New Darwin Film Blocked in USA

by Larry O'Hanlon | September 17, 2009

I'm a sucker for a good historical drama. And here's one about one of my all-time heroes that is coming to screens everywhere -- except in the U.S.A., that is.

The film Creation is about Charles Darwin and his discovery of biological evolution by means of natural selection. It's also about his dear wife Emma, who was deeply religious and concerned about the implications of her husband's theory. From what little I see in the trailer, it looks historically accurate (and I know more than a little about this, having read and studied a great deal about Charles Darwin over the last three decades).

From what I've just read in this article (which includes the movie trailer), America's religious fundamentalists are using intimidation to keep this perfectly benign movie from Americans. If this is true (I'll be checking on this), then I find it a bit ironic, since it was just last year that the religious right foisted on us a deeply dishonest feature length anti-science film (I'll not give it the honor of naming it here). ...

This situation -- along with the rabid hate & fear mongering that's taken over our political process of late -- makes me very concerned about what appears to be the rapid deterioration of American civil society. And I have an urgent message to all you reasonable and peace-loving folks out there: The extremists are in the process of taking over. It's high time we all started fighting back (and that means you too, Mr. President).

History has shown us over and over that when reasonable folks don't act they wake up one morning to discover that they must take flight from the Taliban, Nazis, Bolsheviks or the Red Guard -- basically any group willing to break any rule and commit any atrocity in the pursuit of domination.

It can happen in America too. We are not immune. Extreme fundamentalist "Christians" (I resent having to call such hate-filled people followers of The Prince of Peace) have shown a willingness to do just about anything to put down what they consider "satanic" ideas -- including those ideas they believe are crowded into the U.S. Constitution. They utterly demonize Darwin, despite knowing virtually nothing factual about him and despite the fact that his theory did not replace God for the majority of religious people around the world.

But here's what the fundamentalist leaders don't tell their flocks when they are indoctrinating them with their despicable lies about Darwin: The real reason they hate Darwin has nothing to do with evolution. It's much simpler than that. Fundamentalist leaders know that to understand Darwin's theory requires learning how to think critically. Fundamentalism shrivels under the heat of that sort of honest and open inquiry. So in order to maintain power, the flocks must remain ignorant, hateful and obedient. Films like Creation must be kept out.

UPDATE: I am so far unable to confirm the matter covered in the Telegraph story to which I have linked in this post. I'm still trying. If anyone out there has more info on this, please let me know by posting it in the comments area.

Also, some folks have misread this post as somehow being anti-Christian. It is absolutely not. It is certainly anti-fundamentalist, however. I'll not deny that. I personally think that the teachings of Jesus Christ have never been more vital to the survival of civilization as they are right now. All the more reason I take issue with the fundamentalists who ignore and/or pervert those teachings.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This post is my personal and professional opinion and does not represent any position on this issue by Discovery Communications, Inc.

Image: Telegraph.co.uk/tv

Comments

[Robert Day]

Although I believe in creation over evolution, I have to agree with you. Films such as these should not be censored and left for people in America to choose. However, people who do decide one way or another should respect the opposite viewpoint. I am not saying you can't have a civil debate, just respect the thoughts of others.

[Marshall]

So did you check up on those "facts" about religious leaders using intimidation to block the movie, then? Shouldn't get all your facts before you write a hate article? Don't use a few Christians bad choices to stereotype us all. Personally, to prove you wrong, I don't care if this movie comes out, and no one really should. Its just a movie. Just like the Passion (I assume that was what you were talking about when you were ragging on the movie that you conveniently didn't name) Christians have changed their view since Darwin's age, just like everyone has. Grow up

[Matthew]

I am a Christian and to call me hateful and ignorant is offensive. I do all I can for others and know how to Love as God wants. You speak of us being hateful, yet all you did was lash out at an entire faith in such a manor. and to say I am ignorant? I have a masters degree in English and Journalism. Im trained to be analytical and looks for facts. Get a grip. But, to stay true to what i stand on, I forgive you for your ignorant comments about my brothers and sisters. God Bless

[Nathan G]

Alright, this just makes me mad. Where can we go to protest the religious fundamentalists who are blocking this film? Who can we write to to make sure it gets shown in the US?

Let me know what I can do to help get this film into US theaters!

[Tanya]

@Marshall: The Passion of the Christ didn't come out just last year, so I don't think that's to what O'Hanlon is referring.

[Brandon]

You guys correct me if I'm wrong here, but no one is stopping you from seeing the movie. It has not been "banned" or "blocked" or any other emotionally rousing "B" word. The movie simply has not been picked up by distributors. Presumably because they feel they won't make money from it. I think this is a bit of an exaggeration. And to use the word "banned" or "blocked" is silly sensationalism and is misleading, at best.

[Larry O'Hanlon]

You are right about the facts Marshall. That's why I'm looking into them
now. I DID hedge by saying "if true" in the post, you know. But frankly,
even if it's all hype to get the film distributed, the fact that it works
tells us something about the culture war now underway that has been
initiated and continually stoked by anti-science fundamentalists.

As for you accusation that I'm hateful and anti-Christian, you are soooo
totally wrong on that count and need to read the post more carefully. I said
nothing against Christians. I was very specifically and explicitly referring
to religious fundamentalists, who I believe are very bad at following the
teachings of Jesus Christ. I personally consider these people
anti-Christian, even though they call themselves Christians (please re-read
my Prince of Peace comment, if you will). Many Christians are more
enlightened (I'd like to include myself among them). So for you to
characterize me as anti-Christian is pretty ridiculous. Take more care next
time.

On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 9:28 AM, wrote:

[Larry O'Hanlon]

Robert, you are my hero!

