The Scopes Monkey Trial, formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes trial, is a watershed event in the history of American justice system. A Tennessee high school science teacher John Scopes was brought to court for violating the state’s Butler Act which prohibited teaching about the theory of evolution. Although Scopes was found guilty and later let free on technical grounds, the case was still seen by liberal Americans as the first of many battles against fundamental Christianity in the country. (Marcus & Burner, 2010, p.149)
The prominent Democratic politician William Jennings Bryan represented the prosecution whereas the reputed defense attorney Clarence Darrow represented Thomas Scopes. A key passage in the trial was when William Jennings Bryant was brought to examination as a witness by Clarence Darrow. This unconventional move happened on the seventh day of the trial. Historians have presented different rationale for why Bryan agreed to be examined, but it is clear that he thought it would allow him to examine Darrow in turn. Darrow’s questions to Bryan are part of legend today, as they tried to discredit some of the assumptions and beliefs underlying Christian theology. (Marcus & Burner, 2010, p.151)
A prime focus of this interview was the question of Adam and Eve. By pointing to logical flaws in the story of Adam and Eve, Darrow was showing to the jury that they were no more than mythologies. It was at this juncture that the classic exchange between the two counsels’s ensued, with Darrow telling Bryan “You insult every man of science and learning in the world because he does not believe in your fool religion”, to which Bryan responded that “The reason I am answering is not for the benefit of the superior court. It is to keep these gentlemen from saying I was afraid to meet them and let them question me, and I want the Christian world to know that any atheist, agnostic, unbeliever, can question me anytime as to my belief in God, and I will answer him.” (Scopes, 1925) It is quite clear from this answer that Bryan agreed to be a witness on grounds of principle and on the basis of his deep conviction in the Christian faith. He also went on to accuse Darrow and his team of attempting to “cast ridicule” on honest believers in the Bible. (Scopes, 1925)
As the exchange between the two gentlemen got more heated, Judge Raulston was forced to adjourn the proceedings. But since the Judge believed that the examination of Bryan was irrelevant to the actual case, it was cut short and he ordered to expunge the examination from official records. But, thanks to inventive and bold journalists like H.L Mencken, most details of the trial survive to this day and have spawned more daring arguments and counterarguments from both sides in the years since. (Conkin, 1998, p.185)