The Scopes Trial Centennial conference took place on July 18 – 20, 2025 at The Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, TN.
Watch videos of the speakers below, and while you’re here, visit the photo gallery.
The speakers were:
DAN BARKER
Dan Barker, who has been co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation since 2004, became a freethinker in 1983, after serving as an associate pastor with a musical ministry. His many books include “Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist,” “Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children,” “Godless,” “The Good Atheist: Living a Purpose-Filled Life without God,” “Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning, “GOD: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction,” and “Free Will Explained: How Science and Philosophy Converse to Create a Beautiful Illusion.” His most recent book is “Contraduction.” A professional pianist and composer, Dan has written many freethought songs. He first joined FFRF’s staff in 1987 and has engaged in more than 100 debates about religion. He is co-host of Freethought Radio and “Freethought Matters” (TV).
ROBYN BLUMNER
Robyn E. Blumner is president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry and executive director of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science. She is a lawyer who previously held posts as a syndicated columnist and editorial writer at the Tampa Bay Times and as executive director of the ACLU of Florida and ACLU of Utah.
TAHIRA CLAYTON
Tahira Clayton is a world-renowned vocalist who performs nationally and internationally as a band leader and featured vocalist. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2015 with a BA in music with an emphasis in vocal jazz and lives in New York City. Tahira joined Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: “Songs We Love,” a national tour, in 2023. In 2024, Tahiras became an ambassador of the National Jazz Museum of Harlem and one of their three house bands. She serves as vice president and is a founding board member of the Women in Jazz Organization, and directs its mentorship program. She has presented lectures on “The Dangers of Jazz: Sexism in Society” to international audiences. “Wait, Till Now” is her debut album of original compositions. A creative teaching artist, clinician and vocal coach, she maintains her own studio.
CHRIS CAMERON
History Professor Chris Cameron teaches at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research interests include African American religious and intellectual history, slavery and abolition, religious liberalism and American secularism. His books include “The Abolitionist Movement: Documents Decoded,” “Early American History: Society, Politics and Culture,” and “Black Freethinkers: A History of African American Secularism.” He co-edited “To Plead Our Own Cause: African Americans in Massachusetts and the Making of the Antislavery Movement,” “New Perspectives on the Black Intellectual Tradition,” and “Race, Religion, and Black Lives Matter.” His current book project is titled “Liberal Religion and Race in America,” in part tracing how African Americans were among the founders of the first Universalist churches. His B.A. is from Keene State College, his M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He runs marathons and is the father of three. He is also currently an undergraduate student at UNC Charlotte pursuing a bachelor’s in French.
This is the speech, edited for length, given by Chris Cameron at FFRF’s Scopes Centennial celebration in Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 19, 2025. He was introduced by comedian and convention emcee Leighann Lord. To watch the full speech, go to ffrf.org/scopescon.
Leighann Lord: Our next speaker is history professor Chris Cameron, who teaches at UNC Charlotte. His books include “The Abolitionist Movement: Documents Decoded,” “Early American History: Society, Politics and Culture” and “Black Freethinkers: A History of African-American Secularism.” He has co-edited several books, including “Race, Religion and Black Lives Matter.”
This Ph.D.-holding, marathon-running father of three is also pursuing a degree in French.
Please welcome Chris Cameron.
Read Chris’ speech in Freethought Today.
RICHARD DAWKINS
Richard Dawkins is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and bestselling author. He is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, and was the University of Oxford’s Professor for Public Understanding of Science from 1995 until 2008. In 2006, he founded the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, now a division of the Center for Inquiry. Dawkins is one of the most respected scientists and biggest draws in secularism, Richard Dawkins always generates impressive crowds when visiting North America. Secularism is sweeping America as a movement, and Richard Dawkins is one of the catalysts who galvanizes it.
JOHN DE LANCIE
John de Lancie began acting at 14 years old in a high school production of Henry V. By the time he graduated, he had performed in Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Twelfth Night. After four years at Kent State University (yes, he was there on May 4th, 1970), John was awarded a scholarship to Juilliard and then went on to work at the American Shakespeare Company. In 1977, he unexpectedly won a two-year contract with Universal Studios and appeared in over 40 TV shows and movies during that time. Next, it was back to the theater for a one-year stint at the Seattle Repertory Company. In 1980, John was offered a few days of work on Days of Our Lives, but his character, Eugene, became so popular that he was on the show for three years, gracing the cover of numerous TV guides and garnering two People’s Choice awards. Then came Star Trek and the infamous character “Q.” Like Eugene, Q was also intended to be a one-off, but it became a breakout character. As Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry said with a smile, “John, you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into!” Many TV and film roles later, John extended his career into classical music. His narrations with symphony orchestras in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia led to his writing and hosting the LA Philharmonic’s children’s concerts and writing a series of symphonic plays called “First Nights.” He then began directing operas and galas for events such as the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. During this time, John also created a company with Leonard Nimoy called “Alien Voices,” where he co-wrote and produced adaptations of classic science fiction for Simon and Schuster and the Sci-Fi Channel. John’s interest in science education and evolution began when he toured the country with a show about the Scopes Monkey Trial. The tour opened his eyes to the extent of religious organizations’ attacks on science and evolution, so John co-wrote with Kristen Treager the show you are going to hear tonight – The Dover Intelligent Design Trial.
