Review of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) by Thad A — 13 Feb 2009

On the whole, I enjoyed the film. [u]Expelled[/u] brought to my attention the existence of a cadre of scientists that are persecuted for their explorations and/or acknowledgment of the possibility of intelligent design. Science and religion have been at odds throughout the annals of history, throughout the world. In most instances, the scientific community has suffered at the hands of religious authority, yielding a belief among those who idolize scientific heroes of the past that religion is evil. Religious belief is now waning, the strongest impetus of which is currently the ideas proferred by proponents of Darwin's theories. This film attempts, at long last, to open intelligent and fair discussion and debate among those who would explain the origin of life in mutually exclusive ways.

Eugenics is a logical course of thought stemming from Darwin's theory of evolution and was developed by his cousin Francis Galton. Without an afterlife, the attractiveness of an earthly utopia is very great. Darwin, Galton and eugenics provide a possible path to achieve this goal, at least biologically. This was appropriately addressed in Stein's film.

As a believer in God and an engineering student with a B.S. in Math, I have sought to "bend" what I have read in religious texts to fit what I have learned in science classes. I imagine others have done the same. Perhaps it is time that we allow scientists to more closely scrutinize the commandments of Darwin and see if they might evolve into a form that does not so aggressively conflict with the teachings of faith.

I thought that Stein was fair in allowing both sides a chance to comment on the problem. Some sensationalism is necessary to provide a basis for entertainment, but this was not overdone. Those who have been reliant on evolution as their philosophical salve will no doubt consider [u]Expelled[/u] propaganda. This is correct, but it should not unnerve conscientious critics. The [b]only[/b] opinion that Stein wants his audience to adopt is that [b]academia[/b] should allow a rigorous examination of evolution and let the possibility that our existence began with intent be considered. I was persuaded.