Brenda Wineapple - Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy and the Trial That Riveted a Nation

Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation, explains her interest in the 1925 Scopes Trial, a pivotal moment in American history that captivated the nation. The trial was covered extensively, even broadcast on radio—a relatively new medium at the time. What drew Wineapple in was the cultural significance of the event, as well as the broader implications of the trial, which revolved around a Tennessee law (the Butler Act) that banned the teaching of evolution in public schools.

This law sparked a legal battle between two famous figures: William Jennings Bryan, a Christian fundamentalist and three-time presidential candidate, who prosecuted John Scopes, and Clarence Darrow, a renowned agnostic defense lawyer. While the trial was ostensibly about evolution, Wineapple argues that it represented something deeper—America's fear of change. The trial symbolized the broader cultural and intellectual shifts taking place, from science and religion to education and morality.

The Scopes Trial was a reflection of ongoing debates about who controls education, what should be taught, and the intersection of science and faith—issues that continue to resonate today. The trial is a fascinating example of how these larger cultural battles played out in the courtroom, and Wineapple’s exploration shows how such trials can reveal the underlying tensions shaping American society.