Evolution controversy, now a film, coming to Tally
He’s written presidential speeches, is an expert in economics and has hosted his own game show --- pitting his own genius against others and usually winning.
Now Ben Stein is neck deep in the evolution debate --- defending creationism and adding a little oomph and glamour to the battle in the Florida Legislature.
State lawmakers and their staff on Wednesday will get a private screening of Stein’s new full-length motion picture documentary, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,” which opens nationwide on April 18. It focuses on scientists and educators around the globe who have been ostracized or denied tenure because of their belief in “intelligent design.”
Stein believes creationism deserves fair play in schools.
A bill (HB 1564) pending in this year’s Legislature would protect public school teachers who wish to teach evidence that is critical of evolution. Stein will appear at a press conference with the sponsors, parents and school teachers on Wednesday morning at the Capitol.
Last November, Stein told CNN that evolution and Darwin's theory of natural selection do not explain a lot about life.
“Darwin said nothing about how life originated and Darwin had no idea how complicated the cell was,” he said. “Darwin was never able to point to any clear evidence of any species that originated by evolution and there hasn`t been much progress in Darwinism since then. But we found that if you even question the established church of Darwinism, bang, you`re gone.”
---Linda Kleindienst, Tallahassee bureau chief
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Comments
Evolution explains the changes to an existing species that can take place over a period of time. It does not explain the origin of the species in question.
Posted by: John J | March 10, 2008 4:46 PM
Which species? Humans or politicians?
Posted by: peter | March 10, 2008 9:20 PM
Anytime we can have a sensible debate on these kinds of issues, we all prosper. I am a man of deep religious convictions, however, I accept that both views have a part to play. The tendency of the extremist from both parties that pit God v. science are distorting the argument and missing the point.
Posted by: Ant the Rant | March 11, 2008 9:23 AM
Evolution teaches us how living beings adapt to their surrounding to survive. It teaches us plenty about the history of certain species, including our own.
Now, to the question of what caused life to originate, well, nobody knows. To follow what some ancient humans thought of how how life was created is, plainly put, stupid. If we, as modern humans don't know what created life, how could an ancient human, who knew nothing of science or even didn't know why the sun rose and set everyday, possibly have the answer of all answers? Ben Stein, you are naive. I thought he was smarter than that.
Posted by: nb23 | March 11, 2008 1:02 PM
I would urge all to go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy and learn about the Wedge Strategy and The Discovery Institute. These bills are drafted by the DI, and they are using the evangelicals to further their agenda. A quick search on Wikipedia for the Florida representatives that proposed the bills (Rhonda Storms and Alan Hays) will also prove enlightening. For solid information on the science side, go to: http://www.flascience.org/wp/
AND... tell everyone you know!
Posted by: grafixer | March 11, 2008 1:10 PM
I would urge all to go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy and learn about the Wedge Strategy and The Discovery Institute. These bills are drafted by the DI, and they are using the evangelicals to further their agenda. A quick search on Wikipedia for the Florida representatives that proposed the bills (Rhonda Storms and Alan Hays) will also prove enlightening. For solid information on the science side, go to: http://www.flascience.org/wp/
AND... tell everyone you know!
Posted by: grafixer | March 11, 2008 1:12 PM
How about Archaeopteryx?? Look it up.
It is a glowing example of the "transitional forms" that Creationists claim do not exist.
I like Ben Stein, but he is way off on this one.
Posted by: shecky | March 11, 2008 2:23 PM
If evolution is true, why do we try to put beached whales back into the water? Eventually they would develop legs and learn to talk to us, right.
Posted by: Gary Zedonek | March 11, 2008 4:09 PM