International Conference on the Relationship between Theology and the Sciences
19 October 2012
The relationship between theology and the sciences is the topic of an international conference organised by Heidelberg University’s Research Centre for International and Interdisciplinary Theology (FIIT) and the American John Templeton Foundation. From 25 to 28 October 2012, 50 scholars and scientists from all over the world will be discussing various aspects of “The Science and Religion Dialogue: Past and Future”. The speakers specialise in mathematics, physics, biology, theology, philosophy of religion and ethics. The conference will be held in English and begins with a opening ceremony at which there will also be a presentation on the funding work of the John Templeton Foundation, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The entire proceedings of the conference will be transmitted live online.
During the ceremony on 25 October there will be words of welcome from Prof. Dr. Thomas Pfeiffer, Vice Rector of Heidelberg University, Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Welker, director of FIIT, and representatives of the Templeton Foundation, among them the president, Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr. The lectures proper will be opened by sociologist Prof. Dr. Hans Joas (Freiburg and Chicago) speaking on “The Natural History of Religion”. Subsequently biologist and mathematician Prof. Dr. Martin Nowak (Harvard) will discuss “God and Evolution”, before the physicist and theologian Prof. Dr. John Polkinghorne (Cambridge) is going to speak on “The Search for Truth”. The proceedings will be in English and take place in the Great Hall of the Old University (Grabengasse 1) at 4 pm. On Sunday, 28 October, there will be an ecumenical worship service associated with the conference. Communion will be celebrated by the Bishop of Lund (Sweden), Dr. Antje Jackelén. The service at St. Peter’s Church (Plöck 70) will begin at 10 am.
The online live transmission of the conference can be viewed at www.science-religion-dialogue.com. During the event this portal can also be used to ask questions that will be answered individually by experts present in Heidelberg. The same address also provides links to the complete programme and more information on the conference “The Science and Religion Dialogue: Past and Future”. Those interested in attending the public starter event on 25 October are requested to register either by phone (+49 6221 543356) or by e-mail (sekretariat-welker@wts.uni-heidelberg.de).
Contact
Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Welker
Department of Academic Theology
phone: +49 6221 54-3356
mw@uni-hd.de
Communications and Marketing
Press Office
phone: +49 6221 54-2311
presse@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
