Summer for the Gods by Edward J. Larson

Author:Edward J. Larson [LARSON, EDWARD J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Basic Books
Published: 2020-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

Editorial cartoon during the Scopes trial presenting popular view of Darrow’s militant agnosticism. (Copyright © 1925 the Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee. Used with permission)

Stewart had heard enough. He did not want to lose control of the proceedings. Sensing Darrow’s strategic objective in raising the objection, Stewart promptly denied that any religious question existed in the case. “It is a case involving the fact as to whether or not a school-teacher has taught a doctrine prohibited by statute,” he asserted, again avoiding any mention of evolution. Stewart also rejected Darrow’s views on the inappropriateness of public prayer, stating that “such an idea extended by the agnostic counsel for the defense is foreign to the thoughts and ideas of the people who do not know anything about infidelity and care less.” Darrow fixed his deep-set eyes directly on the fiery young prosecutor who, according to one reporter, “was trembling with suppressed emotion as he forced out his last words.” The judge tried to defuse the situation, pleading at one point, “Gentlemen, do not turn this into an argument,” but overruled the objection. The prayer was heard.58

The issue of prayer resurfaced when court resumed in the afternoon. The defense again drew attention to the religious issue underlying the case by submitting a petition to the court, signed by Potter and other visiting modernist clerics, asking that “clergymen from other than fundamentalist churches” alternately deliver the opening prayer. Hays then moved that “we have an opportunity to hear prayers by men who think that God has shown His divinity in the wonders of nature, in the book of nature, quite as much as in the book of the revealed word.” Perhaps no single sentence during the entire trial better captured the difference between modernism and fundamentalism.59 Judge Raulston deftly referred the petition to the local pastors’ association and asked that group to choose who should deliver future courtroom prayers. Visiting journalists began to laugh. Local spectators cheered. Hays objected. Everyone thought that this would preclude modernists from the task, but the association picked Potter for the very next day and alternated between fundamentalists and modernists thereafter.

Tensions reached a high point that afternoon. Spectators filled every available seat, and several hundred people stood in the aisles and along the walls. County officials worried aloud that the floor might collapse under the weight. Power and water remained out, stopping the electric fans and drinking water. Nothing happened. “For a hour and a half,” the Commercial Appeal reported, “the hot, bustling crowd puffed, fanned, smoked and drank red soda pop waiting for the judge.”60 Scopes lit one cigarette after another. A rumor spread that an INS reporter had scooped the judge’s ruling. Raulston finally entered the courtroom at 3:45 and after dealing with the clerics’ petition, addressed the press. “I am now informed that the newspapers in the large cities are now being sold which undertake to state what my opinion is,” he sternly lectured. “Now any person that sent out any such information as that, sent

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