Belief in Science & Belief in God

Belief in Science & Belief in God: A Scientist’s Perspective on “New Atheism”

Talk and Q&A Session with Canadian physicist Dr. Dinesh Singh

Eye_earth
Wednesday, 26 February 2014, 7.30 pm – 9:30 pm
Friends Meeting House (Aldren Wright Room)
12 Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BA

The modern-day proponents of atheism, such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Lawrence Krauss have gained the public’s imagination regarding their claims that God does not exist and that organized religion is harmful to the human race.  They also claim that “no evidence” exists whatsoever to support the presence of God in human experience, suggesting on scientific grounds that the need for a Divine Creator is a “failed hypothesis.”  Furthermore, they contend that holding a belief in God is a “delusional” act with disastrous consequences for global society on multiple fronts.

According to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, science and religion are both complementary and necessary for the progress of humanity into the future.

In this presentation, Dr. Dinesh Singh offers interested people the opportunity to thoughtfully consider his professional and personal response to the “new atheism” of Dawkins and others with examples from theoretical physics to suggest that “belief” within science is not fundamentally different from “belief” within religion, and that the main conclusions drawn by these atheists about the science and religion debate need to be thoroughly re-examined.

Dinesh Singh, Ph.D. is a Canadian research scientist in theoretical physics at the University of Regina, Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

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Islam in Modernity: Overcoming Barriers Between Faiths

Abstract
Dr. Khazeh Fananapazir has been engaged in interfaith dialogue since the 1970s, an interest that increased commensurately with the rise of various fundamentalist groups in the ‘70s and ‘80s, especially after 9/11. His research focuses on two pivotal questions:

(1) Is there any way out of the impasses and misunderstandings between faiths and communities?
(2) How can various faith groups work together to achieve unity?

Khazeh believes that there is a way out, and a hundred years ago that way was delineated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

When
Friday, 7th February, 7:30-9pm
Harrods Room, Emmanuel College

Biography
Dr. Khazeh Fananapazir graduated in Medicine from Oxford University and is now a cardio-thoracic surgeon in Leicester, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. Teaching is one of his passions, and he is much admired and loved by his students. Khazeh has a keen interest in study of the Sacred Books. Fluent in Arabic and Farsi, he has published extensively. He is a lifelong student of the Bahá’í Faith, and in particular its relationship with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

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Talk on 4th July “Belief in Science & Belief in God”

Belief in Science & Belief in God: A Scientist’s Perspective on “New Atheism”

Belief_Science_God

Talk and Q&A Session with Canadian physicist Dr. Dinesh Singh

Thursday, 4 July 2013   7.30 pm
Latimer Room, Old Court, Clare College
Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL

The modern-day proponents of atheism, such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris have gained the public’s imagination regarding their claims that God does not exist and that organized religion is harmful to the human race.  They also claim that “no evidence” exists whatsoever to support the presence of God in human experience, suggesting on scientific grounds that the need for a Divine Creator is a “failed hypothesis.”  Furthermore, they contend that holding a belief in God is a “delusional” act with disastrous consequences for global society on multiple fronts.

According to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, science and religion are both complementary and necessary for the progress of humanity into the future.

In this presentation, Dr. Dinesh Singh offers interested people the opportunity to thoughtfully consider his professional and personal response to the “new atheism” of Dawkins and others with examples from theoretical physics to suggest that “belief” within science is not fundamentally different from “belief” within religion, and that the main conclusions drawn by these atheists about the science and religion debate need to be thoroughly re-examined.

Dinesh Singh, Ph.D. is a Canadian research scientist in theoretical physics at the University of Regina, Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

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Fireside this Friday: Comparing Scientific & Spiritual Search for Truth

Dear friends,