Evolution Sunday! Continues

This Sunday, Dr. Julie Wade will pick up where she left off, giving us more to the story of the underlying means that have supported our evolution to our present day condition. Please join us at 9:45. and as ever, loving childcare is provided.

Evolution Sunday!

Once again, our favorite Biology Professor, Dr. Julia Wade will lead our Forum's celebration of Evolution Sunday, falling this year, precisely on Charles Darwin's 203rd birthday.

Dr. Wade's synopsis reads:

"Evolution via natural selection was first introduced by Charles Darwin in 1859 with the publication of his book “The Origin of Species.” His research became the foundation on which generations of biologists have continued to build. In this talk we shall examine four major areas of research in the last 150 years that have strengthened his theory in ways he never dreamed possible. These areas include:

1. Darwin’s original theory of natural selection

2. The Modern Synthesis of the 1930’s and 1940’s that combined genetics with evolution

3. The discovery of DNA structure and the sequencing of several genomes, including our own

4. The role of evolutionary embryology and development which is referred to as Evo-Devo

Evo-Devo has revolutionized our understanding of the origin of species because it has explained how animals have evolved from the Cambrian Period (over 500 million years ago) to the present using many of the same basic “tool kit” genes!! Such an understanding of life on earth is critical if we are to be intelligent stewards of our planet."

Please join us for an enlightening meeting. Loving childcare is provided.

Evolutionarily speaking, Jesus was right.

In advance of Evolution Sunday (Feb 12th) we're going to look at evidence of the origins of altruism and generosity. In our traditional view of evolution we think of survival of the fittest model, and we envision this model with a strong bias for individualism and self-interest. It is difficult to reconcile the surviving fittest with generosity, charity, forgiveness and other behaviors that fall under the moral umbrella created by the values of Jesus. ("how many times should I forgive...")

Early work by game theorists in the 1970's and 80's gave us the validity of the "tit-for-tat" or "eye for an eye" theory of reciprocity and cooperation. More recent work by evolutionary psychologists Leda Cosmides and John Tooby suggests that altruism and a certain amount of self-sacrifice can help make for a healthier, more prosperous world.

Please join us Sunday morning at 9:45 for what will hopefully be an interesting session. Loving childcare is provided.

Advocacy 101

This coming Sunday, Joe Rhymer will present "Advocacy 101." This presentation will provide citizen advocates with the tools and best practices for communicating with legislators to maximize the impact. Topics include legislative process, bill tracking as well as tips and tricks on how to get your message noticed. Joe promises to keep the session interesting with light conversation and examples from his experiences with local legislators. He will also provide a legislative update on LGBT issues at the conclusion of Advocacy 101.

About the speaker: Joe was born and raised in Bristol. He serves as the Tricities committee chair for the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP). The Tennessee Equality Project is a statewide organization dedicated to promote and sustain the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons.

Please be warmly welcome to join us for an interesting and informative session. We'll be happy to see you. Generous, loving childcare is provided

The Atlantic Meets the Pacific: War of the Worldviews

Thanks to a tip from our astute member, Nancy Barrigar I watched the dialog entitled "The Atlantic Meets the Pacific: War of the Worldviews: Exploring Science vs. Spirituality with Deepak Chopra and Leonard Mlodinow." This is an excellent, thoughtful debate between two very well-spoken proponents of divergent perspectives. Each presents convincing arguments. Neither wins or loses in their always-respectful discussion. Preview the video, here: http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=22484

Please join us on Sunday morning as we view and discuss the video. We'll be happy to see you. Generously loving childcare is provided.

Jerry Coyne and the Lack of Comity between Science and Religion

Last Sunday we heard John Haught's presentation on the common ground between science and religion--it was his side of the debate at the Gaines Center at UKY. This coming Sunday we'll hear from the other side in the person of Jerry Coyne, professor of Biology at the U. Chicago. Coyne pulls no punches in what amounts to an aggressive and unbalanced attack on religion. My interest in Coyne's argument is that he is fairly representative of the positions taken by scientists against religion. Coyne say little that is not accurate, but his points are not particularly germane to the argument. This is a common theme, and one that we should be alert to.

Please join us for an interesting session. We'll be happy to see you. As ever, loving childcare is provided.

John Haught and the Comity of Science and Religion

John F. Haught is professor of theology at Georgetown University and is considered the preeminent authority on the compatibility of science and religion. This past fall Haught was called on the debate his topic with University of Chicago biologist Jerry Coyne in the Bale-Boone seminar series at the U. of Kentucky. The debate sparked an interesting dialog that continued for several months. This Sunday we will view Haught's side of the debate, which, in my humble opinion amounted to a well-articulated, lofty and expansive view of Christianity and a warmingly loving God. We'll discuss the validity of Haught's argument of science's compatibility with religion. Please join us. We need your views.

As ever, superb childcare is provided.