Evolution vs. Creationism Evolution vs. Creationism the great debatethe great debate

Two sides..Two sides..

During the 1920s, there were two different During the 1920s, there were two different sides to the religion of Christianity.sides to the religion of Christianity.

Fundamentalist ChristiansFundamentalist Christians stressed the stressed the literal literal interpretation of the Bible, interpretation of the Bible, particularly Genesis.particularly Genesis.

Modernist ChristiansModernist Christians were mostly from were mostly from cities, and were better educated. They cities, and were better educated. They attempted to adapt religion to the teachings attempted to adapt religion to the teachings of modern science, such as evolutionof modern science, such as evolution

EvolutionEvolution A theory of Charles Darwin’s that A theory of Charles Darwin’s that

states that living things change states that living things change over generations to adapt to over generations to adapt to surroundings and in time create surroundings and in time create new species.new species.

Do THE EVOLUTIONDo THE EVOLUTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRlFsYmkeY --- simpsonsv=faRlFsYmkeY --- simpsons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w57_P9DZJ4 --- explanationv=7w57_P9DZJ4 --- explanation

In 1925 a group of teachers In 1925 a group of teachers decided to break the Butler decided to break the Butler Law in Tennessee.Law in Tennessee.

The Butler law made it The Butler law made it illegal to teach the theory illegal to teach the theory of evolution and instead of evolution and instead mandated the biblical mandated the biblical interpretation of interpretation of creationism creationism

John T. Scopes intentionally John T. Scopes intentionally taught evolution knowing taught evolution knowing he would be arrestedhe would be arrested

World famous criminal World famous criminal defense lawyer defense lawyer Clarence Darrow Clarence Darrow defended Scopes. defended Scopes. (left)(left)

William Jennings William Jennings Bryan acted as special Bryan acted as special prosecutor.prosecutor.

(right)(right)

After days of heated arguments, Darrow put After days of heated arguments, Darrow put Bryan himself on the stand, and brilliantly Bryan himself on the stand, and brilliantly got Bryan to admit that the bible was not got Bryan to admit that the bible was not literal, but interpreted. literal, but interpreted.

Scopes was found guilty, but was given the Scopes was found guilty, but was given the lightest fine possible ($100) and the case lightest fine possible ($100) and the case changed the narrowness of the prosecution’s changed the narrowness of the prosecution’s side as anti-science and anti- progress.side as anti-science and anti- progress.

Today, 80 years later!Today, 80 years later!

There is still a debate about what There is still a debate about what should and shouldn’t be taught in should and shouldn’t be taught in public schools. It was recently (2005) public schools. It was recently (2005) going on in Dover, Pennsylvania.going on in Dover, Pennsylvania.

However, there has been a switch.However, there has been a switch. What has changed over time? Why?What has changed over time? Why?

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein, , "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941"Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941

US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuZTqLW_MN4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8fm3Z7jgWM&ob=av2el

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9CH3q9PLI