Religious Fundamentalism

LO: Was America a country of religious and racial intolerance during

this period?

Key Words: Monkey Trial, Darwinism, Creationism

What do you think is meant by religious fundamentalism?

Watch the DVD clip to show an example of Christian fundamentalism!

KEY WORDReligious fundamentalist:

Someone who takes the Bible literally and holds extreme views on religion.

Sister Aimee McPherson Popular preacher of

the 1920s One of the first people

to use radio to spread her message

Thousands flocked to hear her speak

Sister Aimee’s Gospel Car!

America in the 1920s The Southern States of America in the 1920s

were known as the Bible Belt. They were traditionally religious and many people

here did not like the changes brought about by the ‘Jazz Age’

They thought flappers (fashionable women who often drank and smoked) were immoral and didn’t agree with the emphasis on sex, material goods and ‘loose morals.’

They passed laws banning wearing of ‘indecent’ bathing costumes, gambling on Sunday etc

The Bible Belt

1925 1925 –6 states, including Tennessee

passed law banning the teaching of Creationism

They thought it contradicted

the Bible

The BibleThe Bible teaches that God

created the world in 7 days.

Fundamentalists take the Bible literally. They believe that man came from Adam and Eve.

Charles Darwin Charles Darwin was a scientist. He came up with the Theory of

Evolution Life on earth evolved slowly over

millions of years Modern science has shown that

human beings are descended from apes and monkeys

Test yourself

1. What was the ‘Bible Belt’? (4 marks)

2. What did many southern states ban in 1925? (1 mark)

3. What are Fundamentalists? (1 mark)

4. Explain Darwinism (2 marks)

Johnny Scopes Johnny Scopes was a

science teacher in Tennessee.

He decided to put the law to the test.

He taught Darwinism knowing he would be prosecuted.

His trial took place in July 1925 in a packed courtroom, with over a hundred newsmen.

It was the first trial in American history to be broadcast on the radio

Clarence Darrow v William J. Bryan

Clarence Darrow offered to defend Stopes without a fee.

William Jennings Bryan was the leader of the prosecution

There was no doubt that Scopes was guilty.

However, the trial concentrated on the arguments for and against the Theory of Evolution

For this reason it was nicknamed The Monkey Trial

During the Trial

“Darrow: “Do you believe in Jonah and the Whale”?

Bryan: “It is easy to believe in the miracle of Jonah”

Darrow: “Did Eve really come from Adam’s rib”?

Bryan: Yes”

How did Darrow try to make a fool out

of Bryan?

The Verdict Scopes was found guilty and fined $100.

However, the outcome is generally seen as a victory for Darrow, who managed to humiliate Bryan