Throughout history there have been many debates about whether or not evolution and the Bible should be taught in public schools. In fact, there was once a court case, the Scopes Trial, in which many issues had arisen and were resolved about this controversy. One of the main issues discussed was a debate on evolutionism being taught in school. Clarence Darrow, an atheist lawyer, asked William Jennings Bryan, a devout and vocal politician and a Christian, a series of questions in regards to what Bryan believed to be true about the Bible. Darrow later then explained that science had said otherwise about certain issues which even today are still referred back to . Proving Bryan to be a fool in his understanding of the Bible and other world beliefs furthered Darrow’s cause in allowing evolutionism to be taught in public schools. This moment in history has been a pivotal moment in what public schools are allowed to teach. This day in age, God has become a small part in people’s lives as compared to what it was in the 1600’s and 1700’s. Public schools don’t offer to teach the Bible anymore, but for what reasons? Perhaps because the Bible is very vague about certain issues and cannot be counted on to actually teach a student or because many believe religion has no place in education. Although this seems like a new issue today, it can be seen through court cases and history books that the downfall of Bible teachings in school began a long time ago. The Scopes trial has been one of the many times that someone who doesn’t believe in the Bible questioned someone who does, especially someone as popular as William Jennings Bryan. Recently with the big boom of the internet, many people have begun expressing their distaste for the Bible all over the place. On infidels.org, Dr. Theodore Drange, a philosophy professor at West Virginia University, gives seven different reasons why the Bible can’t be taken seriously. In his article created in 1991, almost 70 years after the Scopes trial, he describes many of the stories as being “far-fetched” and that the incorrect translations are due to “sheer ignorance” . Although this isn’t the same type of criticism, but very similar, as the Scopes trial, it still conveys the point that there are still people out there who don’t agree with the Bible and believe it shouldn’t be taught at all to anyone. One such person is Bill Nye. Recently in Kentucky he spoke on the issue of the Noah’s Ark museum that is to open soon. He believes that this museum would “raise a generation of kids who are scientifically illiterate,” which may be an exaggeration, but nonetheless represents those who believe that such a monument would only hurt the next generation of learners.
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In 2004, an article was published by Paul L. Maier which provided historical evidence of the Flood event described in the Bible. He states that the Flood recorded in the Bible, in Genesis 6-8, is also recorded by the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks . Other such findings in his studies includes the Nuzi Tablets which include information about the practices described in Genesis such as marriage arrangements and ancient laws .This evidence gives proof that the event did happen and is recognized by ancient civilizations. This information is important because it gives credibility to the Bible and if schools want to teach hard facts supported by evidence, then what better place than in one of the oldest history books in …show more content…
Also, there will always be debates between the smartest from both sides of the argument. It seems as though the argument about the Bible’s place in education has gone on for decades and will continue to do so until the state governments come to a decision on what to do. The government is at the center of it all, because without it there would be no argument, and the final rules ultimately come from it. Not only was the Scopes Trial a major turn of events in the sense that Christianity is no longer a part of public school teaching and evolutionism is, but so were the major court decisions in Missouri and Tennessee. The reason Christianity isn’t taught anymore can be narrowed down into one reason: there have been too many cases in which people do not support the Bible as compared to those who do support
In 2004, an article was published by Paul L. Maier which provided historical evidence of the Flood event described in the Bible. He states that the Flood recorded in the Bible, in Genesis 6-8, is also recorded by the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks . Other such findings in his studies includes the Nuzi Tablets which include information about the practices described in Genesis such as marriage arrangements and ancient laws .This evidence gives proof that the event did happen and is recognized by ancient civilizations. This information is important because it gives credibility to the Bible and if schools want to teach hard facts supported by evidence, then what better place than in one of the oldest history books in …show more content…
Also, there will always be debates between the smartest from both sides of the argument. It seems as though the argument about the Bible’s place in education has gone on for decades and will continue to do so until the state governments come to a decision on what to do. The government is at the center of it all, because without it there would be no argument, and the final rules ultimately come from it. Not only was the Scopes Trial a major turn of events in the sense that Christianity is no longer a part of public school teaching and evolutionism is, but so were the major court decisions in Missouri and Tennessee. The reason Christianity isn’t taught anymore can be narrowed down into one reason: there have been too many cases in which people do not support the Bible as compared to those who do support