Posted on 10/16/2009 6:11:15 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's landmark book on evolution approaches, a brouhaha has erupted in Los Angeles County over a planned series of events exploring the conflict between his theories and "intelligent design" advocates.
A group that favors "intelligent design" had planned to premier a new documentary film at the California Science Center in Los Angeles later this month, but the center later canceled the event.
The group claims the cancellation was an act of censorship, made after the center was pressured by the Smithsonian Institution, but the center chalked it up to a contract issue, without elaborating.
Coined "The Darwin Debates: A Forum for Dialogue," the nonprofit American Freedom Alliance had planned to premier a new Illustra Media documentary, "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Explosion," at the California Science Center on Oct. 25.
The Los Angeles-based alliance describes itself as a "nonpolitical, nonpartisan, movement of concerned Americans which identifies threats to western civilization." Those threats, according to the group include "the Islamic penetration of Europe" and "the growth of radical environmentalism."
California Science Center president Jeff Rudolph said Thursday the premiere was canceled "because of issues related to the contract." Rudolph declined to elaborate on those issues.
"We don't discuss contract issues in public," Rudolph said.
Alliance president Avi Davis said the cancellation had nothing to do with contract issues, but rather a press release touting the film issued a few days ago by the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based "intelligent design" think tank.
The institute's release announced that some of its fellows were featured in the film to be screened at a location they described as the "Smithsonian Institution's west coast affiliate."
John West, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, said he understands officials at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History pressured the CSC to cancel the film.
"I think this is an outrageous example of censorship and ideological discrimination," West said. "The thing about a contractual dispute is just a pretext and it's bogus. This really should be disturbing to anyone who believes in free speech."
But Smithsonian spokesman Randal Kremer denied that his organization pressured the CSC to cancel the film.
"It's nothing we would get involved in," Kremer said.
However, Kremer said he saw the press release a few days ago and was concerned by its reference to the Smithsonian. He pointed out the CSC is just one of more than 160 Smithsonian affiliates nationwide, adding the CSC is not a branch of the Smithsonian, but "they work with us occasionally on their programs."
"The only reason I spoke with anyone at the California Science Center is I was concerned by the inference (in the press release that) there was a showing of the film at a Smithsonian branch, which is how the California Science Center was portrayed in the news release," Kremer said. "Of course, that is not the case. They are independent and any decisions they make on this are on their own."
As a result of the dust-up, Davis said he's considering showing the film at another venue. But he said the rest of the events are scheduled to go forward as planned.
Those include a debate on Nov. 30 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills between Discovery Institute official Stephen Meyer and Biologic Institute investigator Richard Sternberg and The Skeptics Society President Michael Shermer and paleontologist Don Prothero.
Darwin's book "On the Origin of Species," a foundation of the scientific theory of evolution, was first published in November 1859.
"Intelligent design" is a more modern, controversial theory that proposes to add a role for religion in evolution by attributing diversity in nature to divine causes.
Viewpoint-based descrimination against non-leftists has now been approved by the MAN himself, don’t ya know.
As “intelligent design” is not science, the cancellation of a film on that subject at the California Science Center seems quite rational.
The audience naturally selected it for oblivion.
Debating “intelligent design” vs. TTOE is like debating astrology vs astronomy.
It isn’t an alternate theory by any definition, it is just bootstrapping religion as a substitute for science.
They wouldn’t even show the film on my theory that man was created from the belly button lint of a giant universal couch potato. Some Science Center!
Apparently they thought it legit science to begin with, then cancelled later using the contract excuse.
California Science Center president Jeff Rudolph said Thursday the premiere was canceled "because of issues related to the contract." Rudolph declined to elaborate on those issues.
Maybe, but you may soon be surprised how many freepers are feeling a giddy tingling up their leg over “this sort” of censorship.
That’s outrageous!
correction, you obviously WILL.
“Apparently they thought it legit science to begin with...”
I seriously doubt that that was the reason for booking the film. ID is a Trojan horse for teaching creation rationalization in public schools.
what science?
that nothing became something?
that apes evolved from man?
From alliance web site:
“Non Profit Status
American Freedom Alliance is incorporated in the State of California as a nonprofit public benefit corporation. It is a non profit organization under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to AFA are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Code. EID 68-0643445”
You conflate abiogenesis and TToE. One has nothing to do with the other.
You also ask a philosophical realm question in a science realm. They are quite different.
Demanding that science be presented as science is not “censorship.”
Or do you suggest the State has an obligation to present astrology as an alternative to astronomy?
When I began college (Sept.1953), “Darwin’s Theory” was the trojan horse for teaching evolution in the public schools in and the colleges.
In Geology, the first chapter began with the showing, how the order of the creation of life agreed with the order of evolution, as given in the Bible. Or, how evolution agreed with the Bible as presented in Genesis, the book of beginnings.
Truth in religion and truth in science will always be in harmony, there is no conflict when truth is persued!
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” (1 Timothy 6:20)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11”1)
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God); for he that cometh to God must believe that He (God) is and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that dilgently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Depends on the thread, and the setting. ;-D
Cheers!
Darwinist: “Na na na na na I can’t HEEE...EAR YOU!” A really courageous lot. If truth was on the side of evos, they’d welcome ridiculing the “uninformed” opposition. Bob
>>A really courageous lot. If truth was on the side of evos, they’d welcome ridiculing the “uninformed” opposition. Bob<<
We are not speaking the same language. It isn’t a question of denying the “argument.” It is the4 argument is 100% out of the realm of science.
Or can I go challenge astronomers to “debate” astrology?
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