Rhodes-Memphis Colloquium on Religion and Science
Rhodes College, Department of Religious Studies
Memphis, Tennessee
The Colloquium brings together academics in science and religion, professional pastoral and medical practitioners, and laypersons with an interest in the science and religion dialogue. Six formal meetings per year are supplemented by six additional meetings of a Student Colloquium, for which there is advisory assistance and facilitation support from the faculty. The project initiates conversations on religion and science across disciplinary boundaries. Meetings are hosted at Rhodes College and at other locations of partner-hosts, including the Memphis Theological Seminary, The Church Health Center, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The group encourages relationships across religious, intellectual, and institutional barriers by introducing members to themes and issues in the international dialogue of religion and science and by expanding the dialogue in ways that correspond to the unique cultural, intellectual, and religious make-up of the Mid-South. Each meeting includes a featured speaker and a forum for discussion and will explore such topics as religion and environment, human nature, religion and cloning, evolutionary biology, Eastern and Western cosmologies, overviews of religious perspectives and science, health and spirituality, race and science, biotechnology and medical ethics, and evolution and Intelligent Design theory. The Student Colloquium invites Colloquium members to present issues to students in support of enhancing the intellectual ethos of the college through creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchange. A student Associate, provided through the college employment program, will maintain a website with information on society activities, suggested readings and discussion topics, online discussion, and updated developments in the field of science and faith. Future aspirations include co-sponsoring a continuing education program with the Meeman Center for Lifelong Learning at Rhodes College. Matching funds are provided by Rhodes College.