ZENOS FRUDAKIS
Zenos Frudakis studied by scholarship at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, completing his formal education with a Bachelor in Fine Art and a Master in Fine Art at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the past four decades, he has created monumental works in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. Although Zenos creates personal, expressive works of art, he is a commissioned artist with wide-ranging versatility. He sculpted the Clarence Darrow statue FFRF erected in Dayton, Tenn., on the Rhea County Courthouse lawn.
ANNIE LAURIE GAYLOR
Annie Laurie Gaylor, as a college student, co-founded the Freedom From Religion Foundation with her mother, Anne Nicol Gaylor, a well-known feminist and abortion rights activist. She ended commencement prayers as an undergraduate at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the late 1970s, and since then has been a plaintiff in or overseen many state/church lawsuits. Her book “Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So” was first published by FFRF in 1981. FFRF also published “Betrayal of Abuse: Clergy Abuse of Children” in 1988 and her 1997 anthology, “Women Without Superstition.” She was an award-winning student reporter, graduating with a degree in journalism in 1980, and edited and published The Feminist Connection newspaper from 1980–1984. She first joined FFRF’s staff in 1985 as editor of its newspaper, Freethought Today. She became co-president with her husband, Dan Barker, in 2004. She is co-host of Freethought Radio and FFRF’s TV show, “Freethought Matters.”
These are the slightly edited opening remarks on July 18, 2025, at the Scopes Centennial Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn.
By Annie Laurie Gaylor
On behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation: Welcome — and thank you for being part of this historic event. FFRF is delighted to be a cosponsor with Robyn Blumner and CFI, and to present a remarkable line-up of speakers.
I’ve been surprised by the number of individuals who, when I’ve mentioned this conference, have never heard of the Scopes Trial. Let’s hope this isn’t the kind of case that freethinker George Santayana warned about in his oft-quoted words, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
What’s the takeaway from the “Trial of the Century”? I’m eager to learn how our assembled experts and historians at this event evaluate its legacy. Briefly, I’d like to recount one little-known bit of legacy from “the monkey trial.”
Read more of Annie Laurie’s opening remarks in Freethought Today
JUDGE JOHN JONES
John E. Jones III, who is now president of Dickinson College, retired as chief judge of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania. He was appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2002. Jones presided over a number of high-profile cases, including the landmark
case of Kitzmiller v. Dover School District, after which he held that it was unconstitutional to teach intelligent design within a public school science curriculum. He also resolved the matter of Whitewood v. Wolf by striking down as unconstitutional Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage. Jones co-chaired Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Ridge’s transition team and served as chair of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Jones has received numerous accolades during his career. In 2006, Time Magazine named him as one of its Time 100 most influential people in the world. He was the recipient of the first John Marshall Judicial Independence Award given by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He also received the Geological Society of America’s President’s Medal and was inducted into the George Washington Spirit Society. An engaged alumnus and champion of the liberal arts, Jones was presented with an honorary doctorate in law and public policy from Dickinson College, where he was also recognized as one of the 25 most influential graduates in the college’s history.
Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Dickinson College and Penn State Dickinson Law. He and his wife, Beth, have two children, Meghan and John, and three grandchildren. Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Dickinson College and Penn State Dickinson Law.
RICHARD KATSKEE
Richard Katskee is an assistant clinical professor of law and director of Duke’s Appellate Litigation Clinic. Previously, Richard was legal director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, managing cutting-edge cases under the First Amendment’s Establishment, Free Exercise, and Free Speech Clauses. He was also a longtime member of the Supreme Court & Appellate practice at Mayer Brown LLP in Washington, D.C., and deputy director of the Program Legal Group in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. He has taught First Amendment law at the American University Washington College of Law and professional and political ethics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard College. He was the Eugene P. Beard Graduate Fellow in Ethics at Harvard’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School, his A.M. in political science from Harvard University, and his A.B. with highest distinction and high honors in political science from the University of Michigan. He clerked for Judge Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
ED LARSON
Ed Larson holds the Darling Chair in Law and is University Professor of History at Pepperdine University. Recipient of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in history for his book, “Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion,” Larson served as associate counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives and taught for 20 years at the University of Georgia, where he chaired the history department. The author of 15 books and over eighty published articles, his books include ‘Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory” and bestsellers on Franklin and Washington. Larson recently published “American Inheritance: Liberty and Slavery in the Birth of a Nation, 1765-1795.” His articles on science, history, or law have appeared in such varied journals as Nature, Time, Atlantic Monthly, American History, Scientific American, The Nation, Wall Street Journal, Isis, and 20 law reviews, including Virginia Law Review and Constitutional Commentary. He is the co-author of seven additional books, including “The Essential Words and Writings of Clarence Darrow” and The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison.” Larson has served as a visiting professor at Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, University of Melbourne, Leiden University, and University of Richmond.
