I love to learn. I have an almost insatiable appetite for knowledge and information. I rarely go anywhere without a book in tow. As I child, much to my athletic sister's chagrin, I loved school and always did my homework. You know the type.(I can't help but wonder if she got her master's degree before I did just to spite me!).
Our country was built on the freedom of speech. You have the freedom to say what you think, even if people disagree with you. Our current presidential race only underscores this basic tenet of life in America. This right to speak freely, to ask questions, to dissent, to follow the evidence where it leads and to think outside of the box leads to incredible discoveries and opportunities.
Tragically, the institution founded upon free inquiry ain't so free thinking anymore. I'm talking about the American university system.
Last night, had the priviledge of attending a public gathering at Biola university to hear Ben Stein (Bueller...Bueller) talk about his upcoming documentary film, "Expelled." Stein was joined on the stage along with two of the scientists featured in the film, Dr. Caroline Crocker and Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez. Both of these noted experts were kicked out of school for daring to think outside the box and question the prevailing orthodoxy of Darwinism.
I was stunned as Dr. Crocker described what happened to her in the aftermath of her expulsion from George Mason University. A lawyer from a major D.C. law firm offered to represent her, only to later be fired from the firm shortly after the firm received a lucrative contract from George Mason. Unbelievable.
I, for one, can't wait to see this film. I hope it will underscore the importance of academic freedom and the right to ask questions, the right to think, to dissent, to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
9 comments:
I am intrigued by the topic of this documentary, and I can't wait to see it either. If anyone want to see the trailer, just look on YouTube. It's there!
I'll definitely look for this on YouTube. Oh yeah, with our PC culture, the whole idea of free speech is almost a joke. First Amendment you say? What's that when you discuss Darwinism??
I love to learn too. Always have. This doc sounds good...and I always loved Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
You may want to ask yourself why the Intelligent Design movement has devolved into a PR enterprise. It's not like they have fistfulls of rejection slips from the relevant journals. They don't even try.
Here's another take on Crocker's martyrdom
Wow, that's crazy. Were they science majors? Because even then, I thought people were supposed to be able to say and think what they wanted.
Yes J, these weren't just science majors, but experts in their fields. Dr. Gonzalez had be reconized for his work in discovering new planets and Dr. Crocker did post doctoral work (at Oxford, I think).
Looking forward to seeing this as well. World Mag did a GREAT review of the film.
I thought it was a really well done documentary.
Same thing goes for the Global Warming stuff. If you're a meteorologist who doesn't subscribe to the man-made global warming dogma that's all the rage these days, you'll find yourself in hot water.
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