God vs. Darwin: The War between Evolution and Creationism in the Classroom

by Mano Singham, Charles J. Russo (Foreword by)

Overview

In God vs. Darwin, Mano Singham dissects the legal battle between evolution and creationism in the classroom beginning with the Scopes Monkey trial in 1925 and ending with an intelligent design trial in Dover, Pennsylvania, in 2005. A publicity stunt, the Scopes Monkey trial had less to do with legal precedence than with generating tourism dollars for a rural Tennessee town. But the trial did successfully spark a debate that has lasted more than 80 years and simply will not be quelled despite a succession of seemingly definitive court decisions. In the greatest demonstration of survival, opposition to the teaching of evolution has itself evolved. Attempts to completely eliminate the teaching of evolution from public schools have given way to the recognition that evolution is here to stay, that explicitly religious ideas will never be allowed in public schools, and that the best that can be hoped for is to chip away at the credibility of the theory of evolution. Dr. Singham deftly answers complex questions: Why is there such intense antagonism to the teaching of evolution in the United States? What have the courts said about the various attempts to oppose it? Sprinkled with interesting tidbits about Charles Darwin and the major players of the evolution vs. creationism debate, God vs. Darwin is charming in its embrace of the strong passions aroused from the topic of teaching evolution in schools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607091707
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	12/16/2010
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mano Singham is a theoretical nuclear physicist with interests in the history and philosophy of science, theories of knowledge and education, and the achievement gap. Originally from Sri Lanka, he has taught and done research at various universities and research laboratories in Sri Lanka and the United States. He is currently the Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education and Adjunct Associate Professor of Physics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He has also written The Achievement Gap in US Education: Canaries in the Mine (Rowman and Littlefield Education, 2005).

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface xi

1 Introduction 1

2 The History behind Inherit the Wind 7

3 The Rising Religious Opposition to Darwin 13

4 The Free Speech Train 21

5 The Scopes Pregame Show 23

6 The Scopes Trial 35

7 The Scopes Appeal 53

8 The History of Religion in U.S. Public Schools 57

9 Religion and the Establishment Clause after Scopes 67

10 Evolution Back in the Courts 77

11 Adam and Eve and Evolution 87

12 The Rise and Fall of "Creation Science" 93

13 Creation Science Born Again As Intelligent Design 101

14 Why Some Hate Evolution: The Wedge Document Revelations 105

15 The Endorsement Test and the "Informed, Reasonable Observer" 113

16 The Dover Policy on Teaching Evolution 121

17 The Dover Verdict 131

18 The Aftershocks of Dover 137

19 What Next? 143

20 The Long View 153

Appendix: Court Cases 159

Bibliography 165

Index 167

About the Author 173

Editorial Reviews

In recounting the history of creationism through major legal cases, Professor Singham correctly exposes the fear that drives creationists to keep searching for ways to undermine the teaching of evolution despite consistent defeats in the federal courts. He shows convincingly that, while religious objections to evolution persist, such objections are ultimately powerless to stop the advancement of science. This book expands the growing list of excellent books available for anyone who wants to understand the phenomenon of American creationism.

Barbara Forrest

The book is a history of attempts to restrict teaching in evolution.... This slim book is remarkably helpful in understanding how and why teaching religion in public schools has been vexed throughout history.... Recommended.

Choice Reviews - R.R. Sherman

Mano's captivating new book draws on his knowledge of both history and science to provide an expert analysis of the ongoing opposition to the teaching of evolution in America's public schools. He offers a clearly written, concise explanation of the evolution-religion controversy which has continued to play out in local school districts across the country. This is an absolute "must read" for school officials and community members alike. .. indeed for anyone interested in a fascinating illustration of who decides what should be taught in our nation's schools.

Jim Paces

Who wins in court cases when it's God vs. Darwin? So far, Darwin has been the victor. Physicist Singham (The Achievement Gap in U.S. Education) explains why antievolutionists encounter obstacles when attempting to have creationism and/or intelligent design taught alongside evolution in public schools. Singham begins with the 1925 Scopes trial (actually staged by city leaders for publicity and tourism), then relates the history of education in America, from pre-Constitution days to the present. Although the original purpose of education in the Western world was to teach religious doctrine, our country's founders were aware of the problems associated with a government linking itself with a particular set of beliefs; they legislated separation between government and religion. The establishment clause of the First Amendment and the "Lemon test" (from the 1971 decision in Lemon v. Kurtzman) continue to ensure that no single religious ideology is favored above others in public schools. VERDICT Those who read this with an open mind, from either side of the controversy, should better understand the value of separation of church and state. Readers unaccustomed to legalese may have difficulty wading through some of the court cases discussed.—Terry Christner, Hutchinson P.L., KS

Library Journal

The book is a history of attempts to restrict teaching in evolution.... This slim book is remarkably helpful in understanding how and why teaching religion in public schools has been vexed throughout history.... Recommended.
— R.R. Sherman

Choice