Science and religion at the Charles Darwin Symposium 

 
 
Professor Keith Christian will head the theme “Understanding the controversy between Darwinian Science and Religion” at the upcoming Charles Darwin Symposium.

The on-going tug-of-war between science and religion is a constant source of controversy, but it also provides a starting point for scholarly endeavours and philosophical debate, according to a Charles Darwin University academic.

Under the theme “Understanding the controversy between Darwinian Science and Religion”, a panel of experts drawn from across the globe will discuss the intersection between science and religion from their own unique perspectives at the upcoming Charles Darwin Symposium, "Charles Darwin: Shaping our Science, Society and Future".

Theme leader, Professor Keith Christian said he hoped the theme would fuel discussion that goes way beyond the century and a half old creationism debate.

“Even some 150 years after its publication, Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection continues to cause controversy,” he said.

“The implications of the evolutionary theory for the concept of divine design in nature is an intersection between science and religion that on one hand fuels controversy but on the other, also provides a starting point for scholarly endeavours and educated dialogue.

“It’s the latter that I hope our symposium theme will explore.”

The theme will also feature internationally renowned experts including Pulitzer Prize winning historian from the University of Georgia, USA, Professor Ed Larson, and molecular virologist from the University of Arizona, Emeritus Professor Martinez Hewlett.

Through these speakers, Professor Christian said he hoped the Symposium would create “a new understanding on the various positions taken on this worldwide controversy”.

The theme will chart the rise of anti-Darwin forms of religion, anti-religious forms of Darwinism and religious forms of Darwinism, ultimately seeking to answer the question “can the bounds of science and religion really be so clearly defined?”

“I’m hoping that through our themed discussion, we can explore the scope for compatibility between science and religion, taking into account historical contexts as well as social and political contexts within the modern world,” Professor Christian said.

“Understanding the controversy between Darwinian Science and Religion” will form the basis of one of the most eagerly anticipated discussions at the Charles Darwin Symposium, "Charles Darwin: Shaping our Science, Society and Future" which will take place at the Darwin Convention Centre from 22 – 24 September 2009.