Podcasts about Scopes Trial

Peter Bernhardt takes us back in time to the trial as told by Brenda Wineapple in her book Keeping the Faith – God, Democracy and the trial that riveted a nation.

The doctors have returned, picking up where they had left off, discussing the basis of our current manias, the slippery and often inchoate concepts of Secularism and Modernity. Where did they begin, what do they mean, and how do we approach them are some of the topics addressed. This time, they finish the show notes. Items mentioned in this podcast: Scopes Trial: https://tinyurl.com/MoritzScopes100 Menken on Machen: https://tinyurl.com/MenkenonMachen Othodoxy and Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

We announce a great victory from the Arkansas courts blocking the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. After reporting state/church news in California, West Virginia, Iowa and West Point Military Academy, we hear the Tom Lehrer song "I Got it from Agnes" and the "1919 Influenza Blues" by Essie Ray Jenkins. Then, we listen to the talk given at the Scopes Trial Centennial last month by Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation.

Send us a textI'm honored to welcome Dr. Edward J. Larson to this episode of the podcast. Dr. Larson is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion, a landmark work that reexamines the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial with fresh insight and scholarly depth.In our conversation, Dr. Larson challenges the familiar narrative popularized by Inherit the Wind, revealing the Scopes Trial as far more than a simple clash between science and religion. It was, in fact, a complex cultural moment shaped by political ambition, regional identity, national media, and the anxieties of a rapidly modernizing society.We explore key figures—Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan, and John Scopes—and their roles in this iconic legal battle. Dr. Larson offers fascinating context around Bryan's progressive credentials, his anti-evolution stance, and his public persona as a speaker and political leader. We also discuss the broader implications of the trial for American legal and educational systems, and how its legacy continues to inform today's debates over religion in public life, science education, and Christian nationalism.Dr. Larson reflects on his personal and academic journey, from his early years to his study from college, to grad school, to law school, and his doctoral dissertation on the history of science. He shares what inspired his deep investigation into the Scopes Trial—ultimately culminating in the Pulitzer Prize in 1998. This episode is both thought-provoking and timely. I invite you to join me for a meaningful conversation that sheds new light on a pivotal moment in American history. SHOW NOTESKen's Substack: Scopes in 2025Support the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

In 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial rocked the nation—hailed as the ultimate showdown between science and religion. But behind the headlines and Hollywood dramatizations lies a scandalous and largely untold story. What really happened in that Tennessee courtroom? Was it truly about education—or was it a carefully orchestrated media circus designed to mock faith and promote evolution? In this episode with Dr. Brad Harrub, we revisit the Scopes Trial scandal and uncover the truth that history books often ignore. You'll hear shocking facts about how evidence was manipulated, how public perception was swayed by bias, and how this case marked a turning point in the battle for the classroom—and the culture.

Send us a textA Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, The Original Fight Over Science In Schools by Debbie LevyWhen John T. Scopes was interrupted during a game of tennis after finishing his first year of teaching in Tennessee, and asked to go down and talk to some of the local townspeople at the drugstore, he didn't think much of it. But when he arrived he found some guys planning something big, something to put the sleepy little town of Dayton, TN on the map, forever. And it would be an issue that we still deal with to this very day. Recommended for grades 8 and up. Support the show

The Scopes Trial is one of the most famous court cases in American history, and this year marks its one hundredth anniversary. Often, this is framed as a battle between science and religion, a perspective that has been perpetuated in the century since. But how much of what we’re told is real, and how much is the product of media distortion and clever storytelling? Further, the evidence that supposedly supported evolution slated for use in the trial was suspect at best and fraudulent at worst. From beginning to end, the entire ordeal—from plans made before the trial to the media blitz that followed—was orchestrated to push a narrative. And that narrative runs counter to what Scripture plainly teaches. In the first episode of this series, we discussed the Scopes Trial, the events leading up to it, and the aftermath. In today’s episode, we’ll look into the supposed evidence that was intended to be used to support evolutionary theory. Learn more about the 100 Years of Monkey Business Conference ---

Historians note that a famous trial from 1925 regarding the teaching of evolution still matters today, as the classroom is still a battleground for controversial ideas.

On the 100th anniversary of the famous Scopes Trial in Tennessee that gained national attention dealing with teaching the Theory of Evolution in schools, many folks may still wonder exactly what the Catholic Church teaches about Evolution and Creation.

On the 100th anniversary of the famous Scopes Trial in Tennessee that gained national attention dealing with teaching the Theory of Evolution in schools, many folks may still wonder exactly what the Catholic Church teaches about Evolution and Creation.

