Religion Versus Science in The Scopes Monkey Trial
The stage was set in Dayton, Tennessee. The leading actor in this show was a twenty five-year-old science teacher named John T. Scopes. Scopes was under the direction of advancing America. The playbill read The Scopes “Monkey” Trial. In 1925 John T. Scopes was encouraged to challenge the Butler Law. This law had been passed by a small town in Dayton, Tennessee to prohibit teaching contra to those in the Bible. Teaching from an evolutionary text, Scopes broke the law and gained the attention of the National media. The concentration of the media on the Scopes Trial effectively presented the contrasting ideas of a religious town and an evolving country.
The town in Dayton, Tennessee was both religious and stable. People in this town were seen holding signs marked with the command to “Read Your Bible” (Ginger 93). The inhabitants here had adopted the teachings of the Bible in order to feel secure within a time of change. “In rural areas, particularly in the South and Midwest, Americans turned to their faith for comfort and stability” (Scopes 12). The town would hold on to what they knew. People in Dayton had no desire to travel forward with the roaring twenties. William Jennings Bryan was the leading defender of the Butler Law as well as heading the prosecution.
Bryan was determined to defend as literally true every word of the Bible. In the deepest sense, he had to defend it; he needed reassurance and certainty, and since childhood had learned to rely on the Bible as the source of reassurance and certainty. (Ginger 41). Bryan would be the leader to a people who held on to religion and the past.
In contrast to this small town were the advancing views of America. The twenties continued to roar towards modernism. “Breakthroughs in technology, the increase in material wealth, and the beginning of an empire seemingly heralded the upward march of civilization, with America on the forefront” (Dumenil 6). In all directions, it was clear that America was moving forward. Transportation was a prime example of this advancement. Innovator Henry Ford introduced his “ Ford Miracle” to the public (Dumenil 6). Economies and the social values also began to advance. “Dubious get-rich-quick schemes and fads…contributed to a tone of feverish frivolity” (Dumenil 7). People began to lead fast paced lives with the desire to become rich, quickly.
“But you must admit, Pastor, that not every decree in the Bible makes sense in this day and age.” “Only because you [Moretti] are taking the verses out of historical context-“ “Mr. Lincoln,” Angela Moretti says flatly. “You did first.” (Sing You Home p.388)
David Walker was “born a free black in late eighteenth century Wilmington,” however, not much more information is known about his early life. During his childhood years, Walker was likely exposed to the Methodist church. During the nineteenth century, the Methodist church appealed directly to blacks because they, in particular, “provided educational resources for blacks in the Wilmington region.” Because his education and religion is based in the Methodist theology, Methodism set the tone and helped to shape the messages Walker conveys through his Appeal to the black people of the United States of America. As evident in his book, Walker’s “later deep devotion to the African Methodist Episcopal faith could surely argue for an earlier exposure to a black-dominated church” because it was here he would have been exposed to blacks managing their own dealings, leading classes, and preaching. His respect and high opinion of the potential of the black community is made clear when Walker says, “Surely the Americans must think...
Arguably, throughout history, the most influential book ever written has been “The Holy Bible.” Whether it is a historical document, a children’s story, a fable, a story of moral lessons, or a multitude of novels; “The Holy Bible” and its themes have been passed down through generations. If one were to look at “The Holy Bible” as a whole then one could say that the themes of the Bible are all about freedom and how one has a responsibility to keep that freedom. In “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King relates to several themes mentioned in “The Holy Bible.” Themes such as justice, non-violence, equality, and freedom in King’s work greatly reflect what freedom and responsibility really mean.
Slavery was a dominant part of the political and social arenas of 1800’s America. However, it was not homogenous as it divided America into two distinct groups: those who supported it and those who did not. Traditionally, the states in the north had been anti-slavery while the states in the south had been pro-slavery. Southern life and economy depended on slavery and therefore staunchly supported the continued legal status of slavery. The northern states on the other hand recognized the inhumane nature of slavery and campaigned to establish equality for all citizens. In order to establish solid reasoning for their stance, both pro-slave and anti-slave groups turned to theological inspiration for their actions. The Bible inspired both pro-slavery advocates and anti-slavery abolitionists alike. Religion was used in order to justify slavery and also to condemn it.
