Economist, writer and actor Ben Stein is in Jefferson City promoting his new film "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" and lending support to legislators promoting Intelligent Design in the classroom.
In a rare treat for a small audience gathered in the Rotunda of the State Capitol, a sneak peak was given to the movie scheduled for release in two weeks.
Actor Ben Stein introduced the film himself, "We started to make this movie for the same reason that you’re called the Show Me State. We were skeptical; we were skeptical about Darwinism."
The film is a lively documentary that breaks up serious interviews with snippets of black and white films, often using visual hyperbole to make a point. Several scientists who have lost jobs, tenure at universities or their positions for promoting, or sometimes even giving respect to, Intelligent Design are interviewed. It also explores the seemingly strained relationship between science and religion. A section examines the impact of evolution on the scientists in Nazi Germany who devised the Final Solution.
Stein defended the production against criticism from atheists featured in it who claimed they were duped into participating in a movie called Crossroads, not Expelled. Stein insisted the film producers were very upfront about the production and sometimes paid handsomely for many to appear in the movie.
"Most important of all," Stein told the audience, "We have made a movie that challenges their worldview down to its core. And if the most they can come up with is that we didn’t tell them the name of the movie as it was finally used in the release, we’re doing pretty well."
The movie opens April 18th.
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