July 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Trial – a trial that exposed profound divisions in America over religion, education, and public morality. This was a legal case in Dayton, Tennessee, where high school teacher John Scopes was prosecuted for teaching evolution, violating the state's Butler Act. The Butler Act was a 1925 Tennessee law that prohibited public school teachers from teaching any theory that denied the biblical account of human creation, specifically targeting the teaching of evolution. But believe it or not, this entire trial was orchestrated. Local leaders had the teacher volunteer to be charged as a publicity stunt to boost the town's economy and gain national attention. But it soon gained far more attention than anyone expected, as it touch a nerve on the national clash between an increasingly secular scientific establishment and religious fundamentalists. Battle lines were drawn in the courtroom. Clarence Darrow, a renowned agnostic lawyer and advocate for civil liberties, defended Scopes, while William Jennings Bryan, a prominent Christian populist, three-time presidential candidate, and anti-evolution crusader, prosecuted, highlighting their contrasting worldviews. The trial became a media sensation due to its clash of science versus religion, drawing hundreds of reporters, radio broadcasts, and public fascination with the dramatic courtroom exchanges, particularly Darrow’s cross-examination of Bryan. To discuss the legacy of the case is today’s guest, Brenda Wineapple, author of “Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted America.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1925, a courtroom in Dayton, Tennessee became the stage for a cultural turning point—the Scopes "Monkey" Trial. But this wasn't just a debate about evolution vs. creation. It was the moment America began its bold experiment of removing God from the classroom—and eventually, from the culture.   Now, 100 years later, what has that experiment produced?   Join Eric Hovind to revisit the trial that put God and His Word on trial, exposing the strategy of the trial, the damage caused, and why so many Christians today are still unprepared to defend their faith under pressure. You'll discover how Clarence Darrow's attack, William Jennings Bryan's unpreparedness, and the ACLU's agenda launched a century of secularism—and why it's time for a generation to rise up, reclaim truth, and end the experiment. This isn't just a history lesson. It's a wake-up call.   Watch this Podcast on Video at: https://creationtoday.org/on-demand-classes/100-years-without-god-the-legacy-of-the-scopes-trial-creation-today-show-433/  Join Eric LIVE each Wednesday at 12 Noon CT for conversations with Experts. You can support this podcast by becoming a Creation Today Partner at CreationToday.org/Partner

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the conclusion of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes.In "Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation," acclaimed historian Brenda Wineapple revisits the Scopes “Monkey” Trial of 1925 - not just as a courtroom clash over evolution, but as a defining moment in the struggle between religious belief, scientific inquiry, and democratic ideals in America.

In July 1925, the Scopes “Monkey” Trial captivated the nation. On its face, the case was relatively straightforward: A Tennessee biology teacher named John Scopes was accused of teaching human evolution to his students. At the time, that was against state law. Both sides enlisted the help of big name lawyers to represent them, and the case turned into a national spectacle. But, why has the legacy of the case persisted? And what can it help us understand about our current moment?Host Ira Flatow talks with Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation. Read an excerpt of the book at sciencefriday.com.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Was the Scopes “Monkey Trial” ever really about science—or was it a staged showdown with a hidden agenda?  In this episode of All Rise, we talk to Dr. Rick Townsend, a historian of ideas whose groundbreaking dissertation uncovers the real story behind one of the most famous courtroom dramas in American history: the 1925 Scopes Trial.  For a century, we've been told it was the moment science defeated religion. But what if the real battle wasn't evolution vs. creation—but parental rights vs. elite control? Dr. Townsend walks us through how the trial was orchestrated, how William Jennings Bryan became a media caricature, and how a false narrative took root that still shapes educational debates today.  We also explore Mahmoud v. Taylor, a 2025 Supreme Court decision that echoes the same themes 100 years later. Are we still fighting the same battle—just with different labels?  Whether you're a believer, skeptic, or just someone tired of being told a one-sided version of history, this episode will change the way you think about the “Monkey Trial”—and what's really at stake in the classroom.   Dr. Rick Townsend's PhD Dissertation, "Reconsidering Bryan: William Jennings Bryan's Advocacy of Causes Using Rights-Based Arguments," can be accessed at https://utd-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3aa73f5e-5985-4a20-8a04-7131c391dffb/content.    Dr. Townsend's recent article in Salvo Magazine, "Still Unrefuted," about the anti-evolution arguments of William Jennings Bryan: https://salvomag.com/article/salvo73/still-unrefuted.   Salvo Magazine's most recent issue, which includes Dr. Townsend's articles along with several others', can be accessed here: https://salvomag.com/issue/current (note that this link will only go to the correct issue while it is the "current" issue. For future reference, this is issue #73 from Summer 2025).   You can keep up with Dr. Townsend through his LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/in/rick-townsend-271b2920.   

