Creationism and Darwanism: Oh How the Roles Have Reversed

Hello everyone. It has been too long since I last posted, and, for that, I apologize. I shall do my best to be more vigilant in this task from now on. Now, on to the main topic of my post:

So, I was watching Footloose today, and I was struck by the amazing similarity to today's time. So, as many of you who've seen it know, this is a story about a kid (Ren) who moves into an environment entirely unlike what he is accustomed to. After all, Chicago to the podunk town Bomont? Yeah, a huge change. Anyway, the main plot of the movie is that it's illegal to dance in the town and dancing is a major part of his life, so he fights against it. However, this becomes incredibly difficult when he finds out that this anti-dancing initiative was founded and is still supported by the local religious leader, Reverend Shaw

An accident that had happened to the Reverend's son (also Ren's romantic interest's brother) gave the Reverend not only a personal vendetta, but a perfect way to further it. Due to this accident, he was able to ban both rock-n-roll music and dancing on the grounds that they were dangerously deadly. Another part of his campaign that they were also facilitators of sin. However, in the end, the protagonist wins and both dancing and music are returned to Bomont.

Along the course of the film, although he is not the main character, it seems to be Reverend Shaw who gets the most character development. Along the course of the film, he is gradually convinced of the fault of his ways, by many examples:

1. First off, things were never the same between him and his daughter after the ban was enacted. Even though he was entrusted with the spiritual well-being of the community overall, he was most concerned about his daughter. He felt similar to Grand Moff Tarkin when princess Leia said, "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." The more he tried to keep his daughter safe, the more rebellious she became. She was the first hint that he might be wrong.
2. Under Reverend Shaw's "rule" certain books had also been outlawed from the community, to try and keep the minds of the children safe. If only they hadn't banned Fahrenheit 451! But...that is a discussion for another day. In a sort of exaggeration of this policy, the parents of the town one day take to burning all the books that they see unfit for their children's eyes. Reverend Shaw is alerted, and runs to the library to stop the madness. He, of course, entirely disapproves of the practice, but realizes that it was him who started this philosophy.
3. Well, all the previous and Ren. However, this is getting lengthy, so I'm going to let you read the plot summary.

Although this is apparently based off a true story where dancing was banned in a town, I believe it is a much greater allegory to a much more significant event. Most of my readers will be too young to remember this, as am I, but there was a time where Darwinism fought for it's place in the American education system. They believed that they were right, but were willing to compromise and be taught right alongside Creationism in the classroom as two point's of view to be thought upon. Actually, many of the people who believed in Darwinism at this time would have rather there been a debate and thought process surrounding it than having them be taught alone. The majority of Creationists were against this idea for the same reason that Bomont citizens were against dancing: they believed it was a dangerous idea that could harm their children's spirituality.

There's a great movie on this topic, it's called Inherit the Wind. It's a real eye opener, and I think you should all obtain a copy and watch it. That being said...

If you'll notice, the exact same thing is happening, except it is now the other way around. Darwinism and evolution are now the absolute curriculum, and Creationism is being left out. And, still, for almost the same reason: Creationism is a dangerous idea, that may cloud the intellectual minds of the children. Oh, how the roles have reversed. Just something for you guys to think about (which is why I will not expound any further).

Until next time, my faithful readers. Hopefully next time will be an examination of recent time's "Bread and Circuses". Good night, and good luck.