Center on Religion & the Professions
Improving religious literacy among professionals.
by Debra Mason
Please enter your current project here, and update the publish date so it stays at the top of the list. SAVE IT AS A DRAFT – DO NOT PUBLISH.
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Kate (Sept. 16, 2009): I’m doing a full inventory of earlier sites. Today I’ll be working on the archives of syllabi.
Kate (Sept. 28, 2009): I’ve added a secondary menu that displays the categories and older subcategories.
by Debra Mason
Chemistry and religion both give structure and order to the universe, helping people to understand the constitution of the natural world; how, why and what results when we interact; and providing a sense of certainty and inevitability for those who trust in the principles.
Religious and philosophical beliefs (Christianity in Europe; Islam in the Middle East, Africa and Spain; and Confucianism in China) early on gave their followers a belief in an ordered state of the universe and sense of comprehensibility about the world. Christianity and Islam drew on classical Greek philosophies of an “ordered world.” Confucianism described an intrinsically harmonious world, with a balance between two elements of opposite qualities, yin and yang. Confucians believed the universe is made up of five elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood, which transform into each other, making the universe dynamic.
Such beliefs led to the practice of alchemy, first in China and then in the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East. Alchemists viewed their materials as expressions of the fundamental principles that ordered the world. They hoped that by manipulating those principles, they could create new substances, turn base metals into gold or distill an “elixir of life.” Alchemists developed techniques such as sublimation and distillation, as well as equipment to perform techniques and advance knowledge of the chemicals they used. Their experimentation was based on belief in the universe’s divine order.
Early Muslim scientists’ exploration of the elements led to understanding of the constitution of matter. A number of terms used in chemistry, such as alcohol, alembic, alkali and elixir, are of Islamic origin. “Alchemy,” as well as its derivative, “chemistry,” come from the Arabic word “al-Kimiya’.” Some scholars link the introduction of the “scientific method” to early Muslim chemist Jabir ibn-Hayyan.
The work of early Christian chemists such as Roger Bacon and Robert Boyle has also informed modern science. Bacon believed Christianity and experimentation went hand in hand because God created everything and imbued it with his order and harmony. Boyle saw the world as a marvelous creation of God, and also believed in objective observation in research. While experimenting with air, Boyle began promoting his atomic theory, the foundation for modern understanding of matter. He formulated what is now known as Boyle’s Law, that the volume of a quantity of gas varies inversely with the pressure when the temperature is constant. In 1661, he overturned Aristotle’s concept of the four elements (everything is composed of earth, air, fire and water), replacing it with the modern idea of an element as a substance that cannot be separated into simpler components by chemical methods. He believed that the study and dominion of nature is a duty given to man by God — based on the scriptural mandate in Gen. 1:28: to “rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the Earth” – and that the universe works in accordance with the laws of nature, established by God for its order and control.
By the late 19th century, scientists pondering faith and new theories about the natural world such as Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, found evidence both of God’s plan in the elements and chemistry, and support for their faith in the sciences. Writing in “Religion and Chemistry” in 1880, Josiah Parsons Cooke, founder of the Harvard Chemistry Department, based his belief in proof of God’s plan on the premises that “everything which begins to exist must have a cause;” “that a combination of means conspiring to a particular end implies intelligence;” “that design may be traced from its effects;” and “that there are evidences of design in the universe.” Cooke believed in both the scriptural truth of Gen 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” as well as that there is “evidence of design in the properties of the chemical elements alone.” He also marveled at the attributes of the atmosphere, whose properties seemed uniquely to serve “the welfare and happiness of mankind.” He believed that the evidences of God in nature, including the human soul, “are the only proof we have or can have of his existence.”
