The Evolution of the Creation Controversy in Twentieth Century America
"The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an improved theory, is it then a science or faith?" Charles Darwin

"The empirical detectability of intelligent causes renders intelligent design a fully scientific theory." William Dembski

Introduction
Questions on the origin of life and of the universe must have permeated human thought since the very beginning of the thought process itself. Philosophers, natural scientists, and theologians have long historical records of dealing with the explanations of mankind's origin, function, purpose, and ultimate destiny1. In a seemingly …show more content…

Many southerners felt that the industrial north was part of the problem of the emergence of evolution. In the 1920's, the conflict became a public issue. Religious traditionalists accused Darwin of "limiting God's glory in creation and of attempting to dethrone God"3.
By the 1920's, the idea of evolution divided Protestant churches. Fundamentalists denied the validity of evolution and modernists tried to reconcile faith and science. Control over educational institutions was arena for the battle. Books published throughout the 1920's ignored evolutionary biology. New editions of older volumes deleted the word "evolution" and "Darwin". The overall teaching of evolution declined after 1925. Between 1922 and 1929, forty-six pieces of legislation were aimed at not teaching evolution. Three of those passed, the others were considered unconstitutional8.
The Sputnik launch in 1957 began the science curriculum reform movement. Its goal was to build up scientific and technical manpower by bringing modern scientific knowledge to public schools. Introducing students to the key concepts and methods of the academic science disciplines was important7. The progressive education movement after WWI reflected visions of a new and better world. Schools became a means to apply a promise to the American ideals