The theory of intelligent design might not pull in as big an audience as, say, a "Spider-Man" sequel, but that didn't deter filmmaker Nathan Frankowski from tackling the subject.

"Expelled: No Intelligence Required," a satirical documentary, opened Friday in 1,000 theaters nationwide, including three in Colorado Springs. The film examines - often with funny asides by star Ben Stein - how educators and scientists who promote intelligent design are losing their positions and being denied tenure at universities.

Among the pro-intelligent design scholars appearing in the film is Richard Weikart, professor of history at California State University at Stanislaus who grew up in Colorado Springs and graduated from Mitchell High School.

Intelligent design is the theory that an intelligence created the universe and humankind. It's a contrast to the theory of Darwinism, which espouses evolution and natural selection over a creator as the engine of life.

Critics say intelligent design is a religious idea that's dressed up as creationism, and not a scientific theory.

In the film, Weikart talks about the connection he sees between the atrocities brought about by the Third Reich and the rise in the early 20th century of social Darwinism, a philosophical idea that applies Charles Darwin's survival-of-the-fittest methodology to human society.

"There are social and ethical implications of viewing the world as a product of a mindless process," said Weikart, author of "From Darwin to Hitler: Evolutionary Ethics, Eugenics and Racism in Germany."

Adolf Hitler's goal, Weikart said, was to advance human evolution by purging Germany and Eastern Europe of what he perceived as inferior genetic stock.

Darwinism gave a "scientific legitimization" to the Nazis' atrocities, he said, by arguing that the strong survive in nature.

As a national movement, intelligent design peaked in 2005 when Christians fought in 16 states to have it taught in schools alongside evolution. Then, in November 2005, a much-publicized court ruling in Dover, Pa., barred the theory from being taught in science classes at a Dover middle school. Because intelligent design is a form of creationism, the court ruled, teaching it in a public school violated the separation of church and state.

The idea for "Expelled" came about because of a backlash against academics who publicly supported intelligent design at that time.

While "Expelled" might reignite the intelligent design debate, the film has already generated controversy among several evolutionary biologists, including P.Z. Meyers and Richard Dawkins, who appear in the film. The biologists say producers told them that their segments were part of a documentary examining the intersection of religion and science, not a film advocating intelligent design.

Weikart, who was not involved in the film's development, said nothing deceptive occurred. "They just weren't told what angle the film was going to take on intelligent design," said Weikart, who lives in Snelling, Calif.

Though excited about the film's release, Weikart worries it might cause division.

"I hope the film doesn't polarize and alienate," he said. "I would like to see it build a conversation among people."

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