IMAX theaters Reject Science Shows under Religious Pressure

[Ian David]

IMAX theaters Reject Science Shows under Religious Pressure
By LiveScience Staff

posted: 19 March 2005
01:00 pm ET


Some IMAX theatres are refusing to show movies that mention evolution or the Big Bang because of protests by religious groups who say the ideas contradict the Bible.

While the number of protests is small -- perhaps a dozen or fewer IMAX theaters -- the effect could be significant because only a few dozen IMAX theatres exhibit science documentaries, according to an article Saturday in The New York Times.

The bans, occurring mostly in the South, could affect decisions about whether to even produce some science documentaries in the first place, the article states.

Religious concerns have already affected the distribution of at least two IMAX films. The film "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" discusses the possibility of life on Earth having started around subsea hydrothermal vents. It has been turned down at several science centers, according to Richard Lutz, a Rutgers University researcher who was the film's chief scientist.

More:
http://www.livescience.com/othernews/050319_imax.html

[joeybee12]

1. Welcome to the Dark Ages!

Is it any wonder US students lag far behind other countries in science?

[Wapsie B]

2. Ah yes, the flat-earth society has spoken

once again. And these false christians claim persecution and victimhood. They persecute themselves with such lunacy.

[xchrom]

3. all righty then...

i have to laugh at this.

cause it's too stupid.

[Ian David]

4. Think they'll have Passion of The Christ on IMAX?

Damn, that would be fun!

[ThumperDumper]

7. In Denver

there's an IMAX ATTACHED to the Museum of Nature and Science (used to be a MONH). I think should get UNattached.

Is IMAX a monopoly on that format?

Support your local Science and Nature Museum so they don't have to give into market-driven BS.

[bettyellen]

5. agghh this is sick......

when i opened the statement for my 401k, and looked at what funds were flailing\g bigtime, it was all the scientific research ones. the only fund with serious (okay, huge) profits. Oil!
How the fuck would we have figured out what to do with the oil without science, you fucking morans?

[ThumperDumper]

8. That's sad.

We should be LEADING in biotech, especially things like gene therapy. Unfortunately our government would like to opt out off that industry entirely, it seems. Someday we'll be forced to buy expensive Alzheimers therapies from overseas for our parents.

[bettyellen]

12. true enough.

but i think one of the reasons we don't support stem cell treatments is that they wouldn't create profits for bif pharma. nothing in it for anybody but the sick, really.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

6. Can't even get upset about this kind of stuff anymore...

Those that want to remain ignorant, shall remain so. Those that wish to be educated, shall do so.:shrug:

[Ian David]

9. What are fundamentalist Xians doing at a science museum anyway?

Do fundies go to science museums for the same reason normal people go to slasher films? To be scared and shocked?

"Wow, did you see that movie about deep-sea thermal vents? When they mentioned Evolution, I nearly jumped out of my seat! I was so offended! We have to go see it together this time!"

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. Good one.

These the same people who watch 'The Lion King' animated movie for profanity secretly hidden in the cloud drawings (only seen when one views the film frame-by-frame).

Ya, it's disturbing to see in 2005, but, bottom line: The stupid will always remain so as long as they avoid seeking knowledge.

[Imperialism Inc.]

11. It is actually a bit more than that unfortunately.

These actions by the knuckle dragging idiots have repercussions for the rest of us. Like less filmmakers and production companies willing to do educational material containing these "taboo" subjects.
Someone mentioned supporting the science museums but even that doesn't completely work since there was a story not long back about sone of those that were going to pull these IMAX movies. Their patrons , luckily, forced them to withdraw that stance but it is an ever looming danger now that the morons have been empowered.
As a side note a couple of observations. First is my local science center. COSI. They now have a huge exhibit on birth and death. It actually discusses stuff like spirits and souls and life after death. It, of course, doesn't claim these things exist but why in the heck is that in a science center? The room of the exhibit has 3D models of fetuses at various stages of development. I call it the fundy nut job exhibit and can't help but assume that it is only there to satisfy some fundy nut job Ohio congressperson who is holding the funding purse strings.
Another example of the pervasiveness of the wackos. I was watching a PBS series called "The Nature of Sex". In the first episode the guy introducing it is explaining how the drive for sex is common to all animals including us and he offered up this gem... "and that's why Noah's animals went on the ark 2 by 2". Whaaaat??? What is that doing in a science based show?
So you see the presence and influence of these nut jobs is not harmless at all and effects all of us in negative ways.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

13. But even Galileo survived the Spanish Inquisition, right?

They can't force me, my family, or my children into stupidity. And, in turn, I cannot force the stupid to become enlightened with knowledge. I support the Carnegie Museum and the Science Center in Pittsburgh with generous contributions every year. I also support WQED (PBS) and gave them even more money this year since they showed 'Postcards from Buster' with the Vermont couple (and wrote them a nice letter of support too).

Those who wish to further science may have to send them a little extra money these days. I do what I can in my small corner of the world and I know that this zealot nonsense will end, hopefully with a huge backlash from voters in the near future.