Expelled- the movie

Have you seen "Expelled" with Ben Stein? Ok- you might remember him from the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" starring Matthew Broderick. Stein played the monotone teacher who called out, "anyone, anyone, anyone.....?"

The movie asserts that several college professors have been fired or denied tenure based on their decision to "consider" intelligent design as 1 theory for how life started. It is a documentary and very dry. Richard Dawkins, a prominent atheist, is interviewed heavily by Stein.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this film. The media gives the movie horrible reviews. Ben Stein, the actor, was a lawyer and even worked as a speech writer for Richard Nixon. During the documentary, the scientists say that anyone who considers intelligent design as an option for how humans were created, is an idiot. Dawkins even claims that possible aliens (a higher life form from another planet) came to earth and seeded it. He didn't have any ideas about how the higher life forms came to be.

According to Dawkins, the producer and Ben Stein tricked him and others into participating in the interviews. The movie title was a different title and the interviewers appeared to support science. That is why several of the anti-intelligent design scientists agreed to talk to the interviewers. Many people who believe in intelligent design (that a higher power like God created the world and life) also believe in evolution. The trick is how "evolution" is defined. Some define it as the end-all be-all of life. Some define it meerly as a theory for how animals adapt and 'evolve' through each generation.

The scientists in this film who were "exposed" won't even say that there is a 1% chance that a higher power (like God) created life. They say life came from crystals. But, where did the crystals come from? This is a great movie to get people thinking- no matter what your views are. I loved how Stein separated the religion part from the debate. He just couldn't believe that these brainy scientists wouldn't consider at all the chance that a higher power created life. Not even a .1111 chance.

I know 1 atheist. He is a great guy- moral, honest and takes care of his family. Maybe I have other athiest friends, but they don't bring it up. It has been probably 10 years since I have even had a conversation about big bang versus God creating the earth.

How do you think life began? When's the last time someone challenged your belief and how did you react?

Clinton VS. Obama- Who won? Is Faith a deciding factor?

Last night, I watched the Democratic Debate between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. The debate started off with a 45 minute barrage of questions about Obama's statements about people being bitter and clinging to guns and religion, his relationship with his pastor, his relationship with a professor who was part of a bombing 40 years ago and a few other items.

The debate is being hailed as one of the worst, if not THE worst debate ever. While I believe anyone running for President should be fully researched, I care more about their previous voting patterns, philosophy of governing and ideas for how to manage the war, spur on the economy and help me keep more of my hard earned dollars.

Our presidents have always had a link to a certain church- many have been protestants and JFK was Catholic. While Ronald Regan was heralded as the best president by many conservatives (many of which are Christians), Nancy Reagan consulted astrologists. This is never talked about by Christian Republicans.

I would like to have a president that believed exactly like me, but is that realistic. His/her philosophy and ideas and pattern for success matter more to me than what church he goes to. Even if a policitican is a "member" of a church, what does that prove?



First Question: Who do you think won the debate?
Second Question: Is a person's religious doctrine/association more important to you than their stance on the issues? Would you vote for someone of your faith even if you disagreed with them on the issues??

Barack Obama praises George Bush the 1st

Yesterday Senator Obama addressed a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania. He answered many questions from the group of veterans about the underfunding of the VA, the nasty campaigning & the racist type comments uttered by a fellow congressman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9Jis_BsZ0w).

Senator Obama has run an honorable campaign and hasn't resorted to the nastiness which we have seen and see today. He didn't raise a ruckus about the comments being racist although the comment is clearly racist (use of the word "boy" to describe a 47 yr old senator).

When asked about the Iraq war and the cost in lives and dollars, Senator Obama recognized that George HW Bush (the 1st) did it right. Back during the Gulf War, the executive branch took their time, calculated the cost, listened to all views (even dissenting views) and executed a plan down to the details.

Barack said that it doesn't matter if someone is Republican or Democrat, many of the issues we are facing today (war, mortgage crisis, gas prices,etc..) are not partisan issues. Sure, he is hoping to get more Republican support, but I believed him yesterday.

Do you support Barack? What are the top 2 things you look for in a presidential candidate?