The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-07-23
Significance of
the Scopes Trial
Understanding Through Conflict.
Rv John THOMAS SCOPES.

The evolution case is not a case to
determine the outcome of the fight be-
tween science and religion. 1t is not to
decide whether this country will be
fundamentalist or liberal in its relig-
ious views. It is not to see If the state
has the right to dictate to the schools
what is to be taught. 1t is not to de-
termine whether we have religious
tolerance or not. ass
Any institution that lasts through
ages must, ever SO often, be cleansed
of the reactionary principles that it &C
uuires. The church is by no means an
exception to this rule. The great spiri-
tual movements led by such men as
Martin, Luther, Wesley, Knox, and 9TH
ers, have clearly demonstrated that
the church has tendency to get away
from Christ, to become polluted. with
superstition and dogma. When the eff
feet of one of these spiritual awak-
enings has lost its force, the spirit of
intolerance makes its temperance.
Less Intolerance.
Religious intolerance is today one
of the controlling factors in our daily
life. Not so long ago one of my
friends told me that he had been Of
fered a position as instructor in a
state institution, but only provided
that he join a certain church. Religi-
Gus intolerance is with us, as is shown
by the various laws that have been
passed by our various state legisla-
lures and by the attempts to pass 9TH
ers.
The ques' on of evolution and mod
ernism can be settled only by time and
study. That is a p1 oblem for the sci
entists and theologians to solve. No
court decision can in any way bring
light on this matter.
Whether a state can regulate the ex-
act, things that are taught in the
schools or not is useless question to
discuss. They may have that power,
but who would ever expect a state to
exercise such authority? The school
system was created to educate the
youth Of the country. Education means
broadening. If the state is now going
to dictate what is taught, why do they
not set down table of hard facts
for each pupil to learn 80 that every
one that attends our schools will be
Of one mind and one thought? How
far could we progress under such an
educational system? If that is to be
the only thing to come out of the evo-
luton trial, why not dissolve the
schools? For they will have lost their
use.
What 1t Means.
The real significance of the case, as
see 1t, is not to decide any of these
issues, or other issues that have been
discussed pro and con, but to bring a
better understanding between the var
ious factions involved. Though the gap
may seem widened by discussion, and
timid souls may prefer taboo to open
debate, there is no doubt in my mind
that through this open, frank discus
sion, better understanding will re-
suit, and eventually opposite points Of
view will be brought closer together.
There is another thing that may re-
suit, and l, at least, hope that it will
The whole country needs new spirit
ual awakening. There is a possibility
that through the publicity accorded this
trial and through the nationwide de-
bate of principles we may lose some
of the superstition that blinds US
and takes our attention away from the
essential things of life and the beau
ties of true Christianity.