Customer Reviews

Evolution - Fact or Belief [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I had to subtract 2 stars just because of the horribly dated look of this presentation, the cheap illustrations (not that they are awful in themselves - but cartoonish and don't aid in making this look serious, perhaps this is meant for younger viewers?) and the absolute claim of evolution having no scientific support, which is simply not true. 2.5 stars might be more accurate, but I rounded up instead of down based on the section I did enjoy.

This video is worth getting just for (and perhaps only for) the section on sedimentation. I don't think it overthrows the current thought, but interesting and shows through actual lab experiments how a verticle view of the fossil record might not be as absolute as it tends to be presented in science courses. The experiment shown indicates that a strata layer might not be uniform in age all the way across. (Even if there wasn't a clear dilineation of strata and cross strata - and more concerned with the idea of strata versus "layer."

Though the presentation detracts, I do believe there is truth in the seeming impossibility of life arising from non-life. There also seems to be some truth that natural selection will tend to reduce the variety in a species and seems, in itself, a bit contra to aiding evolution and more to cause species to be less genetically varied and to settle in equilibrium rather than promoting possible mutations and genetic drift. I'm not saying evolution can't happen, I believe it has, just that there are questions and problems and like any other scientific field there will be ideas that are tried and rejected or tweeked and new ideas being brought in over time.

Though not directly applicable to the video itself, I'd like to address some of the attitude in reviews. One said there was no mention of radioactive isotopes in dating rocks, but there was a fairly detailed section on just that subject. Perhaps this video has been expanded, but it was covered even if a one-sided presentation.

The idea that people need to go take courses at an ACCREDITED college is just insulting people and no help. Though not my major, I have had college level science from accredited universities, including 12 hours of anthropology (half physical and half social). Our beginning physical anthro class did a faux dig over a weekend, sectioning off a couple of areas and tagging items we found. The basic presumption was the higher in the soil the more recent the item, the lower the older. Most likely true for that limited in scope of a dig, but a very simplistic view of dating items that is presumed in science. I do have to credit the professor as saying that wasn't an absolute, but that is definately the major impression you get even on the college level.

The only decent attempt at refuting the sedimentation information from this video I've found was from an old-earth creationist site mostly saying to go see the grand canyon. Talkorigins.org basically blows it off with one or two lines. I'd like to see more detail than that.

I'd also like to thank my high school biology teacher for having brought the Bible in the class and discussing people's concerns, looking at what he thought was in the creation narratives that seemed compatible to science, treating people with respect instead of insinuating they were stupid for their faith. I doubt he would be allowed to do that if he were still teaching today.

I liked it because firstly it's non-religious. Secondly, it features various scientists worldwide talking about the problems inherent in evolution theory - such as simple illustrations for how carbon and uranium dating work - and the assumptions that rest on them. It includes experimental data that describes and shows how rock layers actually form - throwing the whole "fossil" evidence used to support evolution theory into total disarray. You can see it for yourself how it works. While it does feel as if it has been made for a younger audience, adults who have seen it have often been quite stunned by it for the most part. My original copy also came with an insert listing the many credentials of those involved (some on an international scale - we're not talking about a few little nobodies). I lost my first copy in a fire and had a hard time getting it the first time but it was well worth it and I've ordered it again through Amazon!

With 1977 cinematography, and 1987 computer graphics, this item was thrown together by 1997. It somehow managed to win a Catholic award in Poland for that same year, but for the rest of the world, it didn't pass the smell test. This video blatantly confuses cross-bed strata with ordinary strata, fails to mention the importance of radio-isotopes in reference to uranium/lead radiometric dating, and outright lies about the samples taken by the Glomar Challenger. Despite all this, and my low star rating, I'm recommending everyone buy this video. It's good for a laugh or two, and is a lesson to all about just how far creationist propaganda will go.

... This video shows conclusively through interviews with world reknown authorities in the scientific disciplines of paleontology,biology, genetics,and sedimentology that the theory of evolution is completely bankrupt of any scientific reality except in the unsubstantiated religous beliefs of darwinists. The most powerful video I've ever seen particularly in its shakeup of the very fundamental foundations of historical geology. Quit listening to the establishment and watch it for yourself.

In this now 9 year old video, a mere 5 scientists voice their concerns with Evolutionary Theory.

I would direct those of you who think 5 scientists is alot to the National Center for Science Education website - "http://www.ncseweb.org/article.asp?category=18" where they have Project Steve. Project Steve is a collection of ONLY scientists named Steve who agree with a statement endorsing Evolution. That is about 1% of all scientists. So far over 700 Steve's have signed it.

If 700 Steve's agree evolution is a good science idea, why can't you?

Evolution is no longer a theory, it is a scientific fact. Unfortunately there are people who will believe whatever someone with a Bible agenda tells them, no matter how bizarre. "I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't BELIEVED it" is their motto. There are so many important facts left out or twisted. Notice that those who are educated in the sciences of geology, anthropology, astronomy, palentology call this video bunk and the religious folks love it. I enjoy educating those people who think the earth is 6000 yrs old, evolution is a theory, and the Bible is a "Good" book. Remember..."Where reason ends, religion begins."!!! PEOPLE!!, we who study sciences have NO AGENDA! If the fossil records, radiometric dating, DNA and mtDNA evidence, sea floor spreading, stalagmites, ice cores from glaciers that show thousands of yrs of layering, and all other facts supported the Bible... WE would be the first to declare to the world what the creationists believe is true, but its just NOT! And adhering to superstition and myths makes those people more silly than they will ever know. This video is just more babble from folks who are trying to make square pegs fit in round holes. Go to your nearest ACCREDITED college and take a few courses and LEARN for yourself. Anyone who has a Bible agenda will distort the truth to fit the Bible, they always have and always will.

More rubbish by the religious right to misrepresent scientific fact. The video selects facts that support its assertions(poorly in most cases) and ignores a vast amount of others that refute the videos claims against evolution. For those who are unfamiliar with the way science works or who have already decided not to believe in evolution, this video will tell you what you want to hear. It will not tell the truth.