The return of religious fundamentalism can be seen in the pressure exerted by supporters of creationism against the theory of evolution and, more generally, against the scientific method and free inquiry. A hundred years ago in the United States, the Scopes trial was a milestone in the fight against obscurantism.
The Scopes trial
In 1925, a young Tennessee teacher, John T. Scopes, was taken to court for presenting the scientific theory of evolution. Two American secular organisations are organising a commemoration in mid-July.
The “Scopes Trial” remains an iconic trial in the United States, often referred to as the “monkey trial”. In 1925, the state of Tennessee passed the Butler Act, which prohibited public school teachers from discussing any theory that denied the history of divine creation of human beings as taught in the Bible. The target was the scientific theory of evolution, which had developed from the work of Charles Darwin (caricatured as a monkey by his opponents). Several southern states, the “Bible Belt”, adopted this law. The most reactionary fringe of Christianity claims to be “creationist” and mobilises around this theme. Other Christians, some of them highly subtle, such as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, attempted to interpret “creation in evolution”.
In 1925, in the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) rose up against the Butler Act. It managed to find a teacher (through an ad!) who claimed to teach the scientific theory of evolution. He was John T. Scopes, aged 24, living in Dayton, Tennessee. The strategy was to initiate legal proceedings and take the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which would declare the Butler Act unconstitutional. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees genuine freedom of expression. The trial and its aftermath had a huge impact.
The vigilance of secular organisations…
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and the Centre for Inquiry are two of the most important secular organisations in the United States. Together, they are organising a commemorative symposium on the Scopes Trial from 18 to 20 July in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The symposium will explore the history of the trial and its lasting impact on science, education and the law. Speakers will discuss evolutionary biology, law and history. A visit to the site of the famous trial, the historic Rhea County Court House in Dayton, is planned. There you will find the statue of Clarence Darrow, JT Scopes’ lawyer, created by Zenos Frudakis and installed by the FFRF several years ago.
The FFRF aims to promote the constitutional principle of separation of church and state and to educate the public on issues related to “non-theism.” It is the largest American free-thinking association in the country, with more than 39,000 free thinkers: atheists, agnostics and sceptics from all walks of life. Founded in 1978 in Wisconsin, the FFRF publishes a monthly magazine, “ Freethought Today ,” and books, pursues legal action, supports people leaving the clergy, organises events and competitions, and is involved in social and educational programmes.
The Centre for Inquiry was founded in 1991 by atheist philosopher Paul Kurtz through the merger of two previous associations. Its Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Supernatural (CSI) publishes the magazine Skeptical Inquirer, which investigates various manifestations of the paranormal, supernatural and occult. The Centre for Inquiry is organised as a political lobby in Washington to defend the separation of church and state. The CFI maintains an emergency fund called “Secular Rescue” to help refugees persecuted by religious states. It runs a research institute, conducts a “Science Saves” campaign to promote scientific thinking, provides a programme on teaching evolution to teachers, and awards the Richard Dawkins Prize.
…against the return of obscurantism
The creationist movement remains strong today, as demonstrated in an article by Georges Bringuier, author of Charles Darwin, théoricien de l’évolution, penseur agnostique (Charles Darwin, Evolutionary Theorist and Agnostic Thinker), published by L’Harmattan in its Débats laïques series, included in this edition. Darwin Day, 12 February, the birthday of Charles Darwin in 1809, is widely celebrated in Anglo-Saxon countries. Darwin Day mobilises scientists and activists for numerous initiatives promoting science education and the presentation of the theory of evolution. Let’s get ready for the next one in February 2026!
