The UGF Montana Symposium on Religion and Science (MSRS) is a cooperative open to the public for those interested in bridging the chasm of mistrust and misunderstanding that has historically separated these two important ways of understanding the world around us, namely science and religion. The Symposium arose from the weekly dinnertime discussions of several UGF faculty members in science, religion, and literature. We found it so rewarding that we knew we had to enlarge the circle! The Symposium is a cooperative open to the public for those interested in bridging the chasm of mistrust and misunderstanding that has historically separated these two important ways of understanding the world around us, namely science and religion.

We gather for informal conversation on issues of mutual concern, such as: Does Darwin’s evolution lead back to God? And Is quantum physics about to make a quantum leap into spirituality? We sponsor book talks, lectures, conferences and other events to inform the community of issues science, spirituality and religion. We bring scholars from both areas to expand our understanding and insight on the interplay among religion, science and spirituality We hold business meetings to er ideas and plan projects for the future Participation is open to all who are interested and concerned about the relationship among Science, Spirituality and Religion in our world, and who want to participate in constructive dialogue. here is currently no membership fee (but we do accept donations). We hope you’ll join us!

 

 

Join MSRS next Wednesday, March 28, 2007 in Absolon Lounge at 12 p.m. in the Student Center for a book discussion on Jeremy Campbell's The Many Faces of God presented by Dr. Richard McDowell from the University of Great Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Description
How science has changed our perceptions of God—from the age of Newton to the era of quantum mechanics.

A grand work of philosophy and history, The Many Faces of God shows how our religious conceptions have been shaped by advances in technology and science. Beginning his narrative in the 1600s and concluding with the fervor of the millennium, Jeremy Campbell shows how Isaac Newton and his generation altered the medieval definition of God from one interpreted through divine messengers to an all-knowing, autocratic God who watched over the scientific wonders of the universe. Arguing that religions harbor a secret fear that science may one day explain God away, Campbell masterfully shows how twentieth-century technology and theology have become intertwined, often to the detriment of both disciplines. Illuminating the writings of such intellectual luminaries as Calvin, Luther, Einstein, and Niels Bohr, all the way up to John Updike, The Many Faces of God is a sweeping history of religious and scientific thought in the Western world.

 

 

 

Join MSRS on Friday, April 13, 2007 in Absolon Lounge at 12 p.m. in the Student Center for a discussion with Lynda Sexson of the Montana State University on her book Ordinarily Sacred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Political and Social position of the Catholic Church.

Join MSRS on Friday, April 20, 2007 in Absolon Lounge at 12 p.m. in the Student Center for a discussion with Dr. Mary Doak from the University of Notre Dame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join MSRS on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 in Absolon Lounge at 12 p.m. in the Student Center for a book discussion on John Steinbeck's To A God Unknown presented by Dr. Cornelius Foley of the University of Great Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Description
As his father lies dying, Joseph Wayne decides to trade his Vermont farm for a new life in California. Once established on his ranch, he comes to revere a huge tree as the embodiment of his father's spirit.

Joseph's brothers and their wives join him, and their farms prosper. Then one of the brothers, repelled by Joseph's reverence for the tree, cuts it down. Consequences follow -- harsh and severe.

In TO A GOD UNKNOWN, one of his earliest novels, Steinbeck uses the Western American experience as a way of exploring man's relationships to his environment -- a theme that would come to characterize much of his later work.

 

 

 

 

Join MSRS next Wednesday, March 14, 2007 in Absolon Lounge at 12 p.m. in the Student Center for a book discussion on Richard Dawkins The GOD Delusion. Dr. Robert, LeLieuvre, Dr. Aaron Parrett, Dr. Jennifer Swanson, Prof. Jon Taylor; will be facilitating the discussion with Ms. Jeannie Reeves moderating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GOD Delusion is a non-fiction book by the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University and also a scientist of ethology. In the book Dawkins argues that the belief in a creator as a delusion. He is sympathetic to Robert Pirsig's observation that "when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called Religion." Richard Dawkins examines God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He contemplates how religion fuels war, fosters bigotry, and abuses children, he uses modern and historical events to make his case. Come listen to our panel discuss this ardent topic.