Chemist and author Primo Levi tackled chemistry, faith and human nature in several of his writings, most notably, “The Periodic Table,” published in 1975, in which he used Russian chemist Dmitriy Mendeleyev’s periodic table of elements as the basis of autobiographical meditations, including on his experience as a Jew imprisoned at Auschwitz during World War II. The books’ 21 pieces are each named after a chemical element, through which Levi assessed his life experience. “The properties of elements often reflect the properties of life itself — volatile, inert, lustrous, precious, poisonous, brittle …,” he wrote. “Argon” is an homage to the author’s Jewish ancestors. “Vanadium” represents Levi’s encounter with a former official in Auschwitz, who was the chief of the laboratory. “Zinc,” a “boring” metal, explores the fascist myth of racial purity.
Levi was not religiously observant, but Fascist race laws and the Nazi camps made him identify with his Judaism. Chemistry was of genuine spiritual importance to him. In “Hydrogen,” Levi wrote, “For me chemistry represented an indefinite cloud of future potentialities which enveloped my life to come in black volutes torn by fiery flashes, like those which had hidden Mount Sinai. Like Moses, from that cloud I expected my law, the principle of order in me, around me, and in the world… I would watch the buds swell in spring, the mica glint in the granite, my own hands, and I would say to myself: ‘I will understand this, too, I will understand everything.’”
Debate will continue over the role of religious origin of life and the universe and how it ought to be taught. Polls show most Americans believe God was involved in the creation of Earth and the universe, and that they are dismayed that biblical perspectives on creation are not taught at many public schools. Researchers can understand the perspectives of religious believers, the role religious and philosophical thought has played in development of the science, and the perspectives of researchers who come from a religious perspective. Chemists also can be aware of ethical concerns in their field, such as the integrity of the research process; the environmental consequences of their work; and the health and welfare of co-workers, consumers and the community, to advance science while also protecting the environment and human life.
by Debra Mason
Join the Mizzou Religion Newswriters Association for an evening of Religion News Service guest lectures on current journalism topics including the popularity of Pope Francis, how social media is utilized to cover religion and how the media covers non-faith. There will be a reception with free pizza as well. If you are unable to attend in person, use http://www.ustream.tv/
Date/Time: 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2
Location: Tucker Forum
Cost: Free
For more information: Check out the event’s Facebook page for a more detailed schedule and contact information for the Mizzou Religion Newswriters Association.
by Debra Mason
You can also learn more about past lectures at the following link:
http://religiousstudies.missouri.edu/events/religion-publiclife.shtml
by Debra Mason
The world’s diaspora has brought people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, and faiths together to create diverse communities across the globe. But with that transplantation come conflicts. This fall, the Center on Religion and Professions is screening a series of films that explore communities affected by religious diaspora, and we want you to join us! Each evening will feature a documentary followed by a conversation.
To kick off the series, we’ll watch Musafer: Sikhi is Traveling. The hour-long documentary takes a look at how a younger generation of Sikhs has emigrated across the world, taking their faith with them in a tumultuous time for those who practice Sikhism.
Professor Emeritus Paul Wallace of the Political Science department will join us for a conversation after the screening.
Date/Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 13
Location: Missouri United Methodist Church, 209 S. Ninth St. Meet us in the church lobby at the corner of 9th and Elm. Downtown street parking is available, and the Hitt Street Garage is the closest to the church.
Cost: Free. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information: Contact The Center on Religion & Professions at (573) 882-9257 or email Sangeeta Shastry at ssf73 at mail dot missouri dot edu.
by Debra Mason
Columbia’s Youth Community Coalition — or YC2 — is planning a workshop to help educate faith community leaders on understanding the positive contributions they can make to the mental wellness of youth. The workshop aims to help leaders recognize possible early signs of mental health and substance use issues in youth, project an accepting, welcoming (no-blame) culture and language for youth and families who live with mental illness, and point youth and their families to community resources for help.
The workshop, called “Look Up, Wake Up, Step UP: Youth Mental Wellness and Faith Communities,” will be hosted by Phoenix Programs, Inc., and will be sponsored by YC2, Phoenix Programs, the Columbia Interfaith Council, the Mid-America Center for Ministry, and Teen Relationship Education and Empowerment.
