God vs. Darwin: The War between Evolution and Creationism in the Classroom

(Paperback)

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In God vs. Darwin, Mano Singham dissects the legal battle between evolution and creationism in the classroom beginning with the Scopes Monkey trial in 1925 and ending with an intelligent design trial in Dover, Pennsylvania, in 2005. A publicity stunt, the Scopes Monkey trial had less to do with legal precedence than with generating tourism dollars for a rural Tennessee town. But the trial did successfully spark a debate that has lasted more than 80 years and simply will not be quelled despite a succession of seemingly definitive court decisions. In the greatest demonstration of survival, opposition to the teaching of evolution has itself evolved. Attempts to completely eliminate the teaching of evolution from public schools have given way to the recognition that evolution is here to stay, that explicitly religious ideas will never be allowed in public schools, and that the best that can be hoped for is to chip away at the credibility of the theory of evolution.

Dr. Singham deftly answers complex questions: Why is there such intense antagonism to the teaching of evolution in the United States What have the courts said about the various attempts to oppose it Sprinkled with interesting tidbits about Charles Darwin and the major players of the evolution vs. creationism debate, God vs. Darwin is charming in its embrace of the strong passions aroused from the topic of teaching evolution in schools.

Reviews

Those who read this with an open mind, from either side of the controversy, should better understand the value of separation of church and state. * Library Journal *
The book is a history of attempts to restrict teaching in evolution.... This slim book is remarkably helpful in understanding how and why teaching religion in public schools has been vexed throughout history.... Recommended. -- R.R. Sherman * Choice Reviews *
Mano's captivating new book draws on his knowledge of both history and science to provide an expert analysis of the ongoing opposition to the teaching of evolution in America's public schools. He offers a clearly written, concise explanation of the evolution-religion controversy which has continued to play out in local school districts across the country. This is an absolute "must read" for school officials and community members alike . . . indeed for anyone interested in a fascinating illustration of who decides what should be taught in our nation's schools. -- Jim Paces, executive director of curriculum, Shaker Heights City Schools, Ohio
In recounting the history of creationism through major legal cases, Professor Singham correctly exposes the fear that drives creationists to keep searching for ways to undermine the teaching of evolution despite consistent defeats in the federal courts. He shows convincingly that, while religious objections to evolution persist, such objections are ultimately powerless to stop the advancement of science. This book expands the growing list of excellent books available for anyone who wants to understand the phenomenon of American creationism. -- Barbara Forrest, co-author Creationisms Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design, Oxford University Press, 2004, 2007.

Author Bio

Mano Singham is a theoretical nuclear physicist with interests in the history and philosophy of science, theories of knowledge and education, and the achievement gap. Originally from Sri Lanka, he has taught and done research at various universities and research laboratories in Sri Lanka and the United States. He is currently the Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education and Adjunct Associate Professor of Physics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He has also written The Achievement Gap in US Education: Canaries in the Mine (Rowman and Littlefield Education, 2005).