start winning...naaaaaw.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you'll start winning eventually. It's early. Never thought about the age thing reg. your league. Are there a lot of youngsters?

I think that's kinda funny you capitalize cuz you want to. I've been doin it, cuz I thought you were supposed to. I always wondered about capitalizing "Bible", but I just went with it.

Don't think I have a chance at Doc's caption. There's been a lot of submittals since mine, and frankly some of those folks don't have the same sense of humor as me. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Anonymous said...

Truthfully I capitalize Bible, Scripture, ect out of respect for Him, and because I want to. Doesn't bother me if others don't.

Every team we've played are younger overall. We're pretty diverse (youngsters, mid thirty guys and old timers). haven't seen any players for other teams w/ any "older" guys; mostly either side a thirty I'd say. Only two guys older than me on our team. Told ther younger guys if they call me "Pops", I quit.

Anonymous said...

Regardin Doc's caption contests; most of them are pretty lame imo.

Another thing about capitalizn Bible and such. I think some people may equate it w/ idol worship (kinda like Catholics prayn to the Virgin Mary). Maybe why they don't cap some things (and i can understand that belief)' it's just that I see Scripture as God's Word and justify capn it. I know that my Dad (we excahnge e-mails daily) doesn't cap anything but the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); his could be an Episcopal thing.

Anonymous said...

My pinky appreciates that.

Pops...ha. I hate to break it to you (again), but you're not old. So get your butt out there and hit a slow pitch! :)

Saw a Spring break bit the other nite on O'Reilly. Thought of your kids. Any Spring break for them? It would be hard nowadays to let em go to some of those places. I went to Lauderdale, and if you ask my dad today, he'd say it's one of his biggest regrets, letting me go. (And paying for it, no less). I've tried to reassure him it was pretty harmless, (ahem), but he still wishes he'd laid down the law w/ that one. I called him everyday, and was well protected by the guys who went down w/ us, but it's always a gamble. And it seems now it's a lot crazier.

Anonymous said...

Reg. captions...I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Anonymous said...

I agree, it'd be hard to let my kiddos do th spring break thing. I wasn't allowed to until fresh yr a college.

Guess if it comes down to it, I'd err on the side of trustn their judgement (not until college age) and let em go..maybe.

Regardn age, I really don't feel that old. I know, I know, cause I'm not old.

well, I'm pooped..gn.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I was talkin high school. I think you're right about waiting till college. gn

Stan Rosenthal said...

(parody) Fact is fact
I want reality back

(to the tune of 'Black Is Black', I don't recall who origonally did this)

Anonymous said...

Just an aside as I was re-readin. Missed your woohooin after not being shut out. Think I stopped readin after 'so basically we suck'. Funny tho that I said exactly what you said. I guess I'm explainin why I sounded like a parrot.

Stan Rosenthal said...

Linda, FYI there's no such a thing as "Texas mashed potatos".

We do have baked potatos here, but I don't think that that's exclusive to Texas.

Stan Rosenthal said...

Linda -
> Saw a Spring break bit the other nite on O'Reilly. ...

O'Really? It's amazing (LOL!!!!) how much he's into sexual exploitation.

Nestor said...

Stan,

I don't know about Black is Black, but I've heard Back in Black by AC/DC.

Nestor said...

Linda,

Walking the wild side with the Texas Taters. Yesterday at work I had some Chicken Fried Chicken. AWWWWW YEEEEAAAAHHHH!

Nestor said...

Reck,

Tough one about the game. Maybe you should send a few guys down to the minors or something. ;)

Anonymous said...

Stan,
Take it up with Bob Evans.

Anonymous said...

Nestor,
I hope you ordered it like Bond. James Bond. Which is better, the steak or the chick?

Anonymous said...

Nest,

Yeah, don't think the minors would take any of us. Maybe Little League...maybe.

L,

So ya found ya some CFC. Hope they provided some mashed potatos and cream gravy w/ it. You must have cream gravy w/ chicken fried anything or it doesn't count.

Stan,

They actually posted a comment a mine on the ObamaBlog, you should comment there. It's confusin tho, they publish comments very willy-nilly.

Anonymous said...

