The Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science, under the direction of Dr. Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis, Professor of the History of Science, sponsors a variety of events, all intended to help promote better understanding of religion and science–including medicine and social science–in this region.  We continue the college’s established tradition of hosting speakers who represent diverse religious and disciplinary perspectives.  We also sponsor a book discussion group, presently meeting (usually) on the second Thursday of the month during the academic year (see below for more details).  Most events take place on our campus, but some are held in other locations. 

All of our events are announced here.  PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS PAGE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.  Information about each event is also sent electronically to anyone who wants to be contacted by email.  Recipients are sent blind copies, in order to ensure that individual addresses are kept private.  To add your name to this list, or to update your email address, contact Dr. Davis at Tdavis@messiah.edu or at 717.766.2511 ext. 6840.  Dr. Davis’ web page contains further resources on science and religion:

http://home.messiah.edu/~tdavis/

All of our events are open to the public—indeed, it is the people of central Pennsylvania whom we seek to serve.  Most events are free; any exceptions will be clearly announced.  Annual membership in the Forum is possible for a contribution in any amount.  To inquire about becoming a member, contact Dr. Davis.  The primary benefit of membership is knowing that you have helped us provide quality programs, but from time to time members are invited to a limited number of private events, such as opportunities to dine with speakers, and members are also invited to suggest specific programs for future events.

EVENTS FOR SPRING 2012

This fall, THE READING GROUP will not meet this spring, although we will probably resume in September 2012--stay tuned for an update. Instead, everyone is invited to join the speakers for dinner before each event. If you want to do this, contact Dr. Davis to reserve a place and get the details.

In spring 2012 we have one FREE PUBLIC LECTURE, as follows:

• Lecture on “The Book Nobody Read: Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicus," by astronomer and historian Owen Gingerich, Friday evening, February 24, at 7:00 pm in Boyer 131. Owen Gingerich has examined every available copy of both editions of the great book by Nicolas Copernicus, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (1543 and 1566). He has examined the marginal notes and often identified who wrote them (including Kepler, Rheticus, Galileo,  Mercator, and many others), and studied the bindings, the paper, and the printing process. Many years ago, the great Hungarian writer Arthur Koestler claimed that Copernicus had written “a book that nobody read,” owing to the difficulty of understanding its technical content. Through his meticulous research, Gingerich learned that Koestler was badly mistaken—many people not only read the book, but understood it and commented on it. This lecture is about the book, its readers, and its story as a book.This lecture is part of the annual Humanities Symposium and is co-sponsored by the Center for Public Humanities. For more information, see the pull-down menu at the upper left.