I had the chance to review Teaching Origins Objectively, a DVD from New Liberty Videos that sells for $19.95.
In many science textbooks, the theory of evolution has become commonly accepted, while the idea of origins that came about through an intelligent design is often considered to be purely spiritual at best and not rooted in science. This DVD presents the case for teaching origins objectively and not disregarding intelligent design as a theological theory embraced only by the religious or ill informed.
New Liberty Videos is a company that began with Brian Barkley, who was a Universal Studios employee. He worked on "B.J. and the Bear" and "Quincy" before becoming a Christian and producing a documentary, "Set Free", about San Quentin Prison. Following in this documentary perspective, New Liberty Videos offers a variety of topics in DVD format.
The video runs for 120 minutes (2 hours) and is intended for general audiences, so younger kids will probably find much of it to be over their heads. Still, if you're like me, you'll feel like it doesn't hurt to expose younger children to advanced learning even if they're still not yet able to grasp it in its fullness. This was the idea as I inserted the DVD into the player, though I'm glad I chose to view it alone before sitting my kids down to watch. While, I'm sure my oldest son, 9th Grade, probably will enjoy watching this documentary, it would have been way over the head of my 8-year-old. Still, as an adult, I found it fascinating and enlightening.
During this 2005 hearing that lasted for four days, 23 experts presented their views in approximately 20 hours worth of hearing time presentations. The Teaching Origins Objectively DVD presents the best clips from these talks.
The speakers have impressive credentials and include:
- William S. Harris, Ph.D. - Biochemist and Developer of Omega-3 Index
- Jonathan Wells, Ph.D. - Molecular and Cell Biologists, Author of "Icons of Evolution"
- Bruce Simat, Ph.D. - Professor at Northwestern College, Biochemistry and Human Physiology
- Ralph Seelke, Ph.D. - Professor of Biology, University of Wisconsin
- Jill Gonzalez-Bravo, M.S. - Middle School Teacher, Rose Hill, Kansas
- Edward Peltzer Ph.D. - Research Specialist in Oceanography & Chemical Evolution
- Russel Carlson, Ph. D. - Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia
- John Sanford, Ph.D. - Geneticist and Associate Professor, Cornell University
- Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D. - Biochemist, Professor of Nutrition, Ohio State University
- Daniel Ely, Ph.D. - Professor of Biology, University of Akron, Ohio
- Roger DeHart, B.S. - High School Biology Teacher, Westlake Village, CA
- John Millam, Ph.D. - Theoretical Chemist, Developer Computational Chemistry Software
- Nancy Bryson, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Kennesaw State University
- James Barham, M.A. - Scholar and Author Specializing in Evolutionary Epistemiology
- Stephen Meyer, Ph.D. - Director and Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute Seattle, WA
- Angus Menuge, Ph.D. - Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University, Wisconsin
- Warran Nord, Ph.D. - Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of North Carolina
- Mustafa Akyol - Freelance Writer for Turkish and U.S Media
- Michael Bebe, Ph.D. - Professor of Biochemistry, Author of "Darwin's Black Box"
- John H. Calvert, J.D. - Lawyer, Specializing in Constitutionally Appropriate Ways to Teach Origins Science in Public Schools
While I am a Christian and believe in creation, I have often heard creation science discussed using only the Bible as a reference to back the idea. I have also heard the criticisms and put downs that make those who believe in scientific design of origins look as if we are less intelligent than those who believe in evolution and accept it as a scientific fact.
I really enjoyed hearing these experts present their cases from a purely scientific, objective perspective. Actually, I found it fascinating and was happy to hear their takes on why they feel it is important to teach origins objectively and the importance of allowing the student to come to their own conclusions after being presented all of the facts from every possible theory, whether evolution or creation.
Good science is not determined upon accepting evolution as the only theory of origins!
Another thing I was happy to see was the long list of educational credentials that each speaker has attained. I felt like this put the each in a position to be equally respected by the Kansas Board of Education as those who prefer to teach evolution as the only scientific theory in regard to origins.
Find out what other crew members thought about this and other videos from New Liberty Videos by clicking on the picture below:
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