Religion and Science Public Dialogue
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Dialogues held monthly at the First Congregational Church at 125 Elmer St in Westfield and the First Congregational Church at 276 Haworth Ave. [and Owatonna St.] in Haworth, and occassionally at other venues (see the schedule below).
Check the listing below for the location of each dialogue

September - November 2005

A Consistent
Ethic of
Human Life 		In the Fall of 2005, we will be reflecting on A Consistent Ethic of Human Life. Specifically we will reflect on the ethics of embryonic stem cell therapy, reproductive cloning, and prolongation of life.

Embryonic stem cell research is quite controversial. Even the President of the USA has taken a stand to ban new stem cell lines, because these would result in the death of the embryos. Yet surplus embryos are regularly "destroyed" in in-vitro clinics. Why has God given us this knowledge with such potential to heal? Is there a way to steward God's gift so that its healing powers can be revealed?

Reproductive cloning has been outright banned. But is that the appropriate course? Is reproductive cloning always unethical? If indeed clones are possible, why has God made them possible? Some believe that reproductive cloning is already occurring (illegally). What must our response be to the humanity (or lack of) of a clone?

TOPIC Haworth (North) Westfield (Central)
Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy
Wednesday September 21, 2005 Tuesday September 13, 2005
Reproductive Cloning
Wednesday October 19, 2005 Tuesday October 11, 2005
All sessions are at 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted.
  • In Haworth, sessions are held in the fellowship hall of the church in the basement. Click here for directions to the Haworth church.
  • In Westfield, sessions are held in the Coe study of the church in the basement. Click here for directions to the Westfield church.

November BONUS

Intelligent Design: Good or Bad Theology? In this November Bonus session, we will examine the new theory of Intelligent Design. We will look at its underlying principles and aske the question, is it good theology or bad theology. Although ID claims to be a scientific theory, it assumes an Intelligent Designer. Is this Designer, God? What sort of god is it? And how does neo-Darwinian Evolution compare theologically.
TOPIC Haworth (North) Westfield (Central)
Intelligent Design's Theology

See also Montgomery County Science and Religion Discussion Group; October 9, 2005; Intelligent Design; by Rick Barr 		Wednesday November 16, 2005 Tuesday November 8, 2005
All sessions are at 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted.
For more information contact: Rev. John A. Mills, Director, Wisdom's Light wislit@worldnet.att.net