The Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science, under the direction of Dr. Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis, Professor of the History of Science, is part of an international group of local societies, sponsored by a variety of institutions, that were begun several years ago with generous support from The Metanexus Institute.  For a list of similar organizations in North America, go to:http://www.metanexus.net/relatedorganizations.asp

The Forum sponsors many events of various kinds, 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 a variety of religious and disciplinary perspectives.  We also sponsor a book discussion group, presently meeting on the second Thursday of the month during the academic year (see below for more details).  Many 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’ webpage 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 of our events are also free; any exceptions will be clearly indicated when the events are announced.  Annual membership in the Forum is possible for a contribution of $35 or more.  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.

EVENTS FOR Summer 2009: Mondays at Pine Street Church

For the first time, the Forum will sponsor a series of public lectures in the summer.  All lectures are free and open to the public; a free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses.  Details are as follows:

Location: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg (http://www.pinestreet.org), in the Fellowship Hall.  Parking is available on the street and is free in the evening.

Dates: Six consecutive Monday evenings, starting June 15 and ending July 20. 

Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Each lecture will be heavily illustrated with slides.  The atmosphere will be informal, with questions and comments strongly encouraged.  Lecture topics are as follows:

            June 15: Why History (of Science and Religion) Matters

            June 22: The Galileo Affair: What Really Happened

            June 29: Robert Boyle’s Religious Life, Attitudes, and Vocation

            July 6: The Scopes Trial in History and Legend

            July 13: Religion and Science in Modern America

            July 20: The Religion of Science: How Science Can Be a Substitute for Traditional Religion

EVENTS FOR Fall 2009

THE READING GROUP will meet for the first time this year on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 pm, in Kline Hall 108. We will discuss the opening chapters in Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion, a great collection of short essays edited by Ronald L. Numbers, the leading historian of science and religion in the United States.  We will read the entire book this year, a few chapters at a time, on the following schedule:

• Thursday, Sept 10, at  7:00 pm in Kline 108.  Introduction and chapters 1 to 3
• Thursday, October 8, at 5:15 pm in the Private Dining Room.  Chapter 21 only. 
  Matthew Stanley, author of this chapter (on Einstein), will be with us for dinner and a lecture this evening.  For further information, contact Ted Davis (tdavis@messiah.edu).
• Thursday, November 12 , at 7:00 pm in Kline 108.  Chapters 4 to 7
• Thursday, December 10, at 7:00 pm in Kline 108.  Chapters 8 to 11

All are invited to attend, whether or not you have attended any of our events in the past.  Information about this books is available at http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/NUMGAL.html.  The reading group is free and open to the public, but you will need to bring your own copy of the book.  The dinner for Matthew Stanley on October 8 is an exception: persons who have made a financial contribution to the Forum for 2009-10 are invited to attend at no cost, but all others should expect to pay $15 at the door.  RSVP to Ted Davis (tdavis@messiah.edu) by Fri, Oct 2.

OTHER EVENTS are announced as details are finalized.  Please check this page periodically for updates.

Below is a short description of each event.  For more details, including information about the speakers, see the pull-down menu on the left, which will be updated in September.

PUBLIC EVENTS:

• Free lecture by historian Dr. Matthew Stanley, New York University, “Arthur Eddington: Quaker Astrophysicist.”  Thursday, 8 October 2009, at 7:00 pm in Hostetter Chapel Sanctuary, Messiah College.

• Symposium by physicist and theologian Dr. Robert Russell, Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (Berkelely), “Cosmology, Evolution, and Resurrection Hope.”  Saturday, 14 November 2009, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Tickets are required for this event; Forum members will receive a significant discount.