Atheist, Darwinist, and Christian websites are abuzz about the British bio pic of Charles Darwin, because it seems that the British producer is having trouble finding an American distributor to pick it up.
What amuses me is the amazement of Darwinists who can’t wrap their minds around the fact that only 39% of Americans believe in evolution as an explanation of origins. While they chock it up to religious American fervor and their superior intellect, they overlook the fact that there may be good reasons to BE skeptical of evolution – but they can not be truly skeptical because it is part of their metaphysical world view, which even they are too scared to seriously examine. I mean, if evolution is NOT true, they are left with either God or some other undiscovered process. We couldn’t have that.
I think this movie looks interesting. I would go see it. Here are some downloadable clips from the movie.
The failure of this film to find a distributor immediately is not surprising given the current economic conditions. I heard an interview with two film industry types on public radio where they were asked about it. Several independent films did not find distributors right away either, and those that did didn't bring as much cash as the last few years. Both men thought the "Creation" would eventually find a distributor.
Leave it to seeker to find in this story yet another way to bash science. Is there anything he cannot politicize?
>> LOUIS: Leave it to seeker to find in this story yet another way to bash science. Is there anything he cannot politicize?
Just providing cultural context and commentary. Science is good. Contemporary implementation of science has some serious flaws, not least of which is the *politicization of* science.
hi Daniel:
It is not the case that the huge number of people who disbelieve in evolution have learned enough science and examined the evidence for evolution and found it lacking. And it's not the case that the moneyed people who balked at financing a film ABOUT evolution did so because THEY learned enough science and carefully examined the evidence. The entire episode you describe is AN EXAMPLE of the politicalization of science, or maybe the money people just think the film will be boring.
your friend
Keith
The latter, from what I heard. The christianist right, in its colossal arrogant narcissism, apparently thinks Hollywood is on a deliberate campaign to attack its "values." On the contrary, Hollywood is on a campaign to create profits, especially in these times of corporate ownership. To large corporations (the real rulers of this country), controversy is toxic, and they seek to avoid it. "Creation" didn't sell, not because it's about Darwin (a man no-nothing religionists love to hate), because it was seen as a non-starter profitwise, a boring, niche film for pointy-headed elitists who like history and stories about real people experiencing real life. After the success of the religious snuff film, "The Passion of the Christ," Hollywood fell all over itself trying to tap into this market, not because they suddenly got religion, but because they wanted to tap into the profits. Simple.
btw: whenever seeker speaks of science we should read an invisible asterisk which reads, "I think science is good as long as it doesn't contradict my fundamentalist religious beliefs."
>> LOUIS: "I think science is good as long as it doesn't contradict my fundamentalist religious beliefs."
Talk about a 'know-nothing' attitude. Ad hominems are so much easier than engaging the facts.
In this case, they are facts, like it or not. Simply squealing "ad hominum" every time you encounter criticism is not a defense.
And speaking of politicization, here is a fascinating article which analyzes matters and expresses what I have been observing well. A sample:
Perhaps the single most profound change in our political culture over the last 30 years has been the transformation of conservatism from a political movement, with all the limitations, hedges and forbearances of politics, into a kind of fundamentalist religious movement, with the absolute certainty of religious belief.
I don't mean "religious belief" literally. This transformation is less a function of the alliance between Protestant evangelicals, their fellow travelers and the right (though that alliance has had its effect) than it is a function of a belief in one's own rightness so unshakable that it is not subject to political caveats. In short, what we have in America today is a political fundamentalism, with all the characteristics of religious fundamentalism and very few of the characteristics of politics.
Read the entire article.
btw: I have no problem with classical conservatism. In some ways, I agree with parts of it. But what we are seeing now is something different, something far more fanatical and intolerant and scary. I wonder if it can be stopped.