On this week's AP Religion Minute, a Tennessee town corrects the record with its own play on the Scopes trial. AP correspondent Walter Ratliff reports.

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Give to help Chris continue making Truce I made these episodes a few years ago, but since it is the 100th anniversary of the Scopes "Monkey" trial, I thought we should revisit them! Tennessee was the first state in the United States to crack down hard on the teaching of evolution in public schools. Others had dabbled, but Tennessee went all the way. The ACLU wanted to challenge the validity of the case in the courts. In order to do that they needed an educator to teach it, get busted, and be brought to trial. At the same time, the town of Dayton, TN, needed a boost. After the biggest employer closed down, it faced serious economic trouble. What if the men of Dayon could manufacture a court case to draw the attention of the nation? They found a young teacher named John Scopes and convinced him to participate in their scheme. They booked Scopes, even though he probably never taught evolution. The ACLU had its case. Soon, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow hopped on board, and it went from a publicity stunt to something for the history books. This is the event that some historians (wrongly) point to as the death of Christian fundamentalism in the United States until it was revived by the Moral Majority. One man fighting for the biblical idea of creation and another for godless atheism. But the real history is far more complex. Edward Larson, professor at Pepperdine University, joins us to discuss the trial and his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Summer for the Gods”. Helpful Sources: “Summer for the Gods” by Edward Larson Rhea County Heritage and Scopes Trial Museum Worth a visit! Court Transcript of the Scopes Trial (easy to find online) “A Godly Hero” by Michael Kazin Discussion Questions: What events led to the Scopes trial? Why did the ACLU feel they had to try the Tennessee Law? Who should decide what is taught in schools? Teachers? Parents? Lawmakers? Or some combination? What were William Jennings Bryan's motives for joining the prosecution? What were Clarence Darrow's motives for joining the defense? Should prayer be allowed before a trial about religion? Should Christians get involved in what is taught in schools? To what degree? Dayton, Tennessee's plan to boost tourism William Jennings Bryan's crusade against Darwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One hundred years ago, in July 1925, a high school teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, was arrested for teaching evolution. John Scopes' guilt was never in doubt, but his sensational trial was the center of national attention, pitting modernists against traditionalists, the defenders of Darwin's science against Christian fundamentalists. In this episode, historian Michael Kazin recounts what happened inside the courtroom and why it still matters. The culture wars of the early twentieth century echo in our society today, as the Democratic Party has lost rural America.  Further reading: The Trial of the Century is 100. Its Lessons Could Save the Democrats by Michael Kazin (New York Times) A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan by Michael Kazin (2006)

On this week's AP Religion Roundup, a Tennessee town corrects the record with its own play on the Scopes trial. AP Correspondent Walter Ratliff reports.

The Scopes Trial is one of the most famous court cases in American history, and this year marks its one hundredth anniversary. Often, this is framed as a battle between science and religion, a perspective that has been perpetuated in the century since. But how much of what we’re told is real, and how much is the product of media distortion and clever storytelling? Further, the evidence that supposedly supported evolution slated for use in the trial was suspect at best and fraudulent at worst. From beginning to end, the entire ordeal—from plans made before the trial to the media blitz that followed—was orchestrated to push a narrative. And that narrative runs counter to what Scripture plainly teaches. In this two-part series, we’ll be discussing the Scopes Trial, the events leading up to it, and the aftermath, as well as much of the supposed evidence that was intended to be used to support evolutionary theory. Learn more about the 100 Years of Monkey Business Conference --- Join ICR's YouTube channel to get access to perks

Monday, July 14, 2025 Then in the second, he welcomes first time guest, Dr. Rick Townsend to our studio. He and Kerby spends some time discussing History, Creationism & Evolution, how they shape our view of Science and of Theology and about the Centennial anniversary of the Scopes Trial. Connect with us on Facebook at […]

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The "Monkey Trial," the contest over teaching evolution that was dubbed the trial of the century, is re-lived onstage each summer in the town that the trial made famous. The AP's Jennifer King has more.

The Scopes Trial and its cast of colorful characters is the story of the power of narratives to shape public perception.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: Are Humans and Chimpanzees Basically the Same? _____________ Get FREE access to the “Why Life?  Courageous Faith in a Culture of Death” video series at colsoncenter.org/whylife. 

