Tale of Two Creation Films Denied First Amendment Rights on Darwin's Anniversary
by Staff
November 27, 2009
HUNTSVILLE, AL, (christiansunite.com) -- Two creation films called "inappropriate" were denied the opportunity to be shown in government facilities this week--which marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species". While the intelligent design film "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record" has not been granted permission for a showing in California, "The Mysterious Islands", a new 90-minute Vision Forum film that challenges Darwin's evolution by taking audiences back to engage the enchanted Galapagos Islands, has enjoyed a victory and will premiere as previously scheduled tonight, Nov. 25, at 6:30 PM, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL."We want to commend the U.S. Space and Rocket Center ("USSRC") for allowing equal access to its facilities for a private screening of 'The Mysterious Islands' this week," said a jubilant Doug Phillips, executive producer of "The Mysterious Islands". Phillips and his crew--his son Joshua Phillips, Dr. John Morris of the Institute for Creation Research and Jon and Andy Erwin, the award-winning production duo who shot and produced the documentary--have been traveling the country screening the film since its release on Nov. 12, with key members making the trip on the "Galapagos Ark" Tour Bus.
"Knowing that the USSRC was a government facility, we contacted attorneys at the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) for assistance," Phillips continued about legal action that led to the victory. In a letter dated Nov. 23, 2009, Daniel Blomberg, ADF litigation counsel, informed the USSRC executives that their "refusal is in direct violation of Vision Forum's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights," and he highlighted the fact that the USSRC had shown two pro-evolutionary films, "The Magic of Flight" and "Blue Planet", at their facility. The USSRC responded to ADF's letter within hours of receiving it and is now cordially allowing access for a screening of "The Mysterious Islands". Though the film is premiering with short notice in Huntsville, hundreds have already registered to attend at: events.constantcontact.com/register/event? oeidk=a07e2mzzpjzfd3e5dcc
"The Mysterious Islands" documents Phillips as he leads a team of Christian scientists and investigators to the Galapagos Islands to engage with the amazing creatures Darwin chronicled during his storied trip to this island chain aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835. Seen through the eyes of 16-year-old Joshua Phillips, who joins his father and noted researchers like Dr. John Morris, "The Mysterious Islands" is the story of one boy's search for answers to a great controversy of the modern world. The fast-paced adventure combines cinematically breathtaking footage with high adventure in its quest is to determine whether the Galapagos Islands are a laboratory for evolution, as Darwinists claim, or a showcase for the biblical account of creation.
Along the way, "The Mysterious Islands" examines intriguing questions that Darwin failed to answer, or that he just got wrong: Why do the animals on these islands appear to have little fear of man? Why have some of the creatures of the Galapagos developed such unusual characteristics--are these phenomena evidences of evolution or something else? Does natural selection produce new kinds of animals, or just variations within the same kinds?
Meanwhile, the fate of the other film "Darwin's Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record" hangs in the balance. The California Science Center (CSC) has not yet reversed its decision to allow a showing at the museum's IMAX Theater.
Watch the trailer of "The Mysterious Islands" and learn more about the film by visiting the official website at: www.themysteriousislands.com, and contact Vision Forum at press@visionforum.org about screening "The Mysterious Islands" in your community.
