The Influence of Modernism - Literature review Example

The influence of modernism to the ideas of the society somehow generates conflict of ideas as the new ideas and approach may relatively be oppossite to the traditional beliefs that the society accept for ages. The ideological struggle that takes place in the Scope Monkey Trial, show how significantly, modernism could make a direct and indirect influence to the way by which the society will accept or reject new ideologies. In conjunction to this, society as being influenced by modernism might also, in the same way, will possess another perspective to the traditionally accepted facts or beliefs. These things sometimes would be the reason for agnostic and atheistic point of views, therefore supporting theories that are opposite to what religion and history conveyed for a long time. Larson (1997), diligently describes his perspective and understanding about the Scope Monkey Trial and how issues about science and religion captures the interest of many people for debates, and happened to be a significant influence in the culture and education of the United States. He clearly points out a never ending discussion that attaches to both science and religion, the evolution vs the intelligent design issue, the modern and the traditional, and the direct and indirect effect of modernism to the society as a whole. Not everybody will support the idea that evolution is true, but in the same manner not every member of the society will reject it. Because of that, science and religion has become the interest of debates. The most compromising about it, is when a the debate become an issue for mandating such law that will prevent anyone to teach some theories accepted by other members of the society as part of their individual freedom. Bryan Jennings, in that famous Scope Monkey Trial, do not embrace the theory of evolution. He is behind the idea that evolution should not be taught in schools and subject matters of teaching (particularly the state of Tenessee) should be of local control. His point clearly shows his supportive idea to his affiliation, and how the introduction of modernism alarms him. He might be in the judgement that ideas of modernism, like the theory of evolution, could be in some extent influential to the mind of the youth. Because of that, to avoid that this idea will be injected to the students, the way that it could be done is to cover it with his fundamentalist effort. That is to make a move that any possible introduction of evolution ideas should be prevented from being taught in schools. He stresses that the citizen are paying taxes to the government, therefore they have the right as the majority to put regulation into the education that their children will receive. The supporters of evolutionary theory tend to debate against this issue because they believe that what the local government is doing, particularly the passing of the Butler Act, is against the academic freedom of teachers and students for their choice of public education. It might be giving them the idea that the government might just be sacrificing some of the rights of people to information. In this context, the evolutionary group, defended by Darrow insist that Scope should not be blamed nor be sanctioned by the law because he has the right as a teacher to practice his profession, and in the same way, students has the right to know that certain theories exist. It is indeed a clear view of the modernistic view, that such knowledge is a part of the changing times. Those things might not necessarily put disrespect to traditional idea, however, it only gives another interpretation to human existence which the people should know. Through an analysis, there is a line that connects between modernism and religion. Modernism, produces intellectuals that are capable of making interpretations and analyses of existing facts, and through science attempts to explain, expound and/or even reject ideas that religion and faith commonly adress as significant to the society. Because of this, as they present facts that they believe to contest the traditional ideas, they were branded to be on the side of anti-relgion people, wherein fundamentalist group, including Jennings would not be silent or without action. Fundamentalism of Bryan Jennings is of conservative nature and he is an eager supporter of the fundamentalist movement. Together with many others, most especially those who rejects Darwin, give hand to the crusade against the acceptance or even the teaching of the Darwinian Theory to schools. During the time of the Scope Monkey Trial is a period when fundamentalist are so much concious of the preservation of the religion in America, such that they march against any ideas that seems to be destructive or discredits religious belief. We can say that Bryan Jennings is somehow different from the fundamentalist that exist today. Though these people may not support the idea of Darwin about evolution theory, they are not insisting their belief as to do what Bryan has done: to make fundamentalism as a political movement that will make decision to social issues on the basis of their beliefs. Most probably, fundamentalist today has learned that there should be a margin line that should be established between education and religion itself. We can observe several fundamentalists groups today, but their main concern is of spirituality of people, and do not involve themselves too much in political and government decisions. The eagerness of fundamentalist before to their religious belief somehow achieved power to government decisions, wherein fundamentalist today are not insistent. Religion is a part of the popular culture of the society. The belief of the people, their spiritual devotion and relationship to God, secular affiliations, and the ideas it represents would largely constitute on how a particular society or group of people would behave or act against modern ideas. The more that a person is too conservative about his belief is the more he will reject the theories of Darwin, like Bryan Jennings is. From time to time, there might be changes of ideas, and these changes of ideas in the aspect of modernism could relatively influence on how people might think about religion and faith. Because of too varieties of religious groups that appeared today, they themselves do have different approaches and belief about the ideas presented by the modern American society. There is more liberalism today, and to some extent it has created an impact to religion and belief even to the sort of disbelief to the former religious traditions. One of the best evidence that we could see, is when the novel Da Vinci Code has been circulated. The ideas and things that it discusses has made again another debate to the questions about historical and biblical figures. It has given doubts to many people both and disapproval to many fundamentalists. In the same manner, evolution theory and scriptural meanings lead to national debate, and that is another thing that resulted from modernism. Modernism fosters a doorway to liberal thinkers to challenge things that are formerly shown and presented. Everyday, new ideas and new challenges, new arguments and counter-arguments appear, and it is a part of the continuous sociological change. As the society changes, more ideas will appear, and there is a lot of thing that both evolution supporters and anti-evolution group will try to contest and prove. Works Cited: Owen R., D. “The Significance of the Scopes Trial,” Current History Magazine 22 (September 1925): 875. Linder, D.,O. State v. John Scopes ("The Monkey Trial"). Speech on the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Opening of the Scopes Trial. July 10, 2000. Edward J. Larson. Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and Americas Continuing Debate over Science and Religion. New York: Basic Books, 1997. Read More