R,
Whoops, that wasn't me toots. Nestor had the CFC. Great, now I've gotta google "cream gravy". Ya know, I thought I was a fairly worldy person till I met you people. Turns out I don't know squat.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, we're very "worldly" here in Tejas, 'cuse we chicken fry stuff. Speakn a food, we drove into town (SA) this evenin and ate at the Fish City Grill (any a those in Austin Nest?) It was ok, 'course I grew up eatn seafood along the gulf, so hard to find really good seafood here. Best I've had in SA is Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen (which I coincidently painted awhile back).

Big plans tonite, rented a movie and S makin queso (w/ sausage of course).

Stan Rosenthal said...

Linda, Y (and who) Bob Evans?

Nestor, it's a bit earlier than the AC/DC thing. Around the age of AC/DC's parents (The Easybeats).

Reck, we got a Fish City Grill here in Houston. I had the grilled shrimp. And it was ok.

Stan Rosenthal said...

Reck -
> Best I've had in SA is Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen (which I coincidently painted awhile back).

Let me guess. You painted it black. ;-)

Stan Rosenthal said...

Nestor, it appears to be Los Bravos -

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VVWNZPOUhO8

Anonymous said...

Stan,
Bob Evans...it's a brand (and a restaurant). Sausage, sausage, oh I don't know what else they make. But they made the mashed potatoes I bought that were named "Texas mashed potatoes." I realize there's no such thing, they just added stuff to them to make them southwesterny and named them aptly. So if you're taking umbrage, you need to take it with Bob Evans and not moi.

You do realize that most of our conversations consist mostly of explain ourselves. We'd make a crummy married couple. ;)

Anonymous said...

R,
I didn't mean to imply that YOU guys were worldly, I just meant that through talking to you, I realize there's a lot I don't know about.:)

Movie any good last night? As good as the queso?

Oh, I didn't medal in Doc's contest. Bronze went to a bodily function joke. I think I recall rolling my eyes when I first read it...I'm not destined for greatness over there!

Anonymous said...

Re: "worldly" was just jokn. We watch Evan Almighty. Our Koinonia team is havin a movie nite at the church next month and I wanted to watch it again to see if there were any "iffy" parts. Were Two references to a male body part and one mild curse word: we'll see. Tough to come up w/ a movie that will be entertainin to adults and passable for kids as well. Tryn to avoid copin-out w/ a G rated flick.

Anonymous said...

Fixin to go hit some golf balls; watchn the Masters really makes me wanna play. Can't remember for sure, but don't you and D.J. play? Weather's awesome here today. Enjoy yalls why you can (another winter blast comin your way).

Regardin Doc's, keep tryn, you are a former winner there you know.

Anonymous said...

That is tough. Not to mention the little stuff like that goes by w/out you really noticing. Until a kid's in the room. How bout The Golden Compass?? just kidding.
How about an Abbot and Costello flick? You could get the one where the meet the werewolf, or something. Make it all spooky. Lights out, candles... too creepy for church? I used to watch those every Sunday morning at 9am. (I know, explains a lot.)

Anonymous said...

D.J....you're good.
D plays, he's pretty good actually. On a league every Wed startin here in a couple weeks. I just said to him I wanna hit the range. I have clubs and shoes, so I used to, but I haven't played in a long time. My drives are good, putt only ok, but I suck with an iron.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Abbott and Costello did a western! "Ride em Cowboy". eh?

Nestor said...

It's hard to pick a movie that doesn't have some off-color stuff nowadays. Unless you go G-rated, which you're trying to avoid. I think in an effort to make movies fun for adults, they push the limits of what kids should be exposed to. We don't take the kids to PG-13 unless we've viewed it first, and PG is getting scary. Maybe it's getting worse, or maybe we're just more sensitive to what kids should be exposed to, not sure which.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to think if we've taken them to see something PG-13. Help me out, Nestor, what are some that have come out the last couple years that are 13? Narnia was probably. That "Kung Fu Panda" comin out soon looks cute.

I have let em see certain movies that are probably suspect. Jurassic Park comes to mind. I know, but my oldest is a dino NUT, so I let it go when he assured me it didn't scare him cuz it's all fake. Star Wars, too they watch. (They turn their heads when Anniken and Padme kiss. ha) "Hold me like you did by the lake on Nabu!"

Nestor said...

The PG-13 movies we have let our kids see are the last two Harry Potter movies, and the last Star Wars. We did wait awhile before letting him see the last Star Wars though. He didn't really like the ending, which is what I was really concerned about. We had to pause it and talk about it. I think Vader catching on fire was the disturbing part, and maybe getting an arm and both legs chopped off, that was kind of disturbing as well.

