Judgement Day has arrived, though it might not be the one some were expecting.
A Cal State Long Beach professor emeritus said he believes it is time the dispute over creationism and evolution be brought into the courtroom, and he is willing to risk $10,000 to facilitate a Literal Genesis Trial.
Joseph Mastropaolo, who taught biomechanics and physiology at CSULB before retiring 19 years ago, will argue for the literal translation of Genesis in his “mini-trial.” A mini-trial, according to Mastropaolo, is an alternate form for dispute resolution, similar to a civil trial except for one aspect: the evidence must be scientific.
“In other words, evidence must be objective, valid, reliable and calibrated,” Mastropaolo said.
No restrictions will be placed on challengers of Mastropaolo’s argument, except that they agree to the rules of the mini-trial and put up $10,000 in order to participate.
Either a state or federal superior court judge will preside over the dispute, and the victor will win $20,000, thereby reclaiming his or her own $10,000 along with the challenger’s money.
Mastropaolo forewarns that the animus of the mini-trial is not fiscal; the $20,000 is simply meant to cover court costs. The true purpose of a mini-trial is to successfully prove one’s point.
When asked about his religious beliefs, Mastropaolo said that the litigation is not based on beliefs.
“Beliefs are subjective,” he said. “This is based on what I would call classical science.”
Mastropaolo said the idea to create a mini-trial was based off of his education.
“The biggest betrayal of my life has been the fact that I was given in school – in textbooks – things that were absolutely false,” Mastropaolo said. “I am trying to rectify this situation so that others like me will not feel betrayed by their education.”
A date and location for the mini-trial have not been determined, according to Mastropaolo.
However, the former professor says he would favor CSULB’s campus as an option, if anyone could provide an appropriate stage for the courtroom.
Austin Smith, a freshman criminal justice major, questioned whether the CSULB campus is an appropriate place for the mini-trial.
“It really doesn’t matter who wins in the end, because when you fight to attack someone’s faith, no one wins,” Smith said. “Faith allows religion to live on without proof.”
However, Mary Caputi, a political science professor, said the mini-trial is much more academic and intellectual than simply an affront on someone’s religious beliefs.
“As long as it’s very clear from the start that the [mini-trial] is meant for the purpose of airing ideas, it’s very appropriate for a university setting,” Caputi said.
Stanley Jones, a religious studies professor specializing in ancient Christian history, said he believes the mini-trial could attract students, but it could also turn explosive.
“Many students do believe mankind descended from Adam and Eve – more than what is generally realized,” Jones said.
One of Jones’s students, Nasya Harry sophomore nutrition major, said she agrees that mankind derived from Adam and Eve.
“I don’t even need any evidence to know we came from Adam and Eve,” Harry said.
Mastropaolo has yet to find someone to take part in his mini-trial. To participate in the mini-trial, contact him at jamastropaolo@gmail.com. The trial will be open to the public.
