What do you think of Richard Dawkins quote in the trailer for the movie Expelled, with Ben Stein?

Question

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Expelled is a movie starring Ben Stein about scientists who share scientific data that goes against the theory of evolution...

Such scientists that “speak up” (regardless of their religious affiliation, or lack there of) and share such data are getting fired, lose their tenure, are rejected for publication, and are ridiculed and ostracized for even sharing such observational data.

Here is the trailer for Expelled:
http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playground.php

And here is Richard Dawkins quote:
“As a scientist, I am pretty hostile to a rival doctrine”

“Science” is derived from the Latin word scientia, which means “knowledge”, and specifically refers to a system of developing explanations for what we observe in the world. When observations would suggest something that goes against our underlying assumptions, science is not hostile to such data and teaching, but always bends a knee to observational data, rejects explanations that don’t fit, and attempts to develop a new explanation based on observational data.

So, what has happened to science?

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Scyth - one scientist?
The very fact that a movie even exists shows that this is not me making some rash generalization based on Mr. Dawkin's foolish statement. I haven't seen the movie, of course - but when watching the trailer, there are many scientists quoted personally in the trailer that show this "hostility" has become prominent in the scientific community. And the fact that a whole movie has been made about this makes it less likely that this is just some "right-wing" fantasy. Even movies like "Sicko", which are sensationalist for the purposes of generating money have *some* truth, even if twisted and exaggerated.

And, it seems you show some hostility, yourself...for whatever reason (?).

Answer 1

What do you think of this quote from the Bible?

"There is no God." (Psalms 14:1)

Answer 2

First, Psalms 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

Now that is Psalms 14:1 and not what one of the answerers said.

The "Richard Dawkins" of this world will create with advanced biology the greatest assortment of monsters that this world has ever seen. These monsters were seen back in Noah's day but God destroyed the world because of their creation by the fallen angels. Today, we have the same evil penetrating society and Dawkins is right about one thing and that is that this evil is a "doctrine" and it is a false religion. Secular humanism and evolution have made every demonic attempt to push God out of America. The devil knows that a nation that forgets God is doomed.

The devil has an agenda and his plan is not good for America. May the Lord rebuke Richard Dawkins and all that he stands for.

Answer 3

I am very interested to see this movie. I would especially like to be given a detailed description of the data that is being presented, and how it was obtained. The response to new data should be a desire to get more! I am also wondering about the reasons that are given for firing, loss of tenure, etc., and what litigation has resulted, if any.

I think Ben Stein really sums it up well, though, at the end of his blog:

Maybe we would have a new theory: We are just pitiful humans. Life is unimaginably complex. We are still trying to figure it out. We need every bit of input we can get. Let’s be humble about what we know and what we don’t know, and maybe in time, some answers will come.

I also find it interesting the the *hostility* that is discussed in the movie has appeared right here, in response to, what I feel to be a very objectively worded question. It was based on an assumption of your perspective. I wonder if there are more atheists or believers on R&S with gold badges? There are probably TCs from all religions on there, would you agree?

Answer 4

Ben Stein's movie is entertainment and it is presented in a way to maximize the entertainment value. Its particularly ironic that he chose a quote by Richard Dawkins because Dawkins' own work actually helped advance rival doctrines.

Dawkins proposed some different views on mechanisms of natural selection, which is exactly the way science is supposed to work. Some of Dawkins' ideas have been disproved, while others have led to some interesting discoveries related to satellite DNA and molecular processes that affect evolution. So, all-in-all, Dawkins caused evolutionary theory to advance, partly because some of his ideas appear to be wrong and partly because some appear to be correct. In what other way is science supposed to work?

Answer 5

Yes, your religion and spirituality badge gives your game away and by extension, the slick producers of this lie of a movie.
Ask your creationist/ID buddies why they feel it is proper to do an end run around the scientific process and bring their propaganda to the general public. They have not one scintilla of evidence in support of their lunatic position. I am not impressed by slick production values, but by the evidence. Attacking someones theory, badly, while putting no evidence forward for your own theory is, basically, a liars game.

Then you play the " appeal to authority " game. If every scientist on earth rejected evolutionary theory tomorrow that would not detract one iota from the truth of evolutionary theory. Science is not a democracy where votes of the ignorant count. Dawkins is correct. Give us the evidence and save your money by not investing it in garbage films. I would have thought Dover would give you people pause on your delusion' guess I was wrong.

You would support the liars that would erect a theocracy in our country and are offended by what you perceive as hostility? Most disingenuous!