Narnia is PG. We had let him see the 2nd Spiderman movie before we had seen it (on a recommendation from a friend) and I was terrified that Doc Oc would send one of his tentacles through someone. Fortunately that didn't happen. The one PG movie that blew my mind was Shrek 2. I thought it was funny, but we haven't let them see it again. The first one pushed the boundaries a little, but that one should have been PG-13.

They have seen the first Pirates movie, but we haven't seen the others yet. That's all I can think of. A PG movie that I thought would be 13 that we loved is Nacho Libre. I'm not a huge Jack Black fan, but I love that movie.

Anonymous said...

Hmm...how exactly does a golf league work? Went to the range and ended up playn 9 holes today; still can't putt worth a @**%^. It's very frustratn, the short game. Did hit all but one fairway off the tee tho. Must practice more.

Yes, this movie idea is more complicated than I first suspected. Will suggest Golden Compass just to see what kinda reaction I get :)
Maybe a Three stooges or Marx Bros. Actually, Narnia might work. Keep up w/ the sugs yall.

Nestor said...

We rented Raiders a little while back, (I forgot to return it BTW) and I forgot how good it was. It's like he's Han Solo with a whip. But some of it disturbed me a little. I'm glad the kids weren't watching. I think my son could watch it, but we may have some 'splainin to do.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, the burning stump of Vadar was pretty intense. Reminds me of the knight in M.Python, tho. Makes me laugh.

Abbott and Costello beats the 3 Stooges hands down. I love Lou's wheezes when he's tryin to say somethin but he's too scared. Shoot, I don't think I've ever even seen a Marx Brothers. Forget what I said before, Reck, you ARE old.

Anonymous said...

Have you guys seen that one about the thing that looks like Nessy? The Water something. Horse? Anyway, that might be good.

Anonymous said...

Ha! Maybe I am. Well,I grew up playn dominoes and watchn Laurel and Hardy (lived w/ my grandparents on and off for awhile). I guess Harold Lloyd silent films are outta the question :)

BTW, Raiders is my fav movie of all time.

Anonymous said...

Yes, "The Water Horse: Legends of the Deep" it's called. Out recently on DVD. It's PG.
E.T. might be a good one. And hey, there's aliens in it! Don't know what that's rated. Come to think of it, don't think they had 13 back then. In a pinch, there's always Planet of the Apes. ;)

Anonymous said...

I was gonna make a Laurel and Hardy crack, but I let it go.

Anonymous said...

How 'bout the Godfather? It's got God and father in it. E.T. is a possibility. I'll rent water something a give it a look. May go animated, we'll see.

Lookn forward to Deadliest catch season 4 next week. Ever watch it?

Anonymous said...

Ha! Godfather..nice try.
Deadliest catch...never heard of it. Criminals? Big bad fish? Viruses? Disco fever? Surfer waves? Fly balls? Names?

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, king crab. (Looked it up.) Looks cool. Do you ever watch Dirty Jobs? I like that one. Mike cracks me up.

Anonymous said...

Seen it a few times. He (mike) narrates DC. It's funny, whole family watches it, even youngest. 50 grand in 3 weeks per deck hand vs dieing in freezn water...hmm.

It's kinda like doin choi kwang do in an icerink, 'cept the pays better.

Anonymous said...

Ha! Just reread your guesses on DC...fly balls, very funny.

Anonymous said...

I'm watchin it right now, the behind the scenes thing. That's insane!! I almost can't believe they get people to do that. I was wondering about the pay.

Anonymous said...

Think I'll stick to paintn and golf. Six more years and Senior Tour here I come.

Well, gn.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with that. I think you still have to putt on the senior tour, tho. Just sayin.
Have a good day tomorrow!

Nestor said...

So on the senior tour they don't do gimmes for anything inside 10 feet?

About ET, my mom bought it for the kids awhile back and we hadn't watched it for some reason. Finally a few weeks ago, Carmen and the kids watched it and she was a little disturbed by the dinner scene. It was kids being kids, saying stuff they shouldn't say. Might not be bad for most people but some people might be apalled. You'd have to decide based on how well you know them. It's tough because you can have one or two lines in a movie that make you question watching it with little ones, when the rest of the movie is excellent. Oh and I think ET gets drunk in the movie as well. Other than that, I would say thumbs up!

