My week started with reading the headlines of “New Scientst” which read “ What’s the point of Religion”, and went on to present very persuasive arguments to dump Religion. Some scientists I thought are really making a serious mission of dumping Religion
One of the most publicised, Richard Dawkins of “ God Delusion “ fame was on ABC radio this morning arguing many times over—“just because science can’t explain why we are here etc etc , it doesn’t mean you need a God or Religion”.  I would argue that we need a God because God put it in God’s GENES. Dawkins would refute that of course , but so would many Christians, saying mainly that all we need is the Bible. (despite the fact that noone believes everything that is written anymore).
So it seems that I am in no-mans land. Well not quite. While S.A’s are trying to attach a performing arts centre to a school, the S.A’s (South Australians) have a centre for Theology, Science and Culture at Flinders Uni. (on the fringe of Adelaide). Even the very picky Cathlic Church has a college that supports the centre. One hopes that they can smuggle a conference into Sydney sometime. Afterall Bishop Spong somehow managed to get through the defences.

Here is the teaser article from their site :

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/mg19526190.400-what-good-is-god.html

Article Preview
What good is God?
01 September 2007
Helen Phillips
Magazine issue 2619

RELIGION occupies a strange position in the world today. Religious belief is as powerful as ever, yet religion is under attack, challenged by science and Enlightenment thought as never before. Critics like Richard Dawkins would have us believe that it is a delusion, and a dangerous one at that. He is one of many thinkers who are challenging the traditional view of religion as a source of morality. Instead, they argue that it provides a means for justifying immoral acts.

Their views have recently been bolstered by evidence that morality appears to be hard-wired into our brains. It seems we are born with a sense of right and wrong, and that no amount of religious indoctrination will change our most basic moral instincts.

Many biologists are not convinced by such radical views, however. Recent years have seen a flurry of activity by researchers who want to assess the effects of ...

( The complete article is 3139 words long.  )

Doesn’t seem to me though that his attack on religion is based on science but rather based on his own philosophical presuppostions.

Interesting he thinks that morality is hard-wired into us (which I kind of agree with). Maybe it is just a loose use of words but “hard-wired” speaks to me of intent not accident though.

Hi Doug,

This sounds like an interesting thread but I haven’t yet been able to match up the title of this thread to the content. Maybe I’m a little thick. ;-)

I wonder if you would like to finish this sentence.

Mission needs more ....................?

Doug also said:
While S.A’s are trying to attach a performing arts centre to a school, the S.A’s (South Australians) have a centre for Theology, Science and Culture at Flinders Uni. (on the fringe of Adelaide). Even the very picky Cathlic Church has a college that supports the centre. One hopes that they can smuggle a conference into Sydney sometime. 

I’m confused ......who are you hoping might slip a conference into Sydney? The S.A. Centre for Theology et. al. or the Catholic Church college? And should the conference theme be on mission?.

Just trying to keep this thread alive a little longer for some interesting thoughts.

cheers,
Heather. :-)

G’day Heather,
I do not presume to know what Mission needs more of. All I can do is peck at the doors of power with my three cents worth. That is one reason I enjoy the SA fomums. It also stimulates one and is mentally challenging.
I think we all need that as we need God. And yes, I do think the Adelaide College of Divinity could show us a bit of their Culture, Science and Religion program. Could you call it applied Bible studies? Would Moore college allow it?
For me, its about mission.