Delaware Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (D-DoSER)

Delaware Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (D-DoSER)

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First Unitarian Church (First U) and the Community for Integrative Learning (CIL)
Wilmington, Delaware

The Delaware Dialogue initially includes members of CIL, First U and its ministers, scientists from area science-based companies such as DuPont and Astra Zeneca, several teachers from the Academy of Life Long Learning at the University of Delaware and professors of genetics and evolutionary biology from the University of Delaware. This new effort builds on an existing discussion group at First U, examining the ethical dimensions of climate change research and response and five presentations that were sponsored by CIL on “Faith, Reason and Revelation: The Search for God and Reconciliation with Science.” Modeled after the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER) program, D-DoSER meets twice monthly for a Sunday evening lecture series and conducts an annual workshop/conference involving a broader audience. Topics include astrobiology, biotechnology, genetics, evolution, Alzheimer’s disease, and nanotechnology. The Dialogue reviews various faith perspectives and concerns on these topics in addition to exploring the underlying relation between science and religion in the modern world. Texts that provide fodder for these considerations include Wilber’s The Marriage of Sense and Soul, Scott’s Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction, James Miller’s An Evolving Dialogue: Theological and Scientific Perspectives on Evolution, and Lockwood’s Grasshopper Dreaming: Reflections on Killing and Loving. In addition, “Joys of Science” videos from the Teaching Company and summaries of the AAAS Dialogue sessions support further reflection. Support for outreach activities (website, program announcements, brochures, and publications) is provided by the Publicity Committee of First U. Matching funds are provided by First U and the donations of individual D-DoSER members.