July 10 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Scopes Trial, which centered on the ability to teach the theory of evolution in public schools. We reflect on the legacy of this monumental case and its relevance today, with Brenda Wineapple, author of the book Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation.

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On this ID The Future from the vault, host David Boze interviews filmmaker Fred Foote, writer and producer of the feature-length drama Alleged, which seeks to tell the real story behind the infamous 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, which pitched Darwinian evolution against belief in God. Through his own research, Foote discovered that Inherit the Wind was "almost exactly wrong" on many crucial points. Foote discusses how his movie strives to present both sides in the famous trial as fairly as possible. Source

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that a Maryland couple could pull their child out of classes where the material involved books with LGBTQ themes. The six conservative justices ruled that parents should not be required to expose their children to class materials that go against their religious beliefs. Coincidentally, almost exactly one hundred years ago – in July 1925 – there was another famous legal debate over what kids learn in the classroom that took place in Tennessee. The so-called Scopes Monkey Trial was ground zero for one of America’s first culture wars: The debate over whether or not evolution should be taught in schools. Guest: Alexander Gouzoules, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law and co-author of The Hundred Years' Trial: Law, Evolution, and the Long Shadow of Scopes v. Tennessee Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this timely episode of "Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other," host Corey Nathan speaks with Professor Daniel Mach, Director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief and adjunct professor of law at the George Washington University Law School. They explore the complexities of First Amendment rights, the historical Scopes Trial, and the fine line between religious freedom and government endorsement of religion. What We Discuss: How Daniel Mach's passion for First Amendment law began. The ACLU's approach to defending speech across ideological lines. Key legal principles behind landmark cases like Kennedy v. Bremerton. The modern-day impact of church-state separation rulings. The importance of defending civil liberties regardless of popularity. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Dan's origin story, sparked by a high school paper on the Scopes Trial. [00:05:00] ACLU's surprising position in the Boston Christian flag case. [00:09:00] The real facts behind Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. [00:23:00] Historical insight into the Scopes Trial and why it still matters. [00:38:00] Breakdown of the opt-out debate in Mahmoud v. Montgomery County. [00:48:00] Can a Catholic public school exist? Oklahoma says maybe. [00:56:00] Concerns about threats to the rule of law. [01:00:00] How to speak across ideological divides and why it matters. Featured Quotes: "Rights for all — the right to speak even hateful things — triggered something in my mind where I thought, yeah, that's the way to go." – Daniel Mach "If the rules only protect people you like, then those rules are not rules at all." – Daniel Mach "Part of religious liberty is keeping religion and government separate — not just to protect government, but to protect religion." – Daniel Mach Resources Mentioned: ACLU: https://www.aclu.org Kennedy v. Bremerton: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/21-418 Scopes Trial History: https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/scopes-trial Mahmoud v. Montgomery County: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-297_4f14.pdf Oklahoma Catholic Charter School Ruling: https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/split-supreme-court-blocks-first-religious-charter-school-in-oklahoma/

Tennessee has a long history of naming official state songs, wildflowers, fish and other wildlife. One of our favorites has to be the official state artifact. Plus, the local news for July 1, 2025, and a trip to Dayton for the 100-year anniversary of the Scopes Trial. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: Miriam KramerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Rachel Iacovone, LaTonya Turner and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

In this timely episode of "Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other," host Corey Nathan speaks with Professor Daniel Mach, Director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief and adjunct professor of law at the George Washington University Law School. They explore the complexities of First Amendment rights, the historical Scopes Trial, and the fine line between religious freedom and government endorsement of religion. What We Discuss: How Daniel Mach's passion for First Amendment law began. The ACLU's approach to defending speech across ideological lines. Key legal principles behind landmark cases like Kennedy v. Bremerton. The modern-day impact of church-state separation rulings. The importance of defending civil liberties regardless of popularity. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Dan's origin story, sparked by a high school paper on the Scopes Trial. [00:05:00] ACLU's surprising position in the Boston Christian flag case. [00:09:00] The real facts behind Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. [00:23:00] Historical insight into the Scopes Trial and why it still matters. [00:38:00] Breakdown of the opt-out debate in Mahmoud v. Montgomery County. [00:48:00] Can a Catholic public school exist? Oklahoma says maybe. [00:56:00] Concerns about threats to the rule of law. [01:00:00] How to speak across ideological divides and why it matters. Featured Quotes: "Rights for all — the right to speak even hateful things — triggered something in my mind where I thought, yeah, that's the way to go." – Daniel Mach "If the rules only protect people you like, then those rules are not rules at all." – Daniel Mach "Part of religious liberty is keeping religion and government separate — not just to protect government, but to protect religion." – Daniel Mach Resources Mentioned: ACLU: https://www.aclu.org Kennedy v. Bremerton: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/21-418 Scopes Trial History: https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/scopes-trial Mahmoud v. Montgomery County: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-297_4f14.pdf Oklahoma Catholic Charter School Ruling: https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/split-supreme-court-blocks-first-religious-charter-school-in-oklahoma/