... ago before support and treatments were available for families. To communicate she would throw tantrums and scream. By the age of three, Grandin began to speak, and her mother worked with her 30 minutes every day so that she was not institutionalized. Grandin excelled in high school and graduated from college with a degree in psychology and a PhD in cattle and animal science (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). While biological factors have been connected to autism, no single factor is identified as a cause of this disorder. Grandin meets the criteria for autism diagnosis because as a child she had impairments in three major areas of development: social interaction, communication, and behavior, interest, or activities. Behavioral interventions are used to increase functional skills, promote the use of speech and reward appropriate behavior (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
The 1920's were a time where North America became modernized. Whether it was the music, the culture or the growth in technology, this time era is known to most people as the point where America advanced itself to become a world renowned country. An advancement that will be focused on is the Ford Model T. During this time owning a car was a symbol of wealth. Henry Ford, the creator of the Model T, made a system that revolutionized the automobile industry as we know it today. Henry Ford made it possible for people with an average income to own a motor vehicle by creating the assembly line and the theory of mass production. "The horse, which had been the chief means of land transportation for 3,500 years, had given way to the automobile, and the country's largest industry had been born." (Gordon)
In the novel Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, Butler tells a story of an African- American woman named Dana who travels from 1976 in California to the 1800’s in Maryland. Dana goes back in time to save Rufus, her ancestor, every time he is faced with life threatening situations. Throughout her journey in Maryland she gets life experience of what being a slave was like in the past. In the novel we learn of two slaves, Sarah and Alice, who live on the Weylin plantation. Sarah, an older slave, is the cook on the plantation who seems to make herself adjust to life as a slave. Alice who is owned by Rufus struggles to make their relationship work. Through the characters of Dana, Alice, and Sarah the reader is able to understand the emotional endurance of the psychological toll of slavery.
The bureaucratization of business in the 1920’s meant that more people could be employed in higher paying white-collar jobs than before, including, for the first time, housewives. This new income combined with the reduced prices for goods that resulted from mechanized production, assembly lines and a general decrease in the cost of technology created a thriving consumerist middle class that went on to fuel the economy in all sectors, especially the upper classes. Likewise, during World War II Americans saved up around 150 billion dollars, and this sum combined with the income of the GI Bill allowed normal people to buy expensive things, from houses to cars to electronics to education at a rapid rate, fueling the trademark prosperity of the 1950’s. The new automobile culture of the 50’s spawned new businesses that catered to mobile Americans, such as nicer and more standardized hotels like Holiday Inn, and drive-up restaurants like McDonalds. Just as the culture of the 1920’s was transformed by modernist ideas, the world of the 1950’s was reinvigorated by the introduction of the automobile to the middle class....
We can see all about the history is Chinese art in the section of the Florence and Herbert Irving Asian Wing in the museum. We can see a lot of bronzewares that dated from Shang Dynasty (1600-1046B.C.) to Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.), and ceramic goods in different century of China. In the glass case it shows three kinds of ritual wine vessels, it is the ritual wine beaker(Gu) and ritual wine vessel. It dated in 13th century and 15th Century. Also is also cast in late Shang Dynasty to early Zhou Dynasty. The ritual wine beaker is also the utensils for drinking wine, the shape of the beaker like a vase.
This publication presents a documentary of Sjostrand and Sharipah’s catalogue of photographs, illustrations and captions to help us learn about the Wanli Shipwreck, where more than 1600 pieces of Chinese kraak porcelain were recovered. The solid archaeological context for the porcelains contributes important new knowledge to research of 17th century Chinese ceramics. Sjostrand and Sharipah begin by explaining the archaeological process, before displaying images of the wreckage and the ceramics salvaged. Subsequently, they lay down context on Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain, and after equipping the reader with this information, they finally analyse the ceramics found from the shipwreck, and not without the aid of various illustrations.
