Warning: the following film show scenes of violence, brief nudity and evolution.

[Babbler]

Imax 'shuns films on evolution'

Several Imax cinemas in the US have refused to show films referring to the theory of evolution for fear of a religious backlash, it is reported.

Viewers at a US test screening judged films which contradicted religious descriptions of man's origins as "blasphemous", the New York Times said.

As a result science films were denied screenings in approximately 12 large-screen Imax cinemas.

Spokesmen for Imax cinemas in the UK were unavailable for comment.

Knock-on effect

Religious controversy has reportedly affected the distribution of educational films such as Cosmic Voyage, Galapagos and Volcanoes of the Deep Sea to Imax cinemas, some based within science museums.

While relatively few cinemas were involved, it was feared it could have a profound knock-on effect across the world because of the high cost of producing Imax films.

Carol Murray, spokeswoman for Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, said the museum's Imax cinema decided not to screen the Volcanoes movie after showing it to a sample audience.

In their written comments the audience made statements such as "I really hate it when the theory of evolution is presented as fact", and "I don't agree with their presentation of human existence".

"If it's not going to draw a crowd and it is going to create controversy, from a marketing standpoint I cannot make a recommendation [to show it]," Ms Murray said.

'Carefully weighed up'

Similarly Lisa Buzzelli, director of the Charleston Imax Theatre in South Carolina, told the newspaper: "We have definitely a lot more 'creation' public than 'evolution' public."

She had not completely ruled out screening Volcanoes but added: "Being in the Bible Belt, the movie does have a lot to do with evolution and we weigh that carefully."

There are currently 240 Imax cinemas operating in 35 countries.

In addition to educational films, they screen blockbusters such as Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Spider-Man 2 and animated movie Robots.

Article.

What do you think? I am not sure, since I dislike how they given into religious fundamentalist pressure, but then agian, it is a private organization. They can do what they want to their property, within confines of the law. It is not a public inisitution, like schools, or courthouses.

 

[Perfection]

*sigh*

Why must silly religionists work so hard to take away such good and truthful movies?

I just wanted to see sciency stuff on a really big screen

 

[amadeus]

It's private, so they can do as well as they please.

 

[Goober]

Evolution is a fact. Get over it.

Apparently the Bible names those 2 monkeys who were our common descendant Adam and Eve. That Garden is Africa. So the Bible is short on some details. What's the problem, exactly?

 

[King Alexander]

I also find this outcome sad: I have watched and I'll also continue to watch religious movies on cinema or TV (as well as religious series on TV) -- I have no problem watching them.

 

[Hotpoint]

"Where Evolution is outlawed only Outlaws will evolve"

Given that it is a private institution and open to pressure perhaps the best response would be that if you do accept evolution you should never go there and make sure to send them a letter saying so.

As for "We have definitely a lot more 'creation' public than 'evolution' public" it's far more likely, even in America, that the Creationists are just more vocal and hence have an impact greater than their numbers would indicate.

.

 

[Zarn]

It is a private institution, but that's been said already.

I couldn't care less about evolutionism, and I don't take Creationism word for word in the Bible. As far as I'm concerned, you are all wrong. Show what you want, though.

 

[carlosMM]

the museum's Imax cinema decided not to screen the Volcanoes movie after showing it to a sample audience.

Yep, let's have scientific results polled by laymen and then accept their decision as fact, rightyoh!




I have seen the sneak preview of Volcanoes of the Deep Sea when I was in NY at the AMNH, and I personally know (and took courses by) Dolf Seilacher, the scientist behind the project. THis 'we fear negative reactions' BS is nothing but arseholes spitting the grand old man of trace fossil research right in the face. I wish I could personally bullwhip them.


It is a pity that I once visited that Museum - I am tempted to ask my money back.

 

[zulu9812]

America, welcome to your religious fundamentalism

 

[Jawz II]

i cant belive the epic battle between religion and science is still going strong in america....

i mean after the church people burned that briliant scientist guy who said the earth is not flat (galileo?) one would think they would be too embarssed to fight science and technology... i guess they arent....

if theres 1 thing thats gonna push america off the 1st place in the technology race, its religion

maybe not so bad, if it helps some poor bastards somewhere from being bombed by american high tech bombers!

 

[Yom]

i cant belive the epic battle between religion and science is still going strong in america....

i mean after the church people burned that briliant scientist guy who said the earth is not flat (galileo?) one would think they would be too embarssed to fight science and technology... i guess they arent....

if theres 1 thing thats gonna push america off the 1st place in the technology race, its religion

maybe not so bad, if it helps some poor bastards somewhere from being bombed by american high tech bombers!

It was Giordano Bruno, but no one believed the earth was truly flat, AFAIK.

Edit: Galileo was tried for heresy, though, but he wasn't killed.

 

[The Last Conformist]

@Americans: Get the Evangelicals to shut up, and half of all America-mocking will cease immediately.

 

[Zwelgje]

This is insane. Even from a business point of view.
I believe that in certain areas there are more religious people than non-religious but then you can show the movie for the non-religious and tell the religious folks that they're probably not gonna like it. I mean, when they show an action-movie to a really old audience the people probably won't like it either but it shouldn't stop the cinema from showing the movie because the teens are gonna love it.
You can't please all your customer all the time.

 

[nonconformist]

It's the equivilent of refusing to show The Passion of the Christ.

 

[stratego]

Imax shows talking animals and dancing flamingoes, but they won't show evolution. Is evolution really that outrageous?

 

[carlosMM]

Is evolution really that outrageous?

It is real, and that is so horrible to them!

 

[The Last Conformist]

I think I shall start boycotting all movies that refer to gravity.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Stop running from the Religious Right.

PLEASE.



Even the Wiki- "Bloody-Neutral-Point-Of-View" -Pedia has this.

*curse, curse, swear, hit, and generally fume at people with the inteligence level of Jack T. Chick*.

Spoiler :

Yes, I spelled intelligence wrong on purpose. From prior experience of CFC debating, I fully expect five people to jump on my assumed typo as proof that I am completely and utterly wrong. These people are stupid.

Moderator Action: Warned for trolling
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[Leonel]

Are you kidding me. Religious folk aren't THAT fanatical. I mean COME ON. Its a shame that people are afraid of a 'religious backlash' that doesn't really exist but only in one or two people. Probably not even one person!

 

[carlosMM]

Are you kidding me. Religious folk aren't THAT fanatical. I mean COME ON. Its a shame that people are afraid of a 'religious backlash' that doesn't really exist but only in one or two people. Probably not even one person!

I have personally met several hundred. And that in only a few weeks in the US.
The press, the internet, the churches are FULL of them!

A friend of mine got a bible thrown at him, breaking his nose, when he said he doesn't take fairy tales from 10 A.D. Palestine literally.