The Scopes Monkey Trial, Redux

A particular news item caught my eye today. It seems that certain IMAX cinemas in Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas are refusing to show a new documentary movie called "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea". What, you may ask, is the reason for this?

Is it filled with foul language? No. Does it contain graphic violence? No. Does it have full frontal nudity? I doubt it.

But wouldn't that be cool? IMAX and full frontal nudity! Imagine seeing Pamela Anderson's "volcanoes" in full IMAX size...

But I digress. No, the reason this film will not be seen in certain southern cities is that it DARES to mention the Theory of Evolution.

That's right. It makes some form of connection between Deep Sea Volcanoes and their effect on DNA. It suggests that these volcanoes may have had something to do with the formation of life on earth.

I know. You can't believe it. "How could this possibly offend anybody?", I hear you cry.

You have to remember, though, that this is the same area of the country that where less than 80 years ago there was a law in place that forbid the teaching of the Theory of Evolution, or any other theory that ran counter to the teachings of The Bible. A man was actually put in jail for teaching the Theory of Evolution. The infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" occured in in the tiny town of Dayton in east Tennessee, a short trip from Georgia and both Carolinas. In that trial, which would inspire a well-known play that in turn inspired no less than 3 movies, a single man was put on trial for daring to try to teach a scientifically validated theory that happened to run counter to the laws of the time. It was a one of many sad moments in the history of education in this country.

Of course, you should also remember that this is also the same area of the country where, less than a half-century ago, there were laws in place that made it illegal for Whites and Blacks to sit at the same lunch counter, attend the same schools, use the same drinking fountains, etc. Laws, mind you, that were often enforced at gunpoint.

My point to all this is that ignorance is a highly contagious disease that can only be controlled by education. And now, yet another source of that education has been cut off.

For details on the story try this link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4378541.stm