Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences, according to its producer.

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor

...US distributors have resolutely passed on a film which will prove hugely divisive in a country where, according to a Gallup poll conducted in February, only 39 per cent of Americans believe in the theory of evolution. Movieguide.org, an influential site which reviews films from a Christian perspective, described Darwin as the father of eugenics and denounced him as "a racist, a bigot and an 1800s naturalist whose legacy is mass murder". His "half-baked theory" directly influenced Adolf Hitler and led to "atrocities, crimes against humanity, cloning and genetic engineering", the site stated.

The film has sparked fierce debate on US Christian websites, with a typical comment dismissing evolution as "a silly theory with a serious lack of evidence to support it despite over a century of trying".

Jeremy Thomas, the Oscar-winning producer of Creation, said he was astonished that such attitudes exist 150 years after On The Origin of Species was published.

"That's what we're up against. In 2009. It's amazing," he said.

"The film has no distributor in America. It has got a deal everywhere else in the world but in the US, and it's because of what the film is about. People have been saying this is the best film they've seen all year, yet nobody in the US has picked it up.

"It is unbelievable to us that this is still a really hot potato in America. There's still a great belief that He made the world in six days. It's quite difficult for we in the UK to imagine religion in America. We live in a country which is no longer so religious. But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...us-America.html

[Mark&Steph 0]

Damn, I want to see this. Thank god for region free dvd players. We'll be buying it when it comes out on dvd.

[scandal 951]

But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

Having religious faith and simultaneously accepting the overwhelming evidence for Darwinism (Natural selection, speciation ) are not mutually exclusive. Many people of faith are able to accept scientific truth when they see it. It's only ignorance and willful disregard for facts and data that are to be abhorred, not religion.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

Having religious faith and simultaneously accepting the overwhelming evidence for Darwinism (Natural selection, speciation ) are not mutually exclusive. Many people of faith are able to accept scientific truth when they see it. It's only ignorance and willful disregard for facts and data that are to be abhorred, not religion.

WORD.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

Having religious faith and simultaneously accepting the overwhelming evidence for Darwinism (Natural selection, speciation ) are not mutually exclusive. Many people of faith are able to accept scientific truth when they see it. It's only ignorance and willful disregard for facts and data that are to be abhorred, not religion.

I agree, brother. That was a pretty ignorant statement there regarding the term religion. He should have said, fundamentalism.

[AlHayatZween 2]

But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

Having religious faith and simultaneously accepting the overwhelming evidence for Darwinism (Natural selection, speciation ) are not mutually exclusive. Many people of faith are able to accept scientific truth when they see it. It's only ignorance and willful disregard for facts and data that are to be abhorred, not religion.

WORD.

That's crazy that they won't pick it up here in the US.

Edited September 15, 2009 by AlHayatZween

[Pooky 3,930]

It's quite difficult for we in the UK to imagine religion in America.

And therein lies the rub.

The UK, where religious education is part of the public school curriculum, yet where faith has far less of a following per head of capita, cannot understand the USA, where religious education is excluded from the public school curriculum, but where faith is far stronger.

For the record, I am saddened that this film won't be shown in the USA.

[Two Face 0]

America was, and remains, the lone voice of good in the Western world.

[Pooky 3,930]

America was, and remains, the lone voice of good in the Western world.

A closed mind sheds no light on it's inner thoughts.

Plus you can't read books in the darkness.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

America was, and remains, the lone voice of good in the Western world.

A closed mind sheds no light on it's inner thoughts.

Plus you can't read books in the darkness.

Fo' real.

[HAL 9000 96]

So its accepted scientific sense that religion and science are not necessarily mutually exclusive?

Could've fooled me!!

FSM will not be pleased at such foolishness.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Is this a comedy?

[Nik+Heather 122]

The problem is that if no one picks it up, they won't get lots of angry letters and death threats or mobs with pitchforks....this too can be yours - for having anything to do with evolution...

[scandal 951]

Is this a comedy?

Marc'ie poo

Wanna trash this thread?

[luckytxn 2,265]

If the movie is so good then it will be picked up. It is probably a poorly done and acted film. Hollywood cares nothing what people think if the film will make them money.