Evolutionary thought is consuming the academic world. The mere mention of intelligent design is becoming a sinful deed. Not only are researchers strongly discouraged to believe in intelligent design, they can’t even study it. Intelligent design is not being silenced because it has been proven true or false, but because scientists’ careers depend on evolutionary principles which have not been definitively proven true or false.
Ben Stein’s documentary, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," examines several cases in which professors, researchers and journalists have been fired or denied tenure because they have written articles or conducted research in support of intelligent design. Additionally, people who have expressed any sort of doubt in Darwinism have been similarly demonized and discredited in the academic world. According to the documentary’s Web site, "Across America, the freedom of scientists, teachers and students to question Darwin is coming under increasing attack by self-appointed defenders of the theory of evolution who are waging a campaign to demonize and silence anyone who disagrees with them."
The scope of scientific study, therefore, is being limited by what mainstream scientists unjustifiably view as worthy of their interest. Apparently, intelligent design does not fit this description for most scientists and is being neglected in the field of acceptable study as a result.
The underlying mindset is that intelligent design does not fit demarcation criteria. In other words, since intelligent design is presumably unable to be falsified, it cannot be studied as science. However, due to the overwhelming number of people who believe in it, why should it be a subject swept under the carpet of scientific research? Furthermore, in studying evolution, it would make sense to at least consider the opposing point of view.
Scientists are actively working to eliminate intelligent design as a serious subject of study. This is because evolution has become such a widely accepted process in science that any research that might discredit evolution might also discredit the scientists who have devoted their careers to support evolution or to matters that are founded on evolutionary principles.
Because of the conflict of interest evident in this affair, the integrity and accuracy of science is being severely compromised. Scientists, in an attempt to subjectively silence studies that might jeopardize their careers, are constraining academic freedom. As a result of the aforementioned documentary, a petition for academic freedom is circulating to support free speech and free scientific inquiry. If you wish to electronically sign this petition, visit www.expelledthemovie.com, click on the "Academic Freedom" tab, and you will see a description of the goals of the petition and be able to sign it.
