Scopes Trial Essay - 1167 Words

The twentieth century Scopes trial may have started out as a simple debate between evolutionists and creationists, but quickly escalated to a debate of historic proportions. The 1920s were times of change in the United States, from women getting the right to vote to prohibition to changes in education, such as the Butler Act, which created unease and animosity throughout the country. The Butler Act of 1925 prohibited the teaching of evolution and any other theories that deny the story of the divine creation of man as taught in the Bible in all Universities and public schools in Tennessee. John Scopes, a high-school biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee decided to test this law. He was found guilty of teaching evolution to his high-school†¦show more content†¦Giving students freedom in their academic lives encouraged students to form their own opinions. Teachers had biased feelings towards those who denied students the right to the whole truth because of specific religions, be cause it raises an uneducated generation. Fundamentalists needed to realize that as times changed9 modernization of education is necessary, regardless of religious beliefs so students receive the full truth and become liberated people. If students are restricted from certain topics and are only taught one view on a few subjects then there will be no new or different ways of thinking, rendering education pointless. â€Å"Without freedom in the intellectual life, and without the inspiration of uncensored discovery and discussion, there could ultimately be no scholarship, no schools at all and no education.† The American Federation of Teachers expressed their fear for the future of education and how it would be constrained due to traditionalism, in contradiction of Sparks and other creationists. Dudley Field Malone, an attorney on the defense team for the Scopes trial, argued for the importance of teaching science and religion to fully educate the students and allow them to form their own opinions and ideas. Malone made the point that the old generation owes the new generation all the facts and theories acquired by learning, studying, and observing so they have the opportunity to enhance and better the generationsShow MoreRelatedEssay on Inherit the Wind (Scopes Trial)1082 Words   |  5 Pageswritten by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee to inform its readers about the injustice of a law that limited the freedom of an ordinary citizen. This play is based upon actual events that happened to an individual, John Scopes, in Dayton, Tennessee during the 1920s. This famous Monkey Trial not only allowed people to begin to accept new theories about the origin of man, but also showed that they did not have to limit themselves in other areas of life. In the beginning of the play, the authors tryRead MoreOutcome of The Scopes Monkey Trial Essay1562 Words   |  7 PagesThe Scopes Trial, formally known as The State of Tennessee vs. Scopes but given the nickname â€Å"The Monkey Trial†, has been credited as starting the popular legal dispute between evolution and creationism in the court, and its impact in the 20’s was immeasurable. The interpretation of the case is just as popular, if not more, than the actual result of the case. The worldwide attention and media coverage the case received produced many opinions. Scholar’s opinions range from describing the case asRead MoreEssay on Inherit the wind (Scopes trial)1041 Words   |  5 Pageswritten by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee to inform its readers about the injustice of a law that limited the freedom of an ordinary citizen. This play is based upon actual events that happened to an individual, John Scopes, in Dayton, Tennessee during the 1920’s. 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Clarke, June 5, 1998, in the essay â€Å"Presidents, Experts, and Asteroids,† pp 5322-3]. Sentices have found many fossils that show the evolution of certain species. The fossils show the species at different stages of their development. This contradicts the basis of creatisum which states