Posted on 11/25/2009 7:56:35 PM PST by 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.
They are organized as a nonprofit scientific organization. You don't know if they get any tax payer funds do you?
==They are organized as a nonprofit scientific organization. You don’t know if they get any tax payer funds do you?
According to my sources, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center was the brainchild of a creation scientist, Dr. Werner von Braun, and is also listed as NASA’s “first visitor center.” The land was provided by the US Govornment, and the construction was paid for by Alabama taxpayers. And given the nature of these types of institutions, I am quite confident that the USSRC continues to be subsidized to one extent or another by both US and Alabama taxpayers.
Then it should be easy for you to explain why we find no trilobites above the Permian strata, and why we find no dinosaurs above the cretaceous strata, or no mammals in the Cambrian strata?
When I see complaints about films, etc., being rejected, I always ask, do they have the right to reject a proposal by scientologists? If so, then it’s ok. If you’re arguing that creationism should be shown, but would object to Buddhism or scientology being shown, then one’s argument falls flat. Where do you stand on Scientology/Buddhism/Native American positions also having eqaul access to the facilities in question?
Oh, and everyone have a GREAT Thanksgiving.
Thank you for sharing your insights and testimony, dear brother in Christ!
Ping me if you get an answer to that question - or one that makes some sense anyway. I keep hearing about all the great scientific work being done by creationists but all I ever see are ill-informed or mendacious commentaries on what real scientists are doing. Cheers.
Just like when I post the 14 points all I get is misdirection and avoidance but no answers.
But when the science does not support you “hypothesis” that is all that you have
Are you saying what Tennessee was doing was unconstitutional? Are you saying that there is a "separation of Church and State" in the Constitution? You don't think that Evo's are a big part of the ACLU? I really want to hear you answer on all 3 of these questions, you cannot be that naive.
I’m saying the constant refrain of “Well, they started it!” rings hollow.
Fine, I'm not saying either "we started it" or "they started it;" I'm saying states have the rights in teaching children and the SCOTUS had no right to obstruct teaching in the way they did. Though I do disagree with the Butler act; states still have rights, agreed?
States do have rights. In the case of the Butler Act, the question is whether specifying that only the literal account of Creation according to the Book of Genesis can be taught amounts to an official "establishment of religion", and whether that applies to the States under the incorportation clause of the 14th Amendment.
So you’re a believer in the "separation of Church and State," even though it is not in the Constitution?
I'm a believer in honest debate tactics. "Establishment of religion" is in the Constitution.
When not attacking the scientific messenger the tactic taken by Less (GodlessGunlessGunless and his ilk) is to post or quote from an article that disassembles a legitimate scientific paper with the following methodology:
- Cite a phrase or nugget out of context,
- Follow it with a disingenuous summarization preceded by "the data suggest" or "the evidence hints"
- Further mischaracterize the original cited nugget with a classical "if" statement
- Conclude that the article actually supports YEC by a nonsequitur "then" conclusion.
Fantastic; the you should have no problem with government schools including the pro and con about Evolution, correct?
As long as the "pro and con" are based on objective, scientifically supportable arguments, that is correct.
Do you have a problem with the Hindu, Mayan, Inca, Aztec, Druid, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Pagan, and Animist versions of creation being taught as well and being given equal merit with science and the Judeo-Christian version?
Not at all, let all religions stand on there own in the debate. Do you agree with this?
Not at all, let all religions stand on there own in the debate. Do you agree with this?
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