Next month, America will celebrate the centenary of the Scopes Trial, the so-called 1925 “Monkey Trial” on evolution that riveted a nation. Although perhaps celebrate is the wrong word to describe the Tennessee trial that not only riveted America but also divided it. According to the historian Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping The Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation, the Scopes trial is as relevant to America in 2025 as it was in 1925. According to Wineapple, the trial wasn't really about science versus religion at all. Neither side truly understood Darwin's theory of evolution, which had been settled science for decades. Instead, the Scopes trial served as a cultural battleground where deeper American anxieties played out—fears about immigration, racial integration, women's suffrage, and rapid social change in the post-World War I era. The real combatants weren't evolution and creationism, or even the courtroom celebrities Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, but competing visions of American identity. Today, as debates rage over book bans, curriculum restrictions, and civil rights, Wineapple argues that America is still fighting the same fundamental battles that erupted in that sweltering Dayton, Tennessee courtroom a century ago.1. The trial wasn't actually about science versus religion Neither side understood Darwin's theory, which had been settled science for decades, revealing the real issues lay elsewhere. KEY QUOTE: "Nobody knew the science. Nobody understood the science, and Darwin had published, in 1859, The Origin of Species."2. It was a proxy fight for deeper cultural anxieties about rapid social change The evolution debate masked fears about immigration, women's suffrage, racial integration, and post-WWI upheaval. KEY QUOTE: "So there was a proxy fight that was occurring, because it really couldn't be about what it was said to be about, and I think people on the ground in 1925 knew that."3. Race was a central but often hidden issue in the proceedings Black communities understood that evolution theory undermined racist hierarchies, making this fundamentally about racial anxiety. KEY QUOTE: "Certainly many in the Black communities felt that this was about race because they understood... that the theory of evolution itself helped make absolutely indefensible the idea that racial hierarchies."4. William Jennings Bryan embodied the contradictions of progressive populism Bryan simultaneously championed common people while holding reactionary views on race, showing populism's complex nature. KEY QUOTE: "So in that sense, he was a progressive, as you said he was for the common people... at the same time as being very conservative, even to being reactionary."5. The trial's relevance to contemporary America lies in ongoing battles over freedom and education Today's debates over book bans and curriculum restrictions echo the same fundamental questions about who controls knowledge. KEY QUOTE: "The issues that are being debated in terms of the trial or raised at the trial really are about freedom... who decides what we learn, what we can read."I've always been intrigued by William Jennings Bryan, the three-time Democratic candidate for President, passionate Prohibitionist and lead prosecutor at the Scopes Trial. As today's Democrats struggle to invent a progressive 21st century populism that can compete with MAGA, what can Bryan teach us? Bryan embodies populism's central paradox: his passionate defense of ordinary people against economic elites coexisted with deeply reactionary social views. He championed workers and women's suffrage while refusing to condemn the KKK. His "Cross of Gold" speech attacked Wall Street, but his fundamentalism led him to Dayton to prosecute a schoolteacher for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution. This wasn't a bug but a feature of Bryan's thinking —he believed "the people" should decide everything, from monetary policy to what children should learn about evolution. Today's progressives face the same dilemma: how do you harness populist energy for economic justice without empowering the “traditional” (ie: reactionary) values that seem to inevitably go with it? The example of William Jennings Bryan suggests that this tension may be inherent in democratic populism itself. A hundred years after Scopes, this remains the real monkey business confronting American progressivism. Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Science and religion are in a constant state of friction. But 100 years ago, that friction flared into a firestorm in Tennessee.In 1925, John Scopes, a 24-year-old high school science teacher in Dayton, decided to teach human evolution to his students even though the state had just outlawed it. He was put on trial, and Dayton was the center of international attention. Today, the impacts of what became known as the “Monkey Trial” are still rippling 100 years later. Plus, were you taught evolution in high school? Do you believe in creationism or evolution? Or both? The phone lines are open to take your calls.This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.Guests Wesley Roberts, retired Metro Nashville Public School teacher, native Nashvillian. Dr. Antonis Rokas, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Biological Science and the Founding Director of the Evolutionary Studies Initiative at Vanderbilt University. Sophie Badgett, former biology student at Hume Fogg Links Scopes 100, Scopes Centennial Celebration, Dayton, TN Scopes “Monkey” Trial Centennial Symposium, Vanderbilt University

