This is, perhaps, a fault of many modern documentaries that also try and entertain. I recently watched Michael Moore’s Sicko and thoroughly enjoyed it as a film, but my wife (a journalist) pointed out correctly that it was hardly a pure documentary. Further, when I asked one of my British friends what she and others in the U.K. thought of the NHS, she outright contradicted Moore’s thesis. And I’m much more likely to believe my friend who’s grown up in England, even if I would prefer to believe the statements made by the film.

Other more “straight” documentaries such as March of the Penguins may be more factual, but frankly most are very dull — at least the penguin film was quite boring. I don’t know why it got so much attention. We live in a culture that expects to entertained, for good or for bad.

I’m not a part of the scientific community and can’t lend any additional comments affirming or discrediting Expelled. My own interest in this film stems from personal experiences where people on both sides of the issue engage in mudslinging instead of bona-fide discussion. My hope is that this film, as it does at least in part clearly intend to do, opens up avenues of communication that have been shut down for years for whatever reasons. I know you probably won’t agree with me on this per your above statements, but I can’t ignore my own observations from within both secular and churched environments.

In a New York Times interview, Walter Ruloff (producer of Expelled) said that researchers, who had studied cellular mechanisms, made findings suggestive of an intelligent designer. “But they are afraid to report them”.
Mr. Ruloff also cited Dr. Francis S. Collins, a geneticist who directs the National Human Genome Research Institute and whose book, “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief”, explains how he came to embrace his Christian faith. Mr. Ruloff said that Dr. Collins separates his religious beliefs from his scientific work only because “he is toeing the party line”.

That’s “just ludicrous,” Dr. Collins said in a telephone interview. While many of his scientific colleagues are not religious and some are “a bit puzzled” by his faith, he said, “they are generally very respectful.” He said that if the problem Mr. Ruloff describes existed, he is certain he would know about it.

Similarly, Dr. Ken Miller is a professed Christian who wrote “Finding Darwin’s God” (which I suggest you read). Dr. Miller has not been “expelled” in any fashion for his belief in God.

The movie tries to make the case that “Big Science” is nothing but a huge atheist conspiracy out to silence believers, but only presents a very one-sided look at some of the Discovery Institute’s “martyrs”.

Carolyn Crocker “expelled”? – No.
Her annual teaching contract was not renewed. Was she “fired” for daring to bring God into research? – No. She was hired to teach Cell Biology, and she decided to ignore the schools’ curriculum and substitute her own curriculum.

Guillermo Gonzalez “expelled”? – No.
He was not granted tenure. The film doesn’t bring up the fact that in all his years at ISU he had only brought in only a miniscule amount of grant money. Nor does it bring up the fact that in all his years at ISU he failed to mentor a single student through to their PhD. Nor does it mention that in his career at ISU, his previous excellent record of publication had dropped precipitously.

Richard von Sternberg “expelled”? – No.
Sternberg continues to work for NIH in the same capacity. Of course the movie doesn’t bring up his underhanded tactics in getting Meyers work published.

This movie attempts to influence it’s viewers with dishonesty, half-truths, and by a completely one-sided presentation of the facts.

If a scientists’ research is not accepted by the scientific community, it isn’t because the scientist either believes or doesn’t believe in God or Darwin, it is usually because they are producing bad science.