Religious Controversies While many appreciated the changes brought by advancements in science, many felt threatened by the move away from religious beliefs.

Scopes Trial In small town Dayton, Tennessee a teacher started teaching the theory of evolution in his science classes. This stirred outrage, and a trial began that drew the entire nation’s attention. The Scopes Trial, also called the Monkey Trial, brought the teacher, supported by the ACLU into the forefront in support of teaching ideas that could be in conflict with the Bible.

Return to Fundamentalism As times changed, so did the desire for many to return to the old ways and traditions of the church and of the Christian Bible. Fundamentalist preachers, those who believed in literal interpretation of the Bible, fought many battles, such as those against the teaching of evolution in the Scopes Trial, and also against the evils of society, such as drinking and dancing.

The Traveling Church Many fundamentalist preachers realized that in the changing society they were preaching, they could not get their message out just though Sunday church attendance. These evangelists started traveling the country to spread the word of the Bible, and even used the radio to reach new followers. These evangelical preachers often put on performances to draw large crowds, and raised millions for the construction of great temples or for more mission adventures.

Saving Grace For farmers in America, who were suffering from droughts and other hardships, their fundamental beliefs helped them to make their way through the times. Even those farmers who moved into the cities in search of new opportunities brought with them their Christian beliefs and often churches arose in the cities as a response of the newly moved in groups.