The latest exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum, “Eight Days in Dayton: 100 Years of the Scopes Trial,” will be on display June 24–October 12, 2025. It offers a rich, immersive journey through the State of Tennessee v. John T. Scopes, one of the most iconic legal and cultural events in American history. In this episode, the museum's chief curator, Richard White, and K-12 education manager, Christopher Grisham, share details about the trial, discuss what makes this such a pivotal moment in Tennessee history, and take listeners behind the scenes of the planning and implementation of the exhibit and the educational tools that accompany it. The exhibit centers on the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, where John T. Scopes, a Dayton high school teacher, was prosecuted under Tennessee's Butler Act for teaching human evolution—a law that prohibited denying biblical creation in public schools. Framed as a challenge to the constitutionality of the law, the trial was staged to ignite both legal and social debate over science versus religion. At the time, it was considered the trial of the century. The exhibit brings the courtroom battles to life and features photographs, tintypes, daguerreotypes, and enlarged press images of Scopes, Darrow, Bryan, and the Dayton community. Visitors will also find authentic courtroom furnishings from the trial, alongside the original microphone used for live radio transmission, the biology textbook Scopes used to teach evolution at Rhea County High School and the table and chairs from Robinson's Drugstore where local civic and business leaders met in May 1925 to hatch the idea of challenging the Butler Act in court. Archival trial documents and an engaging audiovisual history guide visitors through the unfolding drama and its aftermath. This episode is brought to you by The Citizens Bank.

Send us a textPLEASE NOTE: EDITING ERRORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. This week on Beach Talk with Betsey Newenhuyse, we're reflecting on Memorial Day from Betsey's visit to Ft. Sheridan Cemetery—where memory and meaning converge. We'll share personal thoughts about our dads and how sensational politics and shallow discourse often diminish this solemn day.Betsey brings us a notable message from Pete Buttigieg that cuts through the noise. We dive into the bizarre age obsession—“Biden's old!”—while so many political leaders are aging out. We'll also head down a rabbit trail: Young Earth creationism, QAnon, and my latest Substack post on the Scopes Trial. Anti-science. Anti-expertise. Anti-intellect. The Ark Encounter. The clergy survey. The 1960 film, Inherit the Wind. When faith becomes a box-checking exercise—what's left?I'll touch on Diarmaid MacCulloch's brilliant insights in his history of Christianity and sex. I'll talk about my professor's lecture on the difference between astrology and astronomy—it tells us a lot about Christian Nationalism's current dogma.Finally, we'll confront the attack on universities (hello, Harvard), Jemar Tisby's Roadmap to Ruin, Project 2025, and what it all means for the Church—and for our democracy. Support the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

Episode: 1371 The great evolution war at Oxford in 1860.  Today, we join the first major battle in a long war.

Tell me what's on your mind.What some of you may remember as the Scopes Monkey Trial is a scam. If you don't know about the trial, you may know about the movie, “Inherit the Wind,” which – and I'm being charitable here – took poetic license with the truth. Today, as we near the 100th anniversary of the trial, I tell you why.Scopes 100 Celebration

