Fundies object to IMAX movies. Self-censorship at Ft Worth museum.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

So the creationists are controlling what we see at IMAX theaters. What's next? Nova? Nature? National Geographic? Methinks Ms. Carol Murray needs to hear from the science geek in me.


Creationists take their fight to the really big screen
US row forces southern Imax cinemas to shun films on evolution

<snip>
In most southern states, theatre officials found recent test screenings of several of these films triggered accusations from viewers that the films were blasphemous.

Carol Murray, marketing director of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Texas, said audience members who had watched Volcanoes had commented 'I really hate it when the theory of evolution is presented as fact', or 'I don't agree with their presentation of human existence.'

As a result, the science museum had decided not to screen the film. 'If it is not going to draw a crowd and it is going to create controversy, from a marketing point of view, I cannot make a recommendation,' Murray told the New York Times yesterday.
<snip>

observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1441818,00.html

[cynatnite]

1. self delete

nevermind

[mhr]

2. Ignorance Is Bliss - So They Say!

eom

[Tux]

3. Er what?

'I don't agree with their presentation of human existence.'

No matter what, we're still here.

I live in the South and if I could, I'd run like mad back to the North. It's colder and more crime in MI but at least the crazies were in check if not hid. Only in the Bible Belt could I find little comics with how to convert messages in Linux magazines, Buddhist books, manga, pagan books, and Christian books (put those comics in the proper section). It's bad enough non-southern degrees are looked upon as inferior or godless liberal but to remove anything of science is too far. The south needs either to join the 21st century or remove itself from the rest of the world.

[Kerrytravelers]

4. Stop the world--- I really need to get off!

I need a break from all this spinning.

[madeline_con]

5. Someone needs to stop these idiots...

or college graduates of the future will believe the earth is only a few thousand years old, and there will be rioting in the streets over the old chicken or egg debate.

[stumblingleft]

6. Hold the IMAX brand to account

I've written a polemic about this issue.

In it I argue that although the IMAX corporation is not technically responsible for the programming decisions its operators make, their brand still rightfully takes a hit when a theatre chooses to enforce Creationist censorship.

I advocate that every secularist concerned about this issue should write to their local IMAX theatre operator and ask to know whether the operator's programming policy strongly resists attempts to censor films with Darwinist content. If not, consider whether your science-entertainment dollar might be better spent elsewhere.

You have to do this at the local theatre level because the IMAX corporation has no stated commitment to endeavour to protect its science-based brand from the encroachments of Christian fundamentalists

Don't let the fundamentalists win the consumer boycott war - hold the IMAX brand to account!

[flamingyouth]

7. Welcome to DU

I like your blog. :hi:

[crispini]

8. Museum's response

per an email list I'm on:

Thank you for calling to voice your concern about Museum programming
and for talking with me today. Below is the letter we provided
yesterday in response to emails and written correspondence regarding
our initial decision not to show the IMAX film, Volcanoes of the
Deep Sea. Again, we expect the film, Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, to
begin showing next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Please see our website,
www.fortworthmuseum.org, to confirm showtimes.



Regards, Judy Ivey



March 24, 2005

On behalf of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, I am
writing to let you know how we sincerely appreciate your concerns
regarding the programs and films we show at the Omni Theater In
light of the current interest in the film, Volcanoes of the Deep
Sea, the Museum will be showing the film, which will open soon.
Please check our website, www.fortworthmuseum.org, for specific show
times.

The original decision not to show the film for a variety of reasons
received coverage in The New York Times and in the Star-Telegram on
Saturday, March 19, 2005. The articles focused on IMAX theaters not
showing movies that mention evolution for fear of offending people
who would object. Readers of the articles understandably gained the
impression that the Museum lacks the willingness to present
scientific viewpoints in an uncensored environment, which is
incorrect.

The results of a survey taken after prescreening Volcanoes revealed
that several individuals were concerned about its references to
evolution; however, the Museum would like to set the record
straight: Those concerns were not the determining factor as to why
we did not show the film. The survey indicated that the film simply
did not have the potential for broad audience interest compared to
other films under consideration at the time. Importantly, we also
want you to know that the Omni Theater has also shown Cosmic Voyage
and is currently showing Aliens of the Deep, which presents much of
the same science as Volcanoes of the Deep Sea.

I want to ensure that you know the Museum supports the position that
evolution is a major unifying concept of science. We use scientific
evidence in our wide-ranging presentations and interpretations of
how life has changed over time. But we also want you to know that
the Museum respects the beliefs of its guests and acknowledges that
they are able to make their own decisions about science-related
programs.

Again, thank you for your interest in the Museum. We welcome you to
come and see Volcanoes of the Deep Sea this April.

Sincerely,

Van Romans

[muse]

9. The people at the Fort Worth Museum are terrific

I know many of them personally and professionally. The reason they decided not to show it is that the film did not test well in terms of general interest. Every museum does a test with its audience before selecting it as show in their lineup.

The professional museum staff in Fort Worth are having to do some serious damage control to get the word out that they are all about the integrity of science. They are true leaders in the museum field and have won many grants from the National Science Foundation to put on exhibitions. They have a new dinosaur exhibits in the works and they created a statement in support of evolution when they started working on the exhibit.