Actions of Environmental Defence Canada had resulted in many changes. In 2017, its actions had led to the flying of 35 Blue Flags in Canada, a price on carbon across Canada, protection of 3,000 waterways across Canada from an energy east oil spill, banning of Microbeads from consumer products in Canada, etc. Nevertheless, its actions had not resulted in a change in every environmental issue. There are still many environmental issues facing Canadian society that had not yet been solved. That is the reason why Environmental Defence Canada continues working to inspire change and seek solutions.
Stanley Kramer's film, Inherit the Wind, examines a trial based on the 1925 Scopes trial in Dayton, Tennessee. Often referred to as "The Trial of the Century" (Scopes Trial Web Page), the Scopes trial illuminated the controversy between the Christian theory of creation and the more scientific theory of evolution. John Scopes, a high school biology teacher, was arrested for illegally teaching evolutionism to his class. "The meaning of the trial emerged because it was seen as a conflict of social and intellectual values" (Scopes Trial Web Page). Kramer's film dramatizes this conflict between the Christian believers and the evolutionists in "Hillsboro, heavenly Hillsboro, the buckle on the Bible belt" (Inherit the Wind). Prosecutor Matthew Brady represents the values of fundamental Christianity while defense attorney Henry Drummond is the voice of reason and science. Although the two men have been good friends and partners in the past, the case in Hillsboro illuminates the difference in their values. Through the scene on the porch with Matthew Brady and Henry Drummond, director Stanley Kramer illustrates the incessant tug-of-war between religion and science. More specifically, camera angle and Drummond's metaphor of the "Golden Dancer" help deliver Kramer's belief in evolutionism.
The Scopes trial, writes Edward Larson, to most Americans embodies “the timeless debate over science and religion.” (265) Written by historians, judges, and playwrights, the history of the Scopes trial has caused Americans to perceive “the relationship between science and religion in . . . simple terms: either Darwin or the Bible was true.” (265) The road to the trial began when Tennessee passed the Butler Act in 1925 banning the teaching of evolution in secondary schools. It was only a matter of time before a young biology teacher, John T. Scopes, prompted by the ACLU tested the law. Spectators and newspapermen came from allover to witness whether science or religion would win the day. Yet below all the hype, the trial had a deeper meaning. In Summer for the Gods, Edward Larson argues that a more significant battle was waged between individual liberty and majoritarian democracy. Even though the rural fundamentalist majority legally banned teaching evolution in 1925, the rise of modernism, started long before the trial, raised a critical question for rural Americans: should they publicly impose their religious beliefs upon individuals who believed more and more in science.
The novel Kindred written by Octavia Butler begins with the protagonist Dana going back in time to 1815 where slavery and violence are the norm in Maryland. However, the society she currently lives in is 1976 when slavery was abolished but there is still tension between white and black individuals (Smith Elford). The position as a slave comprises of physical, psychological and sexual abuse without an escape; Dana demonstrates the ramifications of acting as a slave as they are imprinted on her while attempting to survive. Even though she is able to return home when she assumes she will die, each action she makes in Maryland continue to follow her back to 1976.
The relationship between science and religion has been debated for many years. With strong personal opinions and beliefs, it is not surprising that no progress has been made in this argument. In my opinion, I feel as though religion and science have to be related in some way. There is no possible way people can separate two things that attempt to prove the same facts. My belief is that a metaphorical bridge has to be formed to connect the two. Personally, I feel as though science can be a compliment to religion, and that the scientific discoveries can and should be used to prove that God exists, not disprove it. If science did this, then the relationship between science and religion could be a friendly one. If that happened, people could stop debating and fighting over the two, allowing priests and scientists to talk and work together peacefully.