This Day in Legal History: John T. Scopes ArrestedOn May 5, 1925, John T. Scopes, a 24-year-old high school science teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, was arrested for violating the state's Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of human evolution in public schools. His arrest set in motion one of the most famous trials in American history: the Scopes "Monkey" Trial. The case was a deliberate test of the new law, orchestrated by local businessmen and supported by the ACLU, who wanted to challenge the constitutionality of the statute. Scopes agreed to be the defendant, even though there was uncertainty about whether he had actually taught evolution during class.The trial drew national attention, pitting two legal giants against each other: William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate and staunch creationist, for the prosecution, and Clarence Darrow, one of the most famous defense attorneys of the era, for the defense. The proceedings became a spectacle, with reporters from across the country descending on Dayton. The courtroom debate highlighted the deep cultural divide between modernist and fundamentalist values in 1920s America.Scopes was ultimately found guilty and fined $100, though the verdict was later overturned on a technicality. However, the trial's significance went far beyond the outcome. It sparked national conversation about science, religion, education, and the role of government in regulating ideas taught in schools. The Butler Act remained in effect until 1967, and the trial inspired numerous retellings in literature and film, including Inherit the Wind. The Scopes Trial remains a key historical moment in the legal and cultural struggle over academic freedom and the separation of church and state.The first quarter of 2025 offered law firms a paradox: weak demand to start the year, followed by a surge in legal work tied to renewed global trade tensions under President Trump. According to the Thomson Reuters Institute's Law Firm Financial Index, litigation and transactional practices saw a marked uptick in March, largely driven by tariff-related disputes. This late-quarter boost helped mask deeper structural issues—namely declining lawyer productivity and elevated expenses.Despite the spike in work, the index dropped 13 points from Q4 2024, reflecting sluggish growth in demand and a 2.4% year-over-year drop in productivity. Direct expenses, driven by aggressive lateral hiring and performance-based bonus payouts, rose 7.6%, while overhead climbed 6.3%. These figures underscore the cost pressures firms are navigating even as they attempt to capitalize on short-term geopolitical volatility.Billing rates were a rare highlight. Firms raised rates by 7.3% over the prior year, marking the most aggressive pricing push since 2005. That pricing power helped offset some of the drag from low productivity and rising costs.Still, the benefits of this trade-driven spike appear temporary. The report notes that economic instability—particularly trade disruptions—tends to generate front-loaded demand that quickly tapers. With several financial institutions upping their recession odds for late 2025, law firm leaders are being urged to treat Q1 gains as a buffer, not a trend.The legal sector may have outperformed expectations in early 2025, but its exposure to macroeconomic uncertainty is increasing. Strategic planning—not reactive optimism—will determine how firms fare in the months ahead.Trade war boosted law firm demand in early 2025 but challenges lie ahead, report says | ReutersCalifornia's experiment with a homegrown bar exam has officially unraveled. Following a disastrous February rollout plagued by scoring issues, technical failures, and the undisclosed use of AI-generated questions, the California Supreme Court has scrapped the state's new exam for July and ordered a return to the traditional Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).In a Friday order, the court cited ongoing concerns with the question development process and approved a series of score adjustments to mitigate the damage done to February test-takers. Results, initially due that same day, were delayed until Monday to accommodate recalculations. The court also mandated that July's exam revert to the format and components used prior to the February overhaul, abandoning the cost-saving, AI-assisted approach California had pursued.This reversal is not cheap. The State Bar now expects to spend $2.3 million more than originally budgeted to address the fallout, effectively wiping out the projected $3.8 million in annual savings the new system was meant to deliver. Executive Director Leah Wilson, who had championed the exam reform, announced she will step down in July.The court also set the passing score for February's test at 534—lower than what standardized testing experts had advised—and instructed the bar to estimate (“impute”) scores for candidates unable to complete major sections of the exam due to system failures.California, home to the nation's second-largest pool of bar applicants, has now reversed course entirely. What was meant to be a modern, streamlined alternative has turned into a cautionary tale about reform without readiness.California scraps new bar exam for July, adjusts scores on botched February test | ReutersDonald Trump's second-term judicial nomination strategy is picking up right where his first left off: turning to state solicitors general and their deputies to stock the federal bench with young, deeply conservative legal talent. His first new appellate pick, Whitney Hermandorfer of Tennessee, reflects a clear pattern—Trump is drawing from red-state lawyers who've spent the last several years battling the Biden administration in federal courts on issues like abortion, transgender rights, and administrative authority.Hermandorfer, who currently leads strategic litigation for Tennessee's attorney general, has defended the state's abortion ban in medical emergency cases and pushed back against federal Title IX expansions to protect transgender students. She also clerked for three sitting conservative justices, checking all the ideological boxes sought by Trump's judicial selection machine. Her nomination is part of a larger pipeline strategy that prioritizes appellate experience in politically charged litigation and loyalty to the conservative legal movement.This approach is anything but accidental. State solicitors general, particularly in Republican-controlled states, have become central figures in the legal battles over federal policy, turning what was once a technical appellate role into a political proving ground. The result: a crop of hardline conservative lawyers—like Mississippi's Scott Stewart, who argued Dobbs, or Alabama's Edmund LaCour, who defended gender-affirming care bans—ready to step into lifetime judicial roles.With at least 45 current and 15 future federal vacancies, including six at the appellate level, Trump has the opportunity to accelerate his effort to reshape the judiciary. The model is clear: ideological fidelity, battlefield experience, and youth. What's emerging is a deliberate, well-coordinated pipeline from red-state litigation offices straight onto the federal bench—a move likely to solidify conservative judicial influence for decades.Trump Returns to Red State Appeals Lawyers to Fill Judgeships This is a public episode. 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As we mark the 100th anniversary of the historic Scopes Trial, this interdisciplinary panel will delve into the enduring significance of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, a case that reshaped the cultural, legal, and educational landscape of America. Bringing together historians, political scientists, biologists, and philosophers, this discussion will explore the trial's foundational conflicts between science and religion, and its resonance in today's debates over the teaching of evolution and other controversial subjects.

