|
||
Biography:
William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was a leading figure in the early days of
American fundamentalism, but became best known for his defense of creationism and
attack on evolution in the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee.
Early fundamentalism was not very involved, politically, but Bryan was. Bryan was a political progressive who fought for the rights and dignity of working people. He played an important role in the ratification of four constitutional amdendments which he saw as helping create a more democratic and more righteous society: the progressive federal income tax, Prohibition, women's sufferage, and the direct election of senators.
Bryan received the Democratic nomination for President three times, never getting much support outside of rural and southern areas. In 1912 his support for Woodrow Wilson helped the latter get the presidency, and Bryan was made Secretary of State. His unwavering commitment to pacifism, however, brought him into conflict with the administration due to the developing war in Europe, and he eventually had to resign.
Bryan's belief in progressive politics was an important factor in his opposition to evolution. For one thing, Bryan was a strong believer in majoritarianism - he had no real regard for the rights of minorities in an area when a majority has voted to do something it desires. He didn't believe that the courts should have much power to overrule the decisions of elected bodies. For Bryan, the democratic system should be allowed to work because, in the end, it would always come to the best decisions. Bryan was a firm believer in the power and wisdome of the common people.
At the time, he feared that acceptance of evolution would lead to a weakening of public morals and a growth of Social Darwinism. According to Bryan, belief in the idea that humans are not "special" and merely descended from other animals would cause people to start behaving like animals - he thought that the actions of Germany during World War I were an excellent example of what would happen to any nation that accepted theological liberalism and modern science. Thus, he regarded the fight against evolution as the same as the fight to support morality and human dignity.
Select Quotes:
No concession can be made to the minority in this country without a surrender of the
fundamental principle of popular rule.
[Quoted in: Summer for the Gods, by Edward J. Larson]
If we have to give up either religion or education, we should give up education.
[source unknown]
All the ills from which America suffers can be traced to the teaching of evolution.
[source unknown]
If the Bible had said that Jonah swallowed the whale, I would believe it.
[source unknown]
The parents have a right to say that no teacher paid by their money shall rob their
children of faith in God and send them back to their homes skeptical, or infidels, or
agnostics, or atheists.
[Testimony at the Scopes trial, July 16, 1925]
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
