The Science and Religion Dialogue:
Why It Matters
— International Society for Science and
Religion, Sheraton, Boston 2004

"The Science and Religion Dialogue: Why It Matters." Public event sponsored by the International Society for Science and Religion, Sheraton Boston Hotel, August 19, 2004. Three Templeton Prize Laureates in an exchange across the common borders of science and theology. ( 1) George F. R. Ellis, 2004 Templeton laureate, theoretical cosmologist. (2) Holmes Rolston, III, philosopher, Colorado State University. (3) John C. Polkinghorne, Mathematical Physicist, Cambridge University, and Anglican priest. Moderated by Owen Gingerich, Astronomy, Harvard University. Question and answer session at the end. Filmed by WBGH Boston (PBS), and webcast. About a hour and a half.

Rolston talk: 31 minutes 43 seconds Archived online, Rolston lecture only: http://hdl.handle.net/10217/37482

Seen in terms of their long-range personal and cultural impacts, science and religion are the two most important forces in today's world. Science cannot teach us what we need most to know about either nature or culture: how to value it. Science increasingly opens up religious questions. The future of religion depends on the dialogue. The dialogue offers new opportunities for understanding and confronting suffering and evil. The future of Earth depends on this dialogue.

"The Science and Religion Dialogue: Why It Matters." Pages 33-37 in Fraser Watts and Kevin Dutton, eds., Why the Science and Religion Dialogue Matters. Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press, 2006. Originally this presentation at the International Society for Science and Religion, Boston, videotaped WGBH Forum Network.

Printed text online at: http://hdl.handle.net/10217/37440