In 1925, Tennessee passed a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in a public classroom. The American Civil Liberties Union offered to help defend any teacher who would willfully violate the law as a test of its Constitutionality. In Dayton, Tennessee, a group of locals hungry for publicity for their town recruited a young science teacher and football coach, John Scopes, to serve as the accused. His accusation, arrest and prosecution were arranged and the ensuing trial became a media sensation. Reporters and spectators descended on the small town of Dayton in the sweltering summer of 1925 for the historic trial. Clarence Darrow, the most famous trial lawyer in the U.S. at the time, volunteered his service for Mr. Scopes. The state was represented by a three-time Democratic nominee for President, William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist Christian. Known as �The Monkey Trial� in reference to a misunderstanding about human origins, the proceedings brought the conflict between modern evolutionary theory and the traditional Christian belief in divine creation to the world�s stage. The main argument of the defense was that a majority cannot dictate what should be taught in science class through legislation. Darrow also argued that Creationism, or the belief that God created the world, the animals and the first humans as told in the Biblical book of Genesis, was unconstitutional because it promoted the view of a particular religion. The trial climaxed when Darrow called Bryan himself to the witness stand as a Biblical expert. He then proceeded to expose Bryan�s lack of scientific knowledge and skewer his reliance on Biblical literalism. The exchanges between the great orators were so dramatic that they inspired the play and subsequent movie �Inherit the Wind�. Scopes was found guilty of violating the law and fined a small amount. The Tennessee Supreme Court reversed the decision a year later due to a technicality and then dismissed the case. Therefore, it could not be appealed to a higher court. The anti-evolution law was not repealed. Following the trial, Arkansas and Mississippi enacted anti-evolution measures. Even today, states argue about evolution in the classroom which just shows how contentious the issue of modern science versus traditional beliefs remains.
- Sharon Hill (Scientist) |
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