Billy Sunday used to preach against
alcohol, what does he have to
preach about now??
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykn8YcIbmfo
Billy Sunday preaching
The Struggle Between Old & New
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For most of New Jersey history, it was forbidden to engage in "dancing,
singing, fiddling, or other music for the sake of merriment" on a Sunday.
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So, on Sunday, Aug. 28, 1921, all of Trenton's movie theaters opened for
business, in outright defiance of the law.
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In Newark, Hoboken and many Shore towns, authorities figured they were
free to let movies open on Sundays.
16,000 signatures against opening on Sundays
On August 28th the police arrested the movie theater owner, manager, cashier
and receptionist
In 1924 the people voted a “liberal” into office – 1933 Trenton removed blue
laws (except Bergen County’s ban on commercial activities)
The Rise of Fundamentalism in the 1920s
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Return to traditional faith and values
Strict interpretation of the bible
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The Fundamentals (1910-1915), a
twelve-volume set of essays
designed to combat Liberal
Why now??
changing society creating “loose” morals theology, the movement grew by
leaps and bounds after World War
•
Gangsters
I.
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Flappers
Starts in the South, rural areas
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Follow the bible exactly as it is written
More women working
Dating practices
Teenagers going to HS
Modern society causing a focus on science
over religion
•
Darwin’s theory of evolution gains steam
The Struggle Between Old & New
The Conflict: What was the place of
religion in American society?
Some wanted to adapt religion to
new ways and ideas, others resented
and feared these developments
Fundamentalists Fight Changing America

Fundamentalists gain
power in government:
Blue Laws to protect
traditional American
values
 Stop teaching of
evolution
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William Jennings
Bryan, “[i]t is
better to trust in
the Rock of Ages,
than to know the
age of the rocks; it
is better for one to
know that he is
close to the
Heavenly Father,
than to know how
far the stars in the
heavens are
apart.“
Fundamentalist Fight the
Teaching of Evolution
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1925: Butler Bill (TN) – makes
it illegal to, "to teach any theory that
denies the story of divine creation as
taught by the Bible and to teach instead
that man was descended from a lower
order of animals."
71 to 5
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9IO4dj_B
qQ
A Fight Between Old & New
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ACLU (American Civil Liberties
Union) offered to support
anyone who would challenge
the law
John Scopes, biology teacher
Dayton, TN, agreed to test the
law
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Why do you need to test the law
in order to fight it?
Scopes arrested & case goes to
trial
The “Monkey Trial”
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Trial is like a carnival
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Broadcast & thousands watched
(Defense Attorney) Clarence Darrow
to Bryan, "fool ideas that no intelligent
Christian on earth believes.“
(Prosecutor) William J Bryan to
Darrow, making a “slur at the Bible"
Darrow asks for guilt verdict so can
appeal - $100 fine
1927 Butler law found constitutional by
state supreme court
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Law remains for another 40 years!!!
Evolution not in textbooks until 1960s
What does this tell us about the
1920s?
Bryan wins the case, but loses the argument

"As a man and as a legend,
Bryant was destroyed by his
testimony that day" his
performance described by
the press as "pitiable, punch
drunk warrior"

Darrow came off "as
something of an antireligious cynic“
And the controversy continues…
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1926 Mississippi banned teaching evolution
1928 Arkansas
1967 TN repeals Butler Act
1968 – In Epperson v. Arkansas, the Supreme Court
strikes down an Arkansas law banning the teaching of
evolution
1973 TN – must teach creation & evolution disclaimer ,
later LA does same thing
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Unconstitutional
Still a debate….
Fundamentalist role in government
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State level – Blue Laws
Blue laws, 1961 upheld McGowan v.
Maryland;
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CT no retail on Sundays until 1970s
Bergen County, NJ – commercial ban
PA, cars, hunting, until 2003 alcohol
Utah, alcohol and automobiles
SC, before 1:30 – sporting events
Selman v. Dobb County GA (2005)
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Textbook disclaimer