Creationism remains alive, well and ranks above evolution in Christendom

Charles Darwin, scientist of thesis, theory of evolution

More than one hundred fifty years ago, Charles Darwin published his thesis regarding the creation and evolution of the world, with the far-reaching theory of evolution.  Yet despite the number of years that have past, and the number of people who have advanced the theory of evolution through continuing research and scientific assessments of all kinds, there remain many people who don't believe in evolution but prefer the literal Biblical interpretation or creationism .

Despite the famous Scopes trial, where the theory of evolution and the notions of creationism met head to head in a courtroom, the fundamentalist view of how the world was created remains just as it was in 1925.  The trial "starred" William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow as opposing attorneys.  Both were famous men, known for their oratory and strong political and social opinions.

Bryan was a third-time Presidential nominee, former Secretary of State and life-long Presbyterian with strong religious views.  He was the hero of the creationists at the Scopes trial, while Clarence Darrow, an agnostic, defended the young teacher, who had been accused of violating the Butler Act, a law in Tennessee which held that it was unlawful to teach the new theory of evolution that had been put forth by Darwin.

The Scopes trial attracted a great deal of publicity, as it pitched the modernists against the creationists.  Scopes lost his case and was found guilty, although he was only fined $100, yet the verdict was subsequently overturned on a technicality.  Despite the issues surrounding the trial, and the many articles, books and screenplays that have been written about the famous trial, there remain many people who are still unconvinced that evolution is a viable theory.

Much of the passion for creationism arose from the publication of a book written by a conservative Christian John Whitcomb and Bible teacher, Henry M. Morris in 1961.  Subsequently a number of anti-evolution books were written and the more famous book called The Genesis Flood,  by Whitcomb and Morris.  Morris went on afterward to put together an Institute for Creation Research that has advanced the continuing criticism of the theory of evolution while extolling the values put forth by creationism.  There is also a Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky founded by evangelist Ken Ham.

While there are many who believe in creationism, it depends on the particular religious community one belongs to as to whether or not a believer holds the fundamentalist view or a mixed perspective that combines evolution and creationism.  The Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are reported to be the ones who hold the creationism view in high percentages.  On the other hand, Unity Church, the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians as well as others believe that whereas man was created by God, the creation took place by some intelligent design that could have lasted millions of years as opposed to a few thousand years.

The Pew Forum surveyed Americans and found more than 60% believe in some form of creationism.  Yet despite the fact that the believers of creationism are numerous and encompass many Christian groups, this particular belief has not been accepted as part of scientific theories or beliefs, in spite of the fact there are places in the United States that holds creationism as a theory on par with evolution and therefore worthy of inclusion in the science curriculum.  Texas is one of those states that made this part of law, as did Louisiana.  In fact schoolchildren in the charter schools find their texts proclaim evolution merely as an unproven theory.  Some of the workbooks declare scientists themselves are unsure of the theory of evolution.

Texas again in spotlight over creationism vs Darwin

John T. Scopes, defendant found guilty of teaching evolution

Carol Forsloff----  A petition from citizens concerned that the State of Texas is including creationism as part of science in school textbooks is making its way around the Internet, as the debate continues over the introduction of religious ideas into the science curriculum. The debate has been going on for many years, made famous by theScopes Monkey Trial, in which a high school teacher, John Scopes, was found guilty of violating the Tennessee Butler Act. That Act made it unlawful to teach evolution in any state-funded school. The famous lawyer, Clarence Darrow, and politician, William Jennings Bryan, brought intense publicity to the town of Dayton, Tennessee, as the two lined up on opposite sides of the debate. This 1925 case was won by the prosecution, but the guilty verdict, with a fine of $100 as Scopes “punishment,” was overturned on a technicality. 

The trial offered the public a view of the Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy, which continues to the present day. Fundamentalists maintain the word of God as revealed in the Bible takes priority over all human knowledge whereas science maintains evolution is the science which should be taught in the schools.  

The present arguments mirror those at the time Texas introduced the Bible as one of the textbooks to be used in school curriculums.

Today the Institute for Creation Research stands as an organization that continues to defend creationism, maintaining the Scopes trial offered little real evidence that refuted the fact God created the world in the way the Bible details. The organization maintains that as a consequence of the Scopes trial, “ biblical doctrine and Bible believers were mercilessly ridiculed in the press, an assault which continues today. The end result? Christianity largely retreated underground and withdrew from the public arena.”