When Faith, Science, and Politics Collide
The republic's Christian founders made it clear that no faith should have a privileged position in America and that religion should not intrude in the workings of government.
Courts have consistently upheld this principle, as seen in the case of Defense lawyer Clarence Darrow, who questioned William Jennings Bryan about the Bible on July 1, 1925, during the Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tenn.
A century ago, journalists and hucksters flocked to Dayton to witness the trial, which was memorably described by H.L. Mencken as the "monkey trial."
Local high school science instructor John T. Scopes, 24, had been accused of violating a new Tennessee law against teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
The "monkey trial" continues to haunt us.
Author's summary: Faith and science collide in America.