Science, religion and Scopes: Conflict and cooperation

Last Updated 4/4/2025


The “Great Commoner,” William Jennings Bryan, an outspoken proponent of the historic Christian faith, and the “Great Agnostic,” Clarence Darrow, a critic of Bryan and the faith he espoused, headlined the cast during the Scopes Trial in 1925.

Their arguments were among the earliest—and most prominent—to land in court as “Modernists” and “Fundamentalists” battled over faith and science. But was the battle that new or was it a misunderstanding of the historical relationship between the two disciplines?

Join us July 16 in the Scopes Trial Courtroom of the Rhea County Courthouse as Dr. Nick Spencer traces the fascinating history of the interaction of science and religion and how it contributed to what became the Scopes Trial.

Spencer, author of Magisteria: The Entangled Histories of Science and Religion, and presenter of the BBC Radio series The Secret History of Science and Religion, will open Evolving Conflict: Scopes at 100, a two-day program examining a range of topics related to the trial.

For more information or to secure tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/2d7k5wdx.

The Scopes Trial Centennial celebration is presented by Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation, Rhea County Historical Society, Bryan College, and the Rhea County Department of Tourism.

May 28, 1925—THIS DAY IN SCOPES HISTORYBryan writes to Dayton attorneys Sue and Herbert Hicks that John Scopes’s upcoming trial is “the easiest case to explain I have ever fou...
Scopes Trial Play cast enjoy get-togetherCurrent and future cast members for Destiny in Dayton gathered May 20 in the Scopes Trial Museum for a get-together to kick off rehearsa...
Economic Director Alex Green volunteers with the Rhea He... Alex Green is the youngest member of the Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation board of directors, but he brings with him a lifetime of ...
May 22, 1925—THIS DAY IN SCOPES HISTORYThe Dayton Progressive Club commits to raising $5,000 ($87,200 in 2023) to “tell the world about Dayton.” Although members of the group ...
Rex and the Ramblers kick off concert series
Jun 06, 2025
6:30 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Read More 
Eddie Beavers takes the stage June 13
Jun 13, 2025
6:30 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Read More 
Joe C. DeVille rocks the courthouse June 20
Jun 20, 2025
6:30 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Read More 
Wilson and Cross closes out summer concert series June 27
Jun 27, 2025
6:30 PM EDT
1475 Market Street
Dayton, TN 37321
Read More 

Thank You to our Sponsors!