This is the (edited for space) speech given by Ed Larson at the Scopes Trial Centennial convention in Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 19. He was introduced by convention emcee Leighann Lord. (To see photos from the event, go to ffrf.us/scopespics.)
Leighann Lord: When I bring on our next speaker, in the absence of the physical presence of John Scopes or William Jennings Bryan or Clarence Darrow, the best person to have at a centennial conference celebrating the Scopes Monkey Trial, is the guy, like capital T, capital G, The Guy.
He won a Pulitzer Prize in history for his book, “Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion.” He’s also the author of “Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory” and coauthor of “The Essential Words and Writings of Clarence Darrow.” He holds the Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law and is a professor of history at Pepperdine University.
He’s taught for 20 years at the University of Georgia, where he chaired the history department. He has served as a visiting professor at several universities, including Yale Law School, Stanford Law School and the University of Melbourne. And he recently published “American Inheritance: Liberty and Slavery and the Birth of a Nation, 1765 to 1795.”
Long story short, he literally wrote the book. And that’s why Professor Ed Larson is the winner of this conference’s Clarence Darrow Award.
By Ed Larson
I am overwhelmed. [Clarence Darrow] was my father’s hero. I’m so, so incredibly honored. I thank you so much. My gosh.
Well, 100 years is a long time in politics. Less so in science and even less so in religion. This year marks 100 years since the best-known intersection of those three forces in American culture, the so-called “Tennessee Monkey Trial” in the summer of 1925. As you all know, after civic leaders indicted John Scopes for teaching about human evolution in the town’s public high school, Dayton, Tenn., became the setting for one of the most contentious courtroom dramas in American history.
Read more of Ed’s speech in Freethought Today
LEIGHANN LORD
Leighann Lord (veryfunnylady.com) is a seasoned, New York City-based stand-up comedian who has been seen on Comedy Central, HBO, “The View,” and in the Netflix “Def Comedy Jam” 25th anniversary special. She’s performed for the troops in the Middle East, in all 50 states, 20 countries, six continents and Guam. Leighann was named one of the 35 Most Hilarious Comedians of Diversity, was a national finalist in the American Black Film Festival–HBO Comedy Wings Competition, and received the NYC Comedy Award for the Most Thought-Provoking Black Female Comic. Leighann can be seen in Showtime’s “Even More Funny Women of a Certain Age,” and her Dry Bar Comedy special, “I Mean Business,” has had over one million views. She has a BA in journalism and creative writing from Baruch College, City University of New York, an honorary PhD in interdisciplinary studies from Southampton University, and is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, East. Her books include “Dict Jokes” and “Real Women Do It Standing Up.”
EDWARD TABASH
Edward Tabash is a constitutional lawyer in Los Angeles. He is the chair of the Board of Directors for the Center for Inquiry. The son of an orthodox rabbi and an Auschwitz-surviving mother, after decades of research and reflection, he has concluded that the universe is natural with no supernatural beings or occurrences. He is known for his involvement in defending the separation of church and state and for representing the atheistic point of view in debates against religious advocates.
BERTHA VASQUEZ
Bertha Vasquez taught middle school science for 34 years in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She launched the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) in 2015, a program of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science. To date, TIES has presented over 340 professional development opportunities for science teachers in all 50 US States. Thanks to her work in evolution education, she was awarded the National Association of Biology Teachers’ 2017 Evolution Educator Award and the 2023 National Center for Science Education’s Friend of Darwin Award. Bertha is now the education director at The Center for Inquiry, an international nonprofit organization that promotes reason and science. She runs three education programs, TIES, ScienceSaves, and Generation Skeptics. In addition to various published articles in magazines and academic journals, she is a contributing author of two books, On Teaching Evolution (2022) and What Teachers Want To Know About Teaching Climate Change (Corwin Press, Release Date March 2025). Ms. Vazquez has also worked on several translation projects, including the translation of Maria Jinich’s book, A Brief History of Four Billion Years of Evolution: Understanding Darwin. A regular speaker at skeptical and humanist conferences, Bertha is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
BRENDA WINEAPPLE
Brenda Wineapple is the author, most recently, of “Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy and the Trial that Riveted a Nation” —- “history at its most delicious,” said The New York Times Book Review. Her other books include “The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson” and “The Dream of a Just Nation,” a landmark study, as well as “Ecstatic Nation: Confidence, Crisis, and Compromise, 1848-1877,” both named best books of the year by The New York Times, among other publications. “White Heat: The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson” was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and winner of the Marfield Prize for Arts Writing, and “Hawthorne: A Life” won the Ambassador Award for best biography. A recipient of a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Pushcart Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship, two National Endowment Fellowships in the Humanities, and a National Endowment Public Scholars Award, she recently was named a Fellow at the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers and is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She regularly contributes to major publications such as The New York Times Book Review, The New York Review of Books and The Atlantic, and she teaches in the MFA program at Columbia University.
While you’re here, visit the photo gallery.