On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 9:24 AM, wrote:

[Kirsten]

Marshall - I believe the movie that wasn't mentioned was Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed by Ben Stein - the article said that it as released last year, which Expelled was (Passion was released in 2004). As anti-science as that movie was, to my knowledge (and a quick Google search), no one tried to ban it.

Matthew - he didn't call all Christians hateful and ignorant he specifically said "Extreme fundamentalist "Christians"". Same as how there's a difference between Muslims in general and Al-Qaeda.

[Larry O'Hanlon]

I'm a follower of the teachings of Christ too Matthew. You didn't read my
post very carefully. I explicitly addressed fundamentalists, not all
Christians. So there is no need for you to feel offended. Cheer up.

On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 9:46 AM, wrote:

[K.A.Lynne]

Christians can argue the point all they like, but until you stand up to the fundamentalist right and actively separate yourselves from them (by becoming as/more vocal than they are) you're going to continue to be associated with them and their ignorance. I know that most Christians aren't self-righteous evangelical fundamentalists, but they're the ones who won't shut up and allow the rest of us to live as we see fit. Do us all a favor and organize a LOUD group of less conservative, less fundamentalist Christians. There are more of you, you have the power to make a lot more noise than they do.

[Larry O'Hanlon]

Thanks Kirsten. That is exactly the film I am referring to. And I'm very
sorry if some Christians are offended, but it's like you said, I was very
specific about referring to fundamentalists, not all Christians. Sheesh you
guys, get a grip.

On another note, a scholarly friend of mine suggests that the film may not
be all that good for academic reasons (based on some other historical drama
by the same folks). I'm guessing, for example, that they whitewash or ignore
Darwin's typical 19th Century British racial views, which would be
considered pretty offensive by today's standards but had, I should add, no
bearing on his science.

On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 10:10 AM, wrote:

[Erik Bruhwiler]

Evolution is not a belief system. Do you believe that the sky is blue? Or do you realize that it is? Creationism is a belief system because it has no supporting evidence. Science is about understanding how the world works. Religion is about understanding what all of that means. They are not opposed to each other. Belief systems can be helpful, but if a person is stuck in a belief system, then she is not learning, and I believe that goes against God. To 'freeze' your knowledge and growing mind is to die. It is commiting suicide, which is a sin in the Christian belief system.

[Gary Lehman]

Fundamentalist equals =

1. Inerrancy of the Scriptures (II Tim 3:16)
2. The virgin birth and the deity of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14)
3. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement by God's grace and through human faith (Hebrews 9)
4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28)
5. The authenticity of Christ's miracles (or, alternatively, his pre-millennial second coming)

Delete a few of these and the person is not a "Christian." For the most part every true believer is a FUNDAMENTALIST.

[BSF]

Sometimes I have to wonder what the Good Lord must think, having given us intellect, curiosity and beautiful things to wonder about in our natural world, only to watch a large contingent of his followers ignore everything in the wide world in favor of some old dusty Book...

[Richard Fairfield]

What do you mean it's not gonna be broadcast, what country do they think we live in, this is the United states of America and it should be allowed no matte what it's about. I believe in God and all, but you have to believe in creation and evolution. You're all wrong and right at the same time when it comes to evolution and creation on this. planet

[Ben]

Ok, some of what's being said here makes sense. But do you really want to compare Christian fundamentalists to the SS? What makes you think they are "willing to commit any atrocity"? Please, take it easy with the scare tactics.

[Larry O'Hanlon]

Hey Jon. I totally and sincerely hope that you are correct and I am utterly
wrong. Sadly, however, the history of fundamentalism tells another,
extremely bloody story, and today's fundamentalists speak quite plainly on
this matter too. If you are not with them, you can only be an agent of
Satan, therefore no holds are barred. I'm genuinely anxious to learn what
makes you think modern fundamentalists are, or will be, any less ruthless
than they have been throughout history? Please tell me. I'm not kidding, I
really want to know.

On Sat, Sep 19, 2009 at 11:01 PM, wrote:

[J.L.Anderson]

I just read an article that Creation will be distributed in the US by Newmarket. I was wondering what scientific fact convinced you that evolution is true?

[Larry O'Hanlon]

Thanks for that update J.L. As for your question, there is no single fact.
There are innumerable facts. Without evolution, nothing that we see in
Nature makes any sense. Simple as that. Those who deny evolution generally
have very little understanding of it and mistakenly think it conflicts with
the existence of God. It does not. Never has. That's always been a red
herring. Very sad how long this misunderstanding has persisted in the US (as
opposed to most of the rest of the world).

On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:44 AM, wrote:

[Lorne Freedman]

"I personally think that the teachings of Jesus Christ have never been more vital to the survival of civilization as they are right now."

You can't mean all of them. Clearly, it is only some of his teachings that the world needs. The facts are that most of what the Desert Dogma has to offer leads to exactly what we have all over America, Africa, East Asia, and elsewhere: ignorant bigotry, abuse of human rights, and ratioanlized lying. _I_ believe that the world actually would benefit if we relegated G-d to the fantastical world of myths, and embraced science and rational thought. Peace.

[Liam O'Sruitheain]

This whole "debate" is absurd. We are "debating" two dogmatic ideas about our origins which, in our present state of collective consciousness, we cannot know with any ABSOLUTE certainty . . . one way or the other. There is nothing in the VARIOUS theories of evolution vs. the IDEA of an ORIGINAL Divine creative impulse that makes them mutually exclusive. Hasn't ANYONE had the depth of mind to consider that evolution itself may be part of a Divine plan?
Obviously, if someone interprets the book of Genesis in an absolutely LITERAL manner, they WILL have trouble with the idea of evolution. But, it is not unreasonable to imagine that the PROCESS of evolution BEGAN from an original Divine creative impulse.