This coming July marks the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial, the event, more than any other, that stigmatized Fundamentalist Christianity in the minds of many Americans. The trial also affirmed the “Science and Christianity are at war with each other” story, which historians of science today recognize is a self-perpetuating myth. In anticipation of media celebrations about the trial, it is worth informing yourself of some of the basic issues surrounding it so that you can have fruitful conversations about it with friends and family.

Salvo Magazine is devoting its forthcoming July issue to the Scopes Trial, which will give you very brief but excellent background material beyond what a Google search will yield. The diverse authors of these articles make important points:

  • Most people’s exposure to the Scopes Trial comes through the 1960 movie Inherit the Wind, which badly distorts what occurred during the actual trial.

  • William Jennings Bryan became opposed to Darwinism because textbooks used it to support scientific racism (some races are more evolved, and thus superior to others) and because Darwinism was used to justify militarism (‘might makes right’) in World War I.

  • Media bias was blatant (yes, even a century ago) and news commentators exploited the trial to sway public opinion against conservative Christians, portraying them as bigoted, ignorant Bible-thumpers.

  • Bryan’s criticisms of Darwinism remain valid today.

The Salvo issue also includes positive articles about design in the universe and how Intelligent Design theorists are uncovering increasing evidence of a Creator.

Particularly sobering to me was the mention of ‘human zoos’ and other popular (and degrading) exhibits of peoples who were considered inferior, and how the roots of Planned Parenthood are based in eugenics and social Darwinism’s call to eliminate the weak and unfit.

The issue should soon be available online at www.salvomag.com. If you want to delve into the Scopes Trial in more depth, Edward Larson’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning Summer of the Gods is an excellent (and disturbing) read.

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The Scopes centennial can provide you the opportunity over the coming months to wisely and winsomely correct the cultural stereotypes and misinformation about an event that still poisons many people against Christianity.