Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In the years surrounding the Scopes trial, the University of Chicago Divinity School — the geographic and theological center of Protestant modernism in North America — published a series of 10 pamphlets on “Science and Religion” by nationally prominent scientists and religious leaders. Intended to diminish opposition to evolution and to persuade Christians to adopt more positive attitudes toward modern science, they were widely distributed to high school principals, university campuses, scientists, clergy, and legislators. Very scarce today, the pamphlets and their history constitute a revealing window on the Protestant modernist encounter with science, adding new context for understanding William Jennings Bryan and his opponents at the trial. Presented by Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis as part of NCSE's webinar series, "The Scopes 'Monkey' Trial: Past, Present, and Future." Watch all three webinars in the series: https://ncse.ngo/scopes-centennial-celebration
NCSE's work to promote science literacy and challenge threats to science education is funded by donors. Please consider making a contribution today at https://ncse.ngo/donate-scopes-2025. Thank you to all who support our work.
In the years surrounding the Scopes trial, the University of Chicago Divinity School — the geographic and theological center of Protestant modernism in North America — published a series of 10 pamphlets on “Science and Religion” by nationally prominent scientists and religious leaders. Intended to diminish opposition to evolution and to persuade Christians to adopt more positive attitudes toward modern science, they were widely distributed to high school principals, university campuses, scientists, clergy, and legislators. Very scarce today, the pamphlets and their history constitute a revealing window on the Protestant modernist encounter with science, adding new context for understanding William Jennings Bryan and his opponents at the trial. Presented by Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis as part of NCSE's webinar series, "The Scopes 'Monkey' Trial: Past, Present, and Future." Watch all three webinars in the series: https://ncse.ngo/scopes-centennial-celebration
NCSE's work to promote science literacy and challenge threats to science education is funded by donors. Please consider making a contribution today at https://ncse.ngo/donate-scopes-2025. Thank you to all who support our work.
