“FCP” wrote: Once or twice here, I’ve mentioned my hope of convening a conference (and of subsequently publishing a collection of the conference papers) in which believing Latter-day Saint scientists can write on how their science and their faith not only co-exist but mutually nourish each other. I’ve spoken with enough of them to know that, for many, the intricacy and the order that they observe on the microcosmic level of atoms and molecules and cells, in the terrestrial phenomena of geology and biology, and on the macrocosmic level of planets, stars, galaxies, and the cosmos itself moves them religiously and inspires them. I’m not looking for the familiar effort to reconcile science and theology, valuable though that is. Rather, I’m hoping for expressions of how science itself can be a kind of religious experience, even a religious vocation — “thinking God’s thoughts after him,” as Kepler said.
Such a conference or volume (preferably both) would, I think, not only help faithful Latter-day Saint non-scientists. It might make science seem less suspect and threatening to non-scientist believers. It might even interest a few able young Latter-day Saints to consider vocations in science — not least and not only by illustrating the fact that science is not intrinsically hostile or contrary to faith and spirituality but might even be an avenue for spiritual experiences.
Within the past month or so, I’ve been specifically encouraged to think about such a conference yet again. Over the past few years, several people have written to me, expressing their interest in participating in the project. Unfortunately, I’ve mislaid the file containing their names. So I’m asking anybody who might still be interested to contact me. Perhaps — I’m embarrassed to say — again. The game is afoot. Or, at least, it may be.
I guess he has given up on the book about Mormonism and science. Or Mormonism and near death experiences. Or Mormonism and atheism. It’s unclear what his book was ever going to be on.
He has set his sights a little lower, content to let others do the work for him at a conference. Let some genuine LDS academics prop up the church for a change!
Unfortunately I imagine most genuine LDS academics aren’t too keen on publicly associating closely with the BYU professors who have whored themselves out to defend the church… but who knows!
