>L. Brent Bozell III has a good review of Ben Stein’s movie Expelled. He concludes his review by saying:
Everyone should take the opportunity to see “Expelled” — if nothing else, as a bracing antidote to the atheism-friendly culture of PC liberalism. But it’s far more than that. It’s a spotlight on the arrogance of this movement and its leaders, a spotlight on the choking intolerance of academia, and a spotlight on the ignorance of so many who say so much, yet know so very little.
I have not seen the movie yet, but this review has encouraged me to see it before it comes to DVD.
On Ben Stein’s Movie: read Richard Dawkins and the Intelligent Designer
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Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament 
>A group of faculty and students from Northern Seminary went to see this movie Sunday evening. I recommend seeing it, not because I thought it was a particularly compelling or well-made movie, but because I think it is a significant discussion. Ben Stein gives a good example of how not to bring more light than heat to the topic.I think Ben Stein’s biggest failure is a lack of integrity in how he made his film. There is good evidence that he interviewed the evolutionary scientists in the film under false pretenses. If you plan to see the movie, I recommend checking out the following sites:http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,2394,Lying-for-Jesus,Richard-Dawkinshttp://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=six-things-ben-stein-doesnt-want-you-to-knowhttp://www.antievolution.org/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=14;t=5152;st=600#entry101115These sites may themselves not be dispassionate representations of objective truth, but taken together, I think they make the case that Stein was more than disingenuous when he filmed Expelled.And this is what sticks in my craw, theistic creationist that I am — the best theologians and scientists stand on the edges of mysteries that they cannot begin to comprehend and marvel at the beauty of what is. Yes, I am troubled that Intelligent Design theorists are not getting a fair hearing in the high-finance world of grant-funded academe. (Troubled, but not shocked.) I wish I found evidence of better theology, better science, and greater humility before the wonders of creation than I find in Expelled. I believe there is indeed Intelligent Design, but not in this movie.
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>Blake,Thank you for your comment. Since Blogger has not posted the comment yet, I will wait a little longer to respond to what you wrote.Claude Mariottini
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>Blake,I had heard that the scientists like Dawkins appeared in the movie because they were paid. Maybe he did not know the premise of the movie but when money is involved, people may do strange things.It is unfortunate that Ben Stein used false pretenses to produce the movie. However, the premise of the movie is that opposing voices are made to be silent because many of those who promote evolution do not believe in God and cannot accept that there is another possibility for the origin of life and the creation of the universe.Thank you for your comment.Claude Mariottini
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>just saw Expelled; Ben Stein’s goal in making this flick (i gather) was not to win any popularity contests (this by itself helps to validate his message)… his goal was to promote free thought, especially more thinking about motivations that drive American academia and a lot of other behind-the-scenes worldview that we tend to take for granted.
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>Patrick,Thank you for your comment. I have not yet seen the movie but from what I have read, I think your evaluation of Expelled is precisely what Ben Stein was trying to accomplish.Some people in academia are very close minded and they do not like to hear any idea that contradicts their ideological biases.Claude Mariottini
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>Just to harp on my observations one more time: I agree that Stein wants to encourage freedom of inquiry, particularly in higher education, particularly in areas that touch on religious worldviews. I think he significantly undercuts his message, though, by stooping to the level of those he accuses. But do see the movie and judge for yourself — it is a significant topic, and it would be wonderful to have more people engaged with it.
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