What are Creationists Afraid Of?

[nhboy (Premo)]

"There is a rich, deep kind of irony that must be shared. I'm blogging this from the Apple store in the Mall of America, because I'm too amused to want to wait until I get back to my hotel room.

I went to attend a screening of the creationist propaganda movie, Expelled, a few minutes ago. Well, I tried ... but I was Expelled! It was kind of weird -- I was standing in line, hadn't even gotten to the point where I had to sign in and show ID, and a policeman pulled me out of line and told me I could not go in. I asked why, of course, and he said that a producer of the film had specifically instructed him that I was not to be allowed to attend. The officer also told me that if I tried to go in, I would be arrested. I assured him that I wasn't going to cause any trouble.

I went back to my family and talked with them for a while, and then the officer came back with a theater manager, and I was told that not only wasn't I allowed in, but I had to leave the premises immediately. Like right that instant.

I complied."

Talk Reason: arguments against creationism, intelligent design, and religious apologetics

[morningbell]

Originally Posted by nhboy

"There is a rich, deep kind of irony that must be shared. I'm blogging this from the Apple store in the Mall of America, because I'm too amused to want to wait until I get back to my hotel room.

I went to attend a screening of the creationist propaganda movie, Expelled, a few minutes ago. Well, I tried ... but I was Expelled! It was kind of weird -- I was standing in line, hadn't even gotten to the point where I had to sign in and show ID, and a policeman pulled me out of line and told me I could not go in. I asked why, of course, and he said that a producer of the film had specifically instructed him that I was not to be allowed to attend. The officer also told me that if I tried to go in, I would be arrested. I assured him that I wasn't going to cause any trouble.

I went back to my family and talked with them for a while, and then the officer came back with a theater manager, and I was told that not only wasn't I allowed in, but I had to leave the premises immediately. Like right that instant.

I complied."

Talk Reason: arguments against creationism, intelligent design, and religious apologetics

did they think YOU were Richard Dawkins?

[Homer J]

Originally Posted by morningbell

did they think YOU were Richard Dawkins?

The guy from Family Feud?

[morningbell]

Originally Posted by Homer J

The guy from Family Feud?

that would be Richard DAWSON

[toppick08 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Homer J

The guy from Family Feud?

[Dondi]

I dunno. If one were trying to promote a movie on creationism, I would have thought that they would welcome those who do not believe. After all, isn't the whole purpose to sway unbelievers to that view?

The only thing I could think of is that they fear that Dawkins would be making offhand comments in the theater while the film was showing, causing a disruption. But as radical as Dawkins is in his views, I think he would have just quietly sat there and watched along with the rest of the group. I saw a documentary of him when he visited the New Life Church in Colorado Springs sat through the service just observing. Then afterwards he interviewed the now-defunct Ted Haggard (before his downfall) and I thought Dawkins asked some sensible questions. But then they showed Dawkins later getting kicked off the premises by Haggard himself. I guess Dawkins overstayed his welcome or something.

To be "expelled" from this movie only hurts the creationist cause. Surely, Dawkins will be writing a lambasting article on the film, if he ever gets around to watching it.

Come to think about it, was it legal to keep Dawkins out of the theater? They didn't seem to have much of a cause other than they know this man to have an opposing view of creationism. But that doesn't appear to be a legitimate reason for banning him. If it were a public forum, I would think he would have the grounds to sue against discrimination.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dondi

I dunno. If one were trying to promote a movie on creationism, I would have thought that they would welcome those who do not believe. After all, isn't the whole purpose to sway unbelievers to that view?

The only thing I could think of is that they fear that Dawkins would be making offhand comments in the theater while the film was showing, causing a disruption. But as radical as Dawkins is in his views, I think he would have just quietly sat there and watched along with the rest of the group. I saw a documentary of him when he visited the New Life Church in Colorado Springs sat through the service just observing. Then afterwards he interviewed the now-defunct Ted Haggard (before his downfall) and I thought Dawkins asked some sensible questions. But then they showed Dawkins later getting kicked off the premises by Haggard himself. I guess Dawkins overstayed his welcome or something.

To be "expelled" from this movie only hurts the creationist cause. Surely, Dawkins will be writing a lambasting article on the film, if he ever gets around to watching it.

Come to think about it, was it legal to keep Dawkins out of the theater? They didn't seem to have much of a cause other than they know this man to have an opposing view of creationism. But that doesn't appear to be a legitimate reason for banning him. If it were a public forum, I would think he would have the grounds to sue against discrimination.

You need to read. Dawkins was in the theater; it was Myers who was excluded. A private business that receives no public funding can refuse service to anyone.

[Xopher]

Originally Posted by nhboy

"There is a rich, deep kind of irony that must be shared. I'm blogging this from the Apple store in the Mall of America, because I'm too amused to want to wait until I get back to my hotel room.

I went to attend a screening of the creationist propaganda movie, Expelled, a few minutes ago. Well, I tried ... but I was Expelled! It was kind of weird -- I was standing in line, hadn't even gotten to the point where I had to sign in and show ID, and a policeman pulled me out of line and told me I could not go in. I asked why, of course, and he said that a producer of the film had specifically instructed him that I was not to be allowed to attend. The officer also told me that if I tried to go in, I would be arrested. I assured him that I wasn't going to cause any trouble.

I went back to my family and talked with them for a while, and then the officer came back with a theater manager, and I was told that not only wasn't I allowed in, but I had to leave the premises immediately. Like right that instant.

I complied."

Talk Reason: arguments against creationism, intelligent design, and religious apologetics

For those interested in what the 'other side' has to say, check out Expelled Exposed


After years of studying the creationism/Evolution controversy, I think the creationist establishment has plenty to hide - if they want to stay in business, and censorship is one of their most powerful tools toward accomplishing this. Case in point: Kent Hovind, the founder of the Creation Science Evangelism Ministry.