Maybe VeggieTales would work. I don't know if the latest one is on video yet. It didn't do real well at the box office, but it was a good movie. Good message. It's not as plain as Jonah, but I think adult Christians will see the message pretty clearly. I did anyway. If you're going animated there's also Prince of Egypt and Joseph.

Anonymous said...

Doh! Forgot about E.T's alchoholic tendencies. That reminds me, I was watchin Monster House (animated!) with the boys and the babysitter has a boyfriend over and he's drinkin a BEER! I was so mad! The empty beer can plays a role in the plot, but they couldn't have made it a pop? Just un-necessary.

I struggled a bit with the kids bein kids talk. They do that too much in cartoons. Kids don't have to be smart alecs, but society seems to think that's funny. I did a lot of 'I'll let you watch this, but if I EVER hear you...' It's easier now that they're older and slightly less impressionable. I think.

Honestly I think MY sarcasm is more confusing. Now that they're older I've loosened up more and I like messin with em. That's why I liked teaching the middle school kids. You could have some fun with them while still establishing respect and a line you don't cross. Where people get in trouble is when that line isn't drawn very clearly, imo. Wow, where am I going with this? We're talking movies. I'll keep thinking.

Nestor said...

More movie ideas: Bridge to Terabithia and Enchanted.

Anonymous said...

Yeah but Enchanted doesn't have aliens in it, does it? Can't be that good. ;)

How old are these kids, Reck?

Anonymous said...

Reg. animated...

You know what would be really good, is Horton Hears a Who, if it were out on DVD. Pay no mind to Nestor falling asleep...he was tired. ;) How about The Bee Movie? I think that was pretty harmless. I just saw it again the other weekend. That pirate sword stinger...ha ha ha ha ha...ahhh, good times, good times.

Nestor said...

Regarding Horton, not only did I fall asleep, D fell asleep as well. I think there is something about men 25 and older falling asleep during that movie. I think it is automatic.

Anonymous said...

Um...he was tired, too? ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh! I heard about a new superhero today on the radio. It's a "green" superhero called "Michael Recycle"! I'm not kidding. It WAS on a station coming out of Canada, but still....

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the sugs. Enchanted was soooo boring, haven't seen Bridge to Terasomthinorother.

May go waaaaayyy retro and have a silent movie night, or 40's movie nite w/ news reel, ect.

Still tryn to avoid animated flick, don't know why; maybe that'd be too easy.


Ah...Michael Recycle...
Faster than a speeding SUV
Stronger than a Exxon PAC
Able to leap a windmill generator in a single bound...
...it's MICHAEL RECYCLE!

Nestor said...

Don't throw your trash oot, ya hoser! Recycle Eh!

Reck you thought Enchanted was boring? I think it's funny because it's so over the top, but to each his own. You may find Bridge to Terabithia boring but it is a pretty good story. I vaguely remember reading the book as a kid.

I'm having a hard time coming up with other non-cartoon movies that aren't offensive in one way or another.

Anonymous said...

Lol...windmill generator. :)
I was thinkin about The Wizard of Oz today. Too scary?
Silent movie, eh? I've got some slides from our trip out west from '76 if you're tryin to put the crowd to sleep. Stock full of gym shorts and knee socks. ;)

Anonymous said...

Nice slogan, Nestor...lol. That did it. You two are pullin my leg...you're Canadians.

Anonymous said...

Yep, he's Bob and I'm Doug, McKenzie that is.

Someone in our group e-mailed me a family values type movie review site, I'll let yall know. Tahnks again for the tips.

Anonymous said...

Ok, the site is called "christiancinema.com"; it helped alot. Narrowed it down to three choices: Evan Almighty, Chronicles of Narnia and/or The Ultimate Gift.

BTW Nest, Bridge and Egypt were both on "cc" lists.

Reck out.

Anonymous said...

Interesting, your site had "Martian Child" which is in my Blockbuster queue. I like John Cusack...and martians.

Lin out. (whatever that means)

Anonymous said...

Space, the final frontier.
We almost rented that at BB this past weekend, went w/ a Wi game and Evan instead. Yes, I only allow two rental, max.

"out" as in I'm outta here. Can recall "wreck-out" referin to a crash, ie. "dude, slow down are you're gonna wreck-out".

Yall have a good one and keep it between the lines.

Stan Rosenthal said...

Did ya'll hear about that company in Utah that chopped up movies and posted them as Christian friendly because they chopped out all the sex and cuss words? Ends up it was a front for a company producing pornography (with the underaged, as I recall the story.)