Chattanooga State Technical Community College invites the public to the local premiere of the documentary film Paradise Lost: The Religious Life of Charles Darwin on Thursday, February 12.  The screening begins at 7 p.m. in Room C30 in the Center for Advanced Technology, which is located on Chattanooga State’s main campus at 4501 Amnicola Highway.  The event is open to the public free of charge.

David Wollert, the writer, director, and producer of the film, is also an associate professor of biology at Chattanooga State.  His passion for science, complimented by his innate interest in filmmaking, was the foundation for this project.  “The film is not intended to be contentious or divisive,” stresses Wollert.  “Conversely, the film portrays Charles Darwin as a conflicted nineteenth century scientist, whose disciplined research, personal losses, and religious reflections ordained him to a state of perpetual soul searching.  He was not an opponent of Christianity nor was he a secular scientist.  Instead, Darwin was an honest, vulnerable human being.”

Following the 50 minute screening, Wollert will lead a group discussion about Charles Darwin and evolution.

For more information about the screening of the documentary, Paradise Lost: The Religious Life of Charles Darwin, contact David Wollert by email at david.wollert@chattanoogastate.edu or by telephone at 423.697.3112. For information about Chattanooga State and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.