I agree with Spencer when he stated that people could think whatever they wanted, but they would get in trouble only if they shared their thoughts out loud. No one can tell you that you must only think one thing. All around the world people are told what they should believe is correct, but that does not mean that every single person thinks that same way.
Before Inherit the Wind I never really thought about the right to think. I used to believe that everyone had the right to believe whatever they wanted. After reading the play however, I was shocked to learn that the right to think was ever against the law. How could you force people to think one way? But the right to think was put in question long before the John Scopes trial.
Obviously a huge thing that you have the right to think about is religion. Today, in many countries they are forced to believe in a specific religion. We are lucky in the United States we are able to think whatever we want. I agree with Priya when she said that, of course not everyone always thought the same way, but because most people believed in one certain belief, no one had the courage to contradict or stand up for what they truly thought.
I also disagree with Erik when he said that the only reason that we have the right to say what we think is because of John Scopes. John Scopes did not just think of the idea to teach evolution in the classroom. Many people who disagreed with the Butler Act found John Scopes to represent all of those who were against the new law. Also after the John Scopes trial the law was not even changed right away. It took many years later, and probably many other court cases, in order for the law to finally be taken away.
Inherit the Wind has made me think more about all of the privileges that we have as Americans. Like many people have stated in their posts, I definitely think that I take all of the rights I have for granted. Hopefully in the future all the countries that believe that the way they think is the only correct way to think will change. All they need to learn is the importance of having your own voice. Everyone has inspiring thoughts; it is just those who have the courage, like John Scopes, to stand up for what is right, and share them that make a difference.