Professors discuss Scopes trial at forum
Four professors discussed the long-term effects of the 1925 trial of John Scopes, who was convicted of teaching the theory of evolution.
Published Oct. 28, 2005
Four professors discussed the importance of the 1925 Scopes trial and the precedent the case set for teaching evolution in public schools during a forum Tuesday night.
Chancellor Brady Deaton moderated the event in Monsanto Auditorium in the Life Sciences Center. It was the fifth of Deaton's Global Issues Forums and precedes a production based on the transcripts of the trial by The L.A. Theatre Works, which will be held 7 p.m. Sunday at Jesse Hall.
In the trial, Tennessee biology teacher John Scopes was accused of violating a state law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. Scopes's attorney, Clarence Darrow, said the law showed a religious preference by the state. Although Scopes was convicted in the trial, the Tennessee Supreme Court later released him.
"The trial was a symbolic last stand against the progression of the 20th century," said Robert Collins, professor of history and the first professor to speak at the forum.
Collins said the Scopes trial was the first great media event of the century, leading to a culture war that would last decades.
Collins also said that though the trial publicized Darwin's theories, the Scopes trial inspired other states to pass laws against the teaching of evolution similar to the statute that was challenged in the trial.
"This was not a battle of science versus religion but more of a way to anchor history," professor of religious studies Richard Callahan said.
Callahan said the conflict in the trial was not between science and religion. He said the trial was a specific battle between Protestant Christian fundamentalism and modernity. Callahan explained that the term "fundamentalism" evolved specifically from an early-20th century collection of papers titled "The Fundamentals," which endorsed a literal interpretation of scripture.
Callahan talked about how the Roman Catholic Church was largely absent from the trial.
"Catholics never relied solely on the Bible," Callahan said.
Professor of journalism Betty Winfield discussed the media's role in the trial.
"The Scopes trial was a media circus," Winfield said. She said Chicago's WGN-FM gave the first-ever live coverage of a court case and about 100 reporters covered the case, including several British journalists.
Winfield said decreased political activity — Congress was not in session at the time — turned the media's attention to the Tennessee trial.
"Nothing was going on," Winfield said.
Winfield also described Missouri's connection to the trial.
She said Darrow invited Conway Curtis, an MU professor, to testify in defense of evolution.
Winfield said the jury never heard the testimony because the trial judge restricted testimony from witnesses not directly related to the case.