The first big election of 2025 will be in Wisconsin, which elects a new Supreme Court Justice on April 1. Elon Musk is spending hundreds of millions in that race. That's both a threat, and an opportunity for Democrats. On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols will comment.Also: How did we end up with Trump back in the White House? We got here in part because Republicans built a movement over several decades centered on what are called “the culture wars.” But there's a long history behind the culture wars, going back at least a century to the Scopes Trial, in 1925, about teaching evolution. It's still an issue today. Adam Hochschild is on the show to explain.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The first big election of 2025 will be in Wisconsin, which elects a new Supreme Court Justice on April 1. Elon Musk is spending hundreds of millions in that race. That's both a threat, and an opportunity for Democrats. On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols will comment.Also: How did we end up with Trump back in the White House? We got here in part because Republicans built a movement over several decades centered on what are called “the culture wars.” But there's a long history behind the culture wars, going back at least a century to the Scopes Trial, in 1925, about teaching evolution. It's still an issue today. Adam Hochschild is on the show to explain.

We cover a range of state/church news on the federal and state levels. We announce FFRF's Scopes Trial Centennial celebration to be held in Tennessee in July. After hearing the irreverent Monty Python song, "Every Sperm is Sacred," we memorialize the life of former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, an ardent proponent of feminism and democracy and author of the book Make Trouble, by replaying our 2018 interview with her on Freethought Radio.

GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Dayton, Tennessee where the decision is made to challnge the anti-Darwinian State legislature... Scopes Trial outdoors because of the heat . CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR - SECOND HOUR (9:00-11:00) Extended interview with Brenda Wineapple, discussing "Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation" The 1925 Scopes trial in Dayton, Tennessee Clarence Darrow's defense of John T. Scopes William Jennings Bryan's prosecution Impact on American values and ongoing cultural divisions Early 20th century context of racism, intolerance, and social change THIRD HOUR - FOURTH HOUR (11:00-1:00) Extended interview with Eric H. Cline, discussing "After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations" Aftermath of the Late Bronze Age collapse Fall of Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean civilizations Transition through the First Dark Age Stories of resilience and transformation Reconfiguration of civilizations in an age of chaos Each book discussion spans eight 15-minute segments, allowing for in-depth exploration of these historical works and their contemporary relevance.

"PREVIEW: SCOPES TRIAL: 1925: Conversation with Brenda Wineapple, author of ,'Keeping the Faith," about the 1925 '"Monkey Trial,' where the ACLU enabled the famous confrontation in Dayton Tennessee between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. More later." 1925 Dayton Tennessee

POPULISM: In praise of Jack Kemp, GOP Populist. @ThadMcCotter @theamgreatness 1925 Scopes Trial, Dayton Penn.

Bob explains his epiphany to resolve what Darrow had in mind during his famous cross-examination of William Jennings Bryan in the famous Scopes Trial. Note this is a follow-up to his prior episode on the trial.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:BMS ep 355, the analysis of the Scopes Monkey Trial.The complete transcript of the 1925 Scopes trial.The History Channel short on the trial.Excerpt from the Civic Biology textbook that Scopes used.Bryan's final statement (that he didn't get to deliver to the court).Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The 1925 Scopes Trial ostensibly featured the triumph of science over fundamentalist religion. Bob gives some surprising facts that may change your assessment, including long excerpts from Clarence Darrow's famous cross-examination of William Jennings Bryan.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The complete transcript of the 1925 Scopes trial.The History Channel short on the trial.Excerpt from the Civic Biology textbook that Scopes used.Was Jonah swallowed by a fish or a whale?Bryan's final statement (that he didn't get to deliver to the court).Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Preview: Scopes Trial: Conversation with author Brenda Wineapple, "Keeping the Faith," regarding the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 and the personality and operatic style of Clarence Darrow. More in later weeks. 1925 Clarence Darrow in Dayton Tennessee

Preview: Scopes Trial: Comment by author Brenda Wineapple, "Keeping the Faith," regarding the celebrity politician William Jennings Bryan, the Boy Orator of the Platte River, now in the last days of his life as he arrives in Dayton, Tennessee for the Scopes trial debating the theory of evolution in light of those who believe in a literal reading of the Bible. More in coming weeks. 1925 William Jennings Bryan