Scopes and Evolution Lost the Monkey Trial, But Modernity Won
"I'm going to put a Bible expert on the stand," Darrow told a friendly minister. "Greatest in the world—he thinks."
Monday was a scorcher, and the proceedings were moved to a platform in the courthouse yard. Two thousand spectators sat in rows of benches, or stood in the shade of the maple trees.
"The defense desires to call Mr. Bryan as a witness..." Hays told the judge. There was bedlam.
Bryan miscalculated, accepted the challenge, and took the stand. "It was his one opportunity to recoup the glory" of his earlier career, Scopes said. "He underestimated Clarence Darrow."
For the next two hours, penned on that tiny stage, the gladiators fought but three or four feet—often, just inches—apart. Darrow would stand with arms folded, or slouch in a chair, or lean, half-sitting, on a pinewood table. Bryan glared from a swivel chair, clutching a palm-leaf fan in his fist. By the end they would be standing, shouting insults, shaking their fists in each other's faces.
Darrow: You believe the story of the flood to be a literal interpretation?
Bryan: Yes, sir.
Darrow: When was that flood ... ?
Bryan: I never made that calculation.
Darrow: What do you think?
Bryan: I do not think about things I don' t think about.
Darrow: Do you ever think about things you do think about?
In the course of that famous clash, Darrow got Bryan to admit that Genesis might be allegorical—not literal—and not science. It was a body blow to Fundamentalism; more so when the Monkey Trial—and Bryan's resultant death—was popularized by Broadway and Hollywood, 30 years later, in Inherit the Wind.
Yes, Scopes was convicted. And, yes, the statue erected outside the Rhea County courthouse is of Bryan, not Darrow. And when the Republican candidates were asked if they believed in evolution in the 2008 campaign, three contenders for the presidency actually said no.
But modernity triumphed. And freedom of thought and scientific inquiry was secured.
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Reader Comments
Scopes Trial
Thank you for publishing this article and bringing this to the notice of all. Scopes Trial, largely forgotten today by many, is a magnificient chapter in the history of Democracy and Freedom, that should be model to all, irrespective of the final judgement.
CHESTERTON DEBATES DARROW....
Was an interesting debate - before a live audience. The debate was about God... Darrow clearly lost - the audience polled about 70% Chesterton. The transcripts also show the duel between two brilliant minds - but only one logical one. Logic versus humanistic, bombastic cynicism.
Read, "Chesterton - The Apostle of Common Sense" It might re-introduce logical thinking to a society of secular, progressive Obamatrons. Though I doubt it - the educational system has just about destroyed the process.
Science and God - No Problem
The fact that there is evolution has absolutely no bearing on the existence of God. Evolution and adaptation would be needed in any perfect, non-static design - In other words, it’s simply a necessary part of the perfection.
It is also incorrect to suppose that the Bible should be taught as science or history. There is truth and wisdom there, but the effect of “Sola Scriptura” as the only avenue by which to approach God or creation is to limit our understanding - the Bible is a great book, it is not the only book. I note here that nowhere in Christ’s teachings did he mention the need to write a New Testament or Bible. However, he did say to “listen” to His Church - this digression is worth exploring in depth- at another time .
Furthermore, to suppose that science has, or will ever have, all the answers is as weak a position as, “Because the Bible tells me so.”
Science will never be able to answer the simple question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?’ You must have either “eternal, preexisting” time, matter, energy, laws of physics, thermodynamics, gravity and one heck of a lot of “coincidence” ( on the order of many billions to one) - or a creator outside of time. There is no third choice.
A valid scientific approach would consider the possibility of design as well as trick of chance. An open mind would consider the dimension of time, space and matter as a creation - instead of merely assuming it always existed - a physical universe without beginning or end is no less far fetched than a spiritual one.
Now, to you atheists and agnostics (nihilist lite) who believe that Christianity is akin to insanity, I'd like to point out that your belief system is merely the opposite pole... Instead of Creation, you believe in the Big Bang - which in fact, is meaningless, and is nothing more than Genesis with fireworks. Instead of design you rely upon fortunate coincidence and happenstance. Instead of accepting that there is Absolute Truth, Perfect Morality and Eternal Justice you worship the idea of impenetrable skepticism, obstinate relativism and absolute moral subjectivity - all of which make the basics of human existence , right and wrong - good and evil - love and hate, not only unknowable but irrelevant... A belief system leading to an ephemeral and shifting landscape without bounds or parameters. A meaningless nihilistic world, without purpose or reason - a dimension easy to get lost in.
In closing I’d like to note that God has nothing to fear from an open mind - nor should science.
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