Mission || Background || Advisory Committee || Partners || Acknowledgements
Local Societies Initiatives

As educators, we believe that intellectual progress is made by asking fundamental questions and investigating the foundational assumptions we have about such things as religion, science, nature and humanity. This drive means struggling at length and in depth with a variety of ideas that often conflict with each other, seeking to learn from individuals who think differently than we do, and reflecting critically on our own ideas.

We believe this intellectual work is best accomplished by a community of learners who are able to dialogue openly, critically and creatively in an atmosphere of respect and generosity. As a member of the Local Societies Initiative, we have developed this forum for Central Virginians to explore the interrelationship of science and religion.

What divides the two perspectives? What connects them? More than ever ethics compete with advances in research, fostering a new layer of scrutiny once restricted to the laboratory setting. The rapid pace of scientific discovery only increases our culture’s need to reflect on these changes, more thoughtfully and more thoroughly.
With success, this three-year project will create long-term networks to exchange thoughtful and dynamic ideas and to develop an appreciation for the issues spun from these debates.

Mission
The Life Sciences and Religion Community Forum of Central Virginia provides a structured forum for citizens to educate themselves through dialogue about science and religion.

Goals

• Create a sustainable core group that will lead the effort to foster science-religion dialogue.
• Identify the most salient and critical issues for the Richmond community to address.
• Provide a forum in which community members can learn about and discuss these issues.
• Learn about scientific and Religious perspectives on contemporary developments in the life sciences and religion, especially around issues that often generate conflict and controversy.
• Increase scientific literacy among people of faith, and faith literacy among scientists.
• Seek to develop informed ethical positions on a range of socially relevant matters.
• Build bridges between a range of Religious and secular Richmond-area communities.
• Demonstrate efficient and effective use of resources.
• Build resources that enable us to expand our learning community in subsequent years.