Curious about how to integrate science into your religious outlook?
Shippensburg University will host the 13th Annual Forum on Science and Religion virtually on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 3:30-5:30 PM to further explore this topic. The forum is free and open to the public, and coincides with International Darwin Day celebrations.
Access the forum at https://ship.zoom.us/j/93622277836
During the forum, Dr. Joseph Shane, professor of chemistry and science education, will moderate a panel discussion titled, “Science, Religion, and the Common Good,” with clergy, scientists and writers from the Sinai and Synapses Fellowship, a small interfaith group dedicated to elevating the discourse and conversation around religion and science.
2021 marks the 13th year Shane will organize and host a forum on the interactions between science and religion which he noted is, “an opportunity to bring many other respected scholars and science-religion “boundary pioneers” to our community.”
Shane may be considered among these pioneers bringing together two seemingly opposing worlds. For nearly 15 years, he has taught short courses on the fields at various churches and public venues, as well as an interdisciplinary honors seminar at Shippensburg University. In 2019, Shane used his culminated knowledge to co-author, Making Sense of Science and Religion: Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond, published by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
Shane described this year’s program with the representatives from Sinai and Synapses as accessible to “all faith traditions”. He continued, “[The Fellows] will give their insights as to how they personally view the science-religion relationship as well as specific and contemporary issues where science and religion can and must work for the common good.”
Recent events across the world and the US create a particularly poignant canvas for discussion. Shane noted, “The SARS-CoV-2 virus and pandemic have raised a host of issues, many of which are both scientific and religious in nature. For example, our guest speakers may address disease and public health, race and racism, economic justice and inequality, and information and biotechnology.”
Access the forum on 2/11 at 3:30 PM at https://ship.zoom.us/j/93622277836. For more information, contact Dr. Joseph Shane at jwshan@ship.edu.
Panelists from the Sinai and Synapses Fellowship include:
Briana Pobiner, National Museum of Natural History
Mark Bloom, Dallas Baptist University
Elizabeth Fernandez, SparkDialog Podcasts
Amanda Glaze-Crampes, Georgia Southern University
Carolyn Hall, EXACT Communication and Works on Water
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, Sinai and Synapses’ Founding Director
Jordan Shaner, Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto
John Van Sloten, Calgary Community Reformed Church
Seth Villegas, Boston University
