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How do the ideas of creationism and darwinism conflict in society?



"Are evolution and religion complimentary or contradictory? Should religious people oppose the teaching of evolution because it violates their beliefs, or should they embrace it as an example of how the human mind can learn about the history of our existence?"(1)

The controversy between creationism and darwinism is most frequently debated in how it should be taught in school. While science teachers teach evolution because it is scientifically proven, many believe creationism is also a "science" and should also be taught in U.S. schools.
"Did you hear that my friends?'Old World Monkeys'! According to {Mr. Wilson}, you and I aren't even descended from good American monkeys!"(Lee 69)



"In and around the Water Valley Courthouse. This is not so much a literal view of Water Valley as it is an impression of a sleepy, obscure country town about to be vigorously awakened"(3).






"The foreground is the actual courtroom, with jury box, judge's bench and a scattering of trail-scarred chairs and counsel tables."(3)


Twenty-nine year old Michael Wilson, a sophomore biology teacher at Water Valley High School waits and listens to the charges against him.

"You know why I did it? I had the book in my hands, Hunters Civic Biology. I opened it up and read my sophomore class Chapter 17, Darwins Origin Of Species"(8).


Lawyer Tom Fitzgerald brings one of Mr. Wilsons students up to the stand.
"Tell them what else {Mr. Wilson} told you in the classroom."(68)

Fitzgerald brings Rodney, a student of Mr.Wilson, to the stand to try to make a mockery of the theory of Darwinism.

"In all this talk of bugs and 'Evil-lution,' of slime and ooze, did {Mr. Wilson} ever make any reference to God?'(69)

"Objection!"(73).

The fact of the matter is that if creationism can be taught in school, it should be allowed for darwinism to be taught as.

"Everything in the Bible should be accepted, exactly as it is given there"(87).

Therefore, the people of Water Valley believe no one should go against the word of God.

"A thinking man! And he is threatened with fine and imprisonment because he chooses to speak what he thinks" (72).
Should Mr. Wilson be jailed for teaching a theory which he thinks is right?

"I was a schoolteacher. I feel I have been convicted of violating an unjust law" (115)

"I am a friend of enemies, the enemy of friends; I am admired for my detestability. I am both Poles and the Equator, With no Temperate Zones between" (33).
The judge has no idea what to do because both views are arguably correct.

What will be the final verdict...