8pm Tuesday 21st March 2017

Dr Chris Southgate University of Exeter

Animals often become extinct, sometimes because their habitat has become housing

Dr Chris Southgate

estates, or because a predator (man, possibly?) has killed them, as is happening with elephants at the moment. Sometimes disease strikes. There is a great deal of dying going on, and a great deal of struggle for survival.  It has been happening ever since life began. Evolution assumes that some creatures will be phased out because they can’t cope. (It’s not just a few, either; 99.9% of all species are already extinct).

We have asked Dr Southgate to consider what this situation says about the kindness and mercy of God. Here he introduces his talk:-

“The poet Tennyson memorably called nature ‘red in tooth and claw’. The struggle and suffering in nature was put into context by Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection. But this seems to constitute a challenge to the Christian claim that a loving God created the world ‘very good’.

Tennyson also called nature ‘careless of the type’. Over 99% of all the species that have ever existed are extinct. Again, this seems like a challenge to the goodness of God as creator. I will explore what explanations Christian thinkers offer, and what is the least-worst option for understanding God as the creator of the evolutionary process”.

All are welcome to come and join in the discussion. The meeting is scheduled to end with coffee etc at 9.40 pm. No charge. Free parking. Collection for meeting costs. 

Lizzie Henderson will be speaking to us on Tuesday 22^nd November, 8pm at Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS.

(Barbourne Terrace is the street almost opposite St George’s Square, on the left as you leave central Worcester.  Lindisfarne House is the first building on the right, and you can park off-road in front of the building). 

There is an overwhelming narrative in today’s culture that science and faith are in conflict – that one cannot take both seriously. But what do today’s children and young people think about science and religious faith? What is the place of education in the discussion? What will the future look like if things continue as they are? Come along to hear about some of the research exploring the thinking of young people on these topics and some of the projects working to communicate a positive message about the interactions of science and religious faith to young people.

Lizzie is the Youth and Schools Outreach Officer and Children’s Media Project Coordinator at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge. Lizzie holds a degree from Cambridge University in Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology, Geology and the History and Philosophy of Science. She is passionate about the communication and public understanding of the interactions of science and faith and regularly participates in formal and informal discussion of the science and faith dialogue with all age groups. Lizzie has worked with children and young people for many years and regularly provides lessons, workshops and talks on science and faith for children, young people and students.

All are welcome, and there will be coffee, cake and the chance for further discussion, after the talk.

To download a flyer, please click here. b-s-flyer-lizzie-henderson-november-2016.

Friday 18th November, 7-9 pm at The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester.

YOUTH EVENT – FREE PIZZA TOO!

Lizzie Henderson, a Christian and an evolutionary biologist, who works with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge, will explore questions such as: Can science explain everything? Is religion still relevant? Can science prove or disprove God’s existence.

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 25 (ish), or would like to come along, and bring some young people with you, do join us at the Hive.
No charge, but you need to book, through the Re:think website, www.rethinkworcester.co.uk.

Dr Ruth Bancewicz will speak to us on Tuesday 18th October, 8pm at Lindisfarne House.

Dr Bancewicz is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faraday Institute, Cambridge, which is dedicated to studying the interactions and common ground between science and religious belief. Her background is in Genetics and she has also published books on science and belief.

When we look at the natural world around us,  it can give us a sense of awe and wonder.  For Christians, this may feed into worship.  So what about those Christians who study the natural world, or biology, for a living?  It will not give them proof of God’s existence,  but what they see in creation reinforces their beliefs, turns their attention to the character of God, and reminds them that the world has been made for a purpose. This talk will go beyond the usual debates about science and religion, drawing on the work of successful scientists who are also people of faith. Dr Bancewicz will focus on celebrating creation, appreciating its intricacies and fruitfulness, and sharing how discoveries about the living world can hint at questions of meaning that go beyond science.

To download a flyer, please click here: Dr Ruth Bancewicz – 18th October 2016

Once again, we have a varied programme for you.  For more information and to download a copy of the programme, please use the following link: B & S programme Autumn 2016 v2

Our autumn programme will once again address a range of different issues.

In September, breaking with our usual pattern, we are planning an evening of short video presentations on a variety of topics, including artificial intelligence and environmental issues, with the opportunity for discussion.

In October, we welcome Dr Ruth Bancewicz, who will be speaking on: “The Wonders of the Living World: Biology, Belief, and the Search for Meaning and Purpose in the Universe.”

Finally, in November, Lizzie Henderson, Youth and Schools Outreach Officer and Children’s Media Project Coordinator at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, in Cambridge, will speak on the subject: “Children are the Future: Science, Faith and Youth”.

The dates for these talks are:

Tuesday 20^th September, Tuesday 18^th October, and Tuesday 22^nd November, and all talks will be at our usual venue at Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, WR1 3JS.

In addition, Lizzie Henderson will also be speaking at the Hive, on Friday 18^th November, 7 – 9 pm, to a group of young people, on the topic, “Has science killed God?”  If you are aged 16 – 25, or have any children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces who you think might be interested, do let them know about it.

There will be more details coming out about all the talks mentioned above, so do visit our website again soon, for more information.

We hope that you have a good summer break, and look forward to seeing you in the autumn.

A pdf of the meeting programme can be downloaded from the following link:  B & S programme Autumn 2016 v2