Ben Stein’s movie Expelled was released this weekend.  Mary and I went to see it on Friday evening.  In case you haven’t heard about it, Ben Stein means to sound the alarm that freedom is in grave danger in the good ole  US of A.  How?  Because complete freedom of thought is being systematically and thoroughly eradicated.  This movie shows numerous documentable cases in which college and university professors have been fired due to their favorable opinion of “intelligent design” as an explanation for the origin of  life and the universe. 

This is a documentary and as such is meant to be informative more than entertaining.  Expelled begins with Stein speaking to an auditorium of students and then cuts away to show his interviews with various heavyweights in academia and those who have been canned by them for their views.  The interviews are fascinating as Stein plays a Columbo-like role gently but tenaciously asking the powers that be to explain why teachers are being fired for views they hold.  It’s enlightening to watch the likes of Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) squirm as he tries to explain how he lives with no meaning or purpose in life. 

The point that freedom is in danger is driven home again and again by actual footage of Nazi Germany, the holocaust and the gulag of the Soviet Union.  Are we becoming like these despotic societies?  The parallels are obvious.

Would I recommend this movie?  Definitely. Keep in mind this is not an evangelical movie but we share  much common ground with Mr. Stein.  I would not recommend it to young children or those who find the sight of holocaust shots overwhelming.  We should pray that God will use this film to wake up those who should see the evil and foolish path we are on. 

Expelled is a powerful testimony to the truth of Romans 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.   May God revive His Church and preserve us in the midst of this increasing foolishness.