Thanks for this thoughtful piece. Trying to stop the caricature and stereotyping of those I trust and those I don't -- that's not easy work. But it sure is important!
As a New Englander, I discovered the trial from its fictional reimagining in the play Inherit the Wind. They made a TV movie version with Jack Lemon and George C Scott.
Also, your four stages of evolving beliefs is a great mirror to McLaren’s four stages of faith outlined in the great book Faith After Doubt.
I so appreciate this post. I resonate with coming back around to home again with fresh eyes after deconstruction, appreciating the reality of things beyond caricatures.
Thanks so much, Amanda. My goodness, your writing, from your books to Substack, is so thoughtful and inspiring. With attribution, of course, I plan to quote from this piece in my sermon this Sunday. Blessings to you and your family …
Yes, yes, to replacing simplistic stereotypes and us versus them with complexity.
I once heard a Christian history professor describe Bryan as “the Bernie Sanders of his day” which I bet didn’t get mentioned much in Dayton. And we have the irony of Bryan being a vehement opponent of Social Darwinism when so many of his spiritual descendants today are gladly supporting Social Darwinism (as expressed by Ayn Rand and in the Big Beautiful Bill).
Thanks for this thoughtful piece. Trying to stop the caricature and stereotyping of those I trust and those I don't -- that's not easy work. But it sure is important!
Thanks for reading!
As a New Englander, I discovered the trial from its fictional reimagining in the play Inherit the Wind. They made a TV movie version with Jack Lemon and George C Scott.
Also, your four stages of evolving beliefs is a great mirror to McLaren’s four stages of faith outlined in the great book Faith After Doubt.
Yes Inherit the Wind is how most people form their opinions of the trial.
This is great, Amanda. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and love.
Thanks Keri-Lynn!
I so appreciate this post. I resonate with coming back around to home again with fresh eyes after deconstruction, appreciating the reality of things beyond caricatures.
Yes, post deconstruction is such an eye opening space.
This is thoughtful and challenging and beautifully written. Thank you.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much, Amanda. My goodness, your writing, from your books to Substack, is so thoughtful and inspiring. With attribution, of course, I plan to quote from this piece in my sermon this Sunday. Blessings to you and your family …
Very insightful Amanda.
Love this, Amanda! So well felt, thought out & stated!
This might be my favorite thing of yours I've ever read. Thank you for it. Really.
Thanks Lore, truly. Took me forever to write…
I just now got around to reading this and your RNS article. Both are great. I really appreciate your work.
Thank you so much!!
Yes, yes, to replacing simplistic stereotypes and us versus them with complexity.
I once heard a Christian history professor describe Bryan as “the Bernie Sanders of his day” which I bet didn’t get mentioned much in Dayton. And we have the irony of Bryan being a vehement opponent of Social Darwinism when so many of his spiritual descendants today are gladly supporting Social Darwinism (as expressed by Ayn Rand and in the Big Beautiful Bill).
Ha, that’s an interesting comparison!