Date/Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30
Location: Phoenix Programs, 90 E. Leslie Lane, Columbia, MO
Cost: Free. Lunch will be included.
For more information: Please contact Heather C. Harlan of Phoenix Programs at (573) 875-8880 ext. 2142 or via email at hharlan at phoenixprogramsinc dot org.
by Debra Mason
The Missouri United Methodist Church is hosting a two-day event featuring Publishers Weekly religion editor and author Phyllis Tickle on the future of faith. The event will also include a Friday evening service by Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver, a former United Methodist pastor and current United States Congressman.
Date/Time/Location:
The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, March 14
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Clergy Leaders’ Session with Phyllis Tickle: “What are the Implications for the Inherited Church?”
2 – 5 p.m.: “The Future of Faith: Religion in a Postmodern World”: A Conversation with Phyllis Tickle
7 p.m.: Community Worship Service at Missouri United Methodist Church
Saturday, March 15
10 a.m. – Noon: Lecture with Phyllis Tickle: “What is the Future of Faith?”
Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.: Lecture and Q&A with Phyllis Tickle
Cost: Please see above. Costs vary.
For more information: For questions about the Community Worship Service or about Phyllis Tickle’s visit, please contact Missouri United Methodist Church at (573) 443-3111 or by email at contact.us@moumc.org.
by Debra Mason
From the organizers: The Third Goal International Film Festival is a showcase of films covering diverse topics of worldwide significance; each film was either impacted by a Peace Corps volunteer or features significant issues faced in the countries hosting volunteers. Films were followed by speakers’ panels featuring Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from the highlighted region(s) as well as country nationals.
Date/Time:
6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31: Chat with filmmaker Ashley Tindall about rough cuts of her film 27 Months, which follows Peace Corps volunteers on their journeys around the world.
The following is a list of screenings for the film festival, all held on Saturday, Feb. 1:
Location: The conversation with filmmaker Ashley Tindall will be held in Columbia Access Television Studio A, 1405 E. Broadway. The Third Goal International Film Festival will be held in the MU Student Center.
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the festival’s website to learn more.
by Debra Mason
From the MU Chinese Studies Program and the Department of German and Russian Studies: Fat Bird is a collective of professional and non-professional performers dedicated to expanding theatrical possibilities in Shenzhen. To that end, the troupe collaborates with architects, visual artists, and poets, local and international. Projects include experimental workshops, guerilla performances, movement pieces, and more traditional pieces staged in a theatre. Please join us for a workshop series and staged reading of “Crossroads,” a play about the breakdown of the traditional Chinese family during economic boom times.
Date/Time:
Workshop Series: 4 to 6 p.m. February 3 through 5, Strickland Hall, Room 217
Staged Reading: 4 to 5:45 p.m. February 7, Jesse Wrench Auditorium
Location: Please see above.
Cost: Free
For more information: Contact the Department of German and Russian Studies by phone at (573) 882-4328 or email grs@missouri.edu. You can also visit https://sites.google.com/site/maryannodonnell/fatbird or http://shenzhennoted.com/fat-bird/.
by Debra Mason
From the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics & Culture: The Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, & Culture will hold its 2014 Annual Conference March 21-22 at Chapman University in Orange, California. The Economic Journal will publish a Feature on the Economics of Religion drawing on papers presented at the conference. We are looking forward to an exciting program and you are invited very kindly to contribute to it by submitting a paper. We are seeking papers that engage with questions of economics, religion and culture across the social sciences, bringing together a wide variety of academics as well as policy specialists. Professor James Andreoni will deliver the Keynote Address at the conference.
Date/Time: Conference runs from March 21-22, 2014. Single paper abstracts are due Oct. 4, 2013. Single papers for feature are due Oct. 4, 2013. Complete sessions are due Oct. 18, 2013.
Location: Chapman University, Orange, Calif.
Cost: Register at ASREC’s website.
For more information: Email and submit proposals to conference@asrec.org.