Tale of Two Creation Films Denied First Amendment Rights on Darwin's Anniversary

ChristianNewsWire ^ | November 25, 2009

[GodGunsGuts]

HUNTSVILLE, AL, Nov. 25 Christian Newswire -- Two creation films called "inappropriate" were denied the opportunity to be shown in government facilities this week--which marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species". While the intelligent design film "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record" has not been granted permission for a showing in California, "The Mysterious Islands", a new 90-minute Vision Forum film that challenges Darwin's evolution by taking audiences back to engage the enchanted Galapagos Islands, has enjoyed a victory and will premiere as previously scheduled tonight, Nov. 25, at 6:30 PM, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

"We want to commend the U.S. Space and Rocket Center ("USSRC") for allowing equal access to its facilities for a private screening of 'The Mysterious Islands' this week," said a jubilant Doug Phillips, executive producer of "The Mysterious Islands". Phillips and his crew--his son Joshua Phillips, Dr. John Morris of the Institute for Creation Research and Jon and Andy Erwin, the award-winning production duo who shot and produced the documentary--have been traveling the country screening the film since its release on Nov. 12, with key members making the trip on the "Galapagos Ark" Tour Bus.

"Knowing that the USSRC was a government facility, we contacted attorneys at the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) for assistance," Phillips continued about legal action that led to the victory. In a letter dated Nov. 23, 2009, Daniel Blomberg, ADF litigation counsel, informed the USSRC executives that their "refusal is in direct violation of Vision Forum's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights," and he highlighted the fact that the USSRC had shown two pro-evolutionary films, "The Magic of Flight" and "Blue Planet", at their facility. The USSRC responded to ADF's letter within hours of receiving it and is now cordially allowing access for a screening of "The Mysterious Islands". Though the film is premiering with short notice in Huntsville, hundreds have already registered to attend at: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2mzzpjzfd3e5dcc

"The Mysterious Islands" documents Phillips as he leads a team of Christian scientists and investigators to the Galapagos Islands to engage with the amazing creatures Darwin chronicled during his storied trip to this island chain aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835. Seen through the eyes of 16-year-old Joshua Phillips, who joins his father and noted researchers like Dr. John Morris, "The Mysterious Islands" is the story of one boy's search for answers to a great controversy of the modern world. The fast-paced adventure combines cinematically breathtaking footage with high adventure in its quest is to determine whether the Galapagos Islands are a laboratory for evolution, as Darwinists claim, or a showcase for the biblical account of creation.

Along the way, "The Mysterious Islands" examines intriguing questions that Darwin failed to answer, or that he just got wrong: Why do the animals on these islands appear to have little fear of man? Why have some of the creatures of the Galapagos developed such unusual characteristics--are these phenomena evidences of evolution or something else? Does natural selection produce new kinds of animals, or just variations within the same kinds?

Meanwhile, the fate of the other film "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record" hangs in the balance. The California Science Center (CSC) has not yet reversed its decision to allow a showing at the museum's IMAX Theater. 

[GodGunsGuts]

For the record, this post is being posted in News/Activism by the express permission of Jim Robinson, founder and owner of Free Republic:

“Debate on church doctrine and or threads on specific religious matters may be best posted in the religion forum, but the defense of religious freedom, especially against those who wish to deprive us of same belongs front and center on FR.

They banned God and prayer and creationism from public schools and public places, but I’ll be damned if they’re gonna ban Him or it from FR!”

—Jim Robinson

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2203455/posts?page=78#78

[GodGunsGuts]

Surprisingly, I didn't know about the movie "Mysterious Islands" until today. That marks three professionally produced movies exposing Darwin's unscientific creation myth just in time for the 150th anniversary of the Origin of Species. God only knows how many more are out there. Very encouraging to say the least!

Hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving!

All the best--GGG

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

Will the Mysterious Islands be in movie theaters or on the old TV?

[GodGunsGuts]

I doubt it will make it into anything but independent theaters, individually rented theaters, churches, university theaters, etc. The big sales will come from selling the DVD. What I really appreciate is that these movies are getting better and better, rivaling any National Geographic/Discovery film IMHO.

Here’s another awesome movie that just came out. I purchased it not too long ago, and was amazed at how far creationist movies have come:

http://www.thevoyage.tv/

[editor-surveyor]

Bump!

[trumandogz]

HUNTSVILLE, AL, Nov. 25 Christian Newswire -- Two creation films called "inappropriate" were denied the opportunity to be shown in government facilities this week--which marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species". While the intelligent design film "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record" has not been granted permission for a showing in California, "The Mysterious Islands", a new 90-minute Vision Forum film that challenges Darwin's evolution by taking audiences back to engage the enchanted Galapagos Islands, has enjoyed a victory and will premiere as previously scheduled tonight, Nov. 25, at 6:30 PM, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

Interesting.

I was not aware that the First Amendment guaranteed the right of All films to be shown at government facilities and I thought that the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL was a government facility.

Nor was I aware that in order to show a film in the State of California, that one had attain permission from the government.

[LiteKeeper]

mega dittoes

[GodGunsGuts]

:o)

[metmom]

Two creation films called "inappropriate" were denied the opportunity to be shown in government facilities this week--which marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species".

"Inappropriate"?

Inappropriate for whom?

What's wrong? Nudity? Foul language? Violence?

Seems like a pretty vague excuse reason they gave.

Or are they now going to try to define *inappropriate*, just like they define *species*, *evolution*, *science*, and *religion*?

This could take years......

[UCANSEE2]

Religion is an impediment to Socialism.

So are our current laws.

[GodGunsGuts]

Thank you for your interest. You can find out more about current evo-censorship of Creation/ID films, and the resulting lawsuits (which will hopefully multiply, if need be), here:

http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/11/california_science_center_sued.html

and here:

http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/11/discrimination_against_intelli.html

[donmeaker]

Darwin didn’t write on creation, and didn’t provide a creation myth. He did explain what otherwise requires a combination of special creation and special delivery...

Why were kangaroos found only in Austrailia, and nowhere else?

[GodGunsGuts]

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!

[tacticalogic]

I was not aware that the First Amendment guaranteed the right of All films to be shown at government facilities and I thought that the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL was a government facility.

Apparently the rockets are being denied their religoius freedom.

[donmeaker]

“rivaling any National Geographic/Discovery film IMHO”

Except for the Science part...

[donmeaker]

How about “error.”

[GodGunsGuts]

I seem to recall answer this question for you way back when, no? And yes, Darwin's Origins most certainly is a creation myth devoid of macroevolutionary data. All he discovered was minor variations within species/kinds. The rest of his so-called "theory" is nothing more than a "long argument" for evolution on a grand scale (as Darwin admitted, but that his modern day followers refuse to acknowledge).

[org.whodat]

Much better and more intelligent: And not required to attend are not attend:

http://www.movies.com/movie-trailers/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-2-1311352283/

[org.whodat]

http://www.movies.com/movie-trailers/alvin-and-the-chipmunks-2-1311352283/

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thanks for that link - will definitely check it out!

Evolution (macro-evolution) = a bigger “science” fraud than climategate - and much more damaging in its results.

But BOTH frauds must be fully exposed and debunked = so thank you for all your posts and for those who are working hard to do just that.,,,God bless these efforts!