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== Respect for intellectual freedom ==

== Respect for intellectual freedom ==

On April 12, 2008, Dr. Mercola commented on the then-upcoming release of [[Ben Stein]]'s documentary [[motion picture]], ''[[Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed]]''. He made no attempt either to denounce the film or to embrace its findings. Instead, he decried the position of the film's detractors that the filmmaker and those whom he champions should "just shut up," saying that the willful suppression of debate on controversial research findings is an inappropriate response to an often misplaced fear. (The fear involved, he suggested, might be of a requirement to change one's mind or one's approach to life in light of new and wondrous research findings.) He cited other examples of attempted suppression of controversial opinions, both scientific and political, and made abundantly clear that such suppression, in or against whatever cause, was harmful to freedom. Consistent with that, he opened his article to comment; the comments, often scathing, have run fifty-fifty on both sides of whether ''Expelled'' is a good film or not, and Dr. Mercola does not seem to have censored any content other than what might be pointlessly obscene.<ref name=article>"[http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/12/the-price-scientists-pay-for-even-questioning-darwinism.aspx The Price Scientists Pay for Even Questioning Darwinism], ''<http://www.mercola.com/>''. Retrieved April 12, 2008.</ref>

On April 12, 2008, Dr. Mercola commented on the then-upcoming release of [[Ben Stein]]'s documentary [[motion picture]], ''[[Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed]]''. His commentaries on his theories make clear that he is an old-earth [[evolutionist]]. Yet far from denouncing this film, he accepted Ben Stein's thesis as probably correct, and cimpared it to other examples of attempted suppression of controversial opinions, both scientific and political.

 

He then asked a very bold and forthright question of the film's detractors: "What are you afraid of?" He suggested that no one ought to be afraid of research that suggests that one ought to change one's worldview. He went so far as to admit the possibility that our [[DNA]] might indeed be the result of an [[intelligent design]] and seemed to think that the idea of such design comported well with his total-health theories. More to the point, he sternly rebuked those who would stifle debate, in or against whatever cause. In summary, he took no side in the debate, but rather decried any notion by either side to suppress the other.

 

Consistent with that, he opened his article to comment. The comments, often scathing, have run fifty-fifty on both sides of whether ''Expelled'' is a good film or not, and Dr. Mercola does not seem to have censored any content other than what might be pointlessly obscene.<ref name=article>"[http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/12/the-price-scientists-pay-for-even-questioning-darwinism.aspx The Price Scientists Pay for Even Questioning Darwinism], ''<http://www.mercola.com/>''. Retrieved April 12, 2008.</ref>

== References ==

== References ==