Comments on: Creationism Vs. Evolution: No US Distribution for Controversial Film On Darwin

By: Matthew R

Matthew R — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:05:53 +0000

Just wanted to expand a little on the role played by the word “theory” in this whole debate. In non-technical contexts, the word “theory” is used synonymously with the word “hypothesis” to mean something like “a conjecture which has yet to be verified”. In technical/scientific terms, however, a “theory” is a verified explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena, e.g. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. That conservatives continue to argue that “evolution is just a theory” simply illustrates their own ignorance. Saying that evolution is just a theory is akin to saying that gravity is just a theory.

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By: Marc Latham

Marc Latham — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:23:36 +0000

Hard to comment without knowing the reason, but if it is being censored it’s a sad day for the ‘land of the free’!

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By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:37:23 +0000

Very confusing, because just from the trailer it looks very good. And from the reviews, it’s not really an evolution film. It’s centered more around Darwin’s life with his family and children. I can see where just saying the word evolution might stir people up and cause picketing of movie theaters. At least here in the South. But I doubt it wouldn’t be received really well in the metros like NYC, LA, and Chicago. Hopefully I can pick it up on DVD when it gets to that point.

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By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:59:31 +0000

Such a marketing ploy. It’s betrays ignorance to generalize about the US in that way. If it really were a religious issue that made distributors hesitant to take on the film, then by definition this movie would sell a zillion ticket on the “secular coasts” of the USA.

It’s probably more likely that the movie is just bad and the producer is making excuses for it not selling here.

Dan
Casual Kitchen

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By: Carlo

Carlo — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:54:10 +0000

Tis a very good point. I think we can all accept that money wins over any other motivation most of the time.

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By: Ian MacKenzie

Ian MacKenzie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:13:28 +0000

Again, I think there’s a need for clarification.

Evolution is defined as: “…the change in the genetic material of a population of organisms from one generation to the next.”

That is a fact. Organisms evolve over time.

Why do they evolve? That is the theory.

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By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:06:02 +0000

Such an important point, Ian, that is rarely brought up.

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By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:52 +0000

WOW. Thanks for the stats, Luke. I wouldn’t have thought that to be the case.

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By: Joe Ascanio

Joe Ascanio — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:22:53 +0000

Well put, Ian. One note I’d like to add is that, WHEN compared as “Apples to Apples,” the argument between Evolution and Creationism is truly ridiculous. Sure, I will concede that Evolution may very well be a “theory” – one which, at maybe 99% proven, still lacks that extra 1% to make it fact. But the issue here is that Creationism has been blatantly DISPROVEN. That is something that the Sarah Palin-ites of this country just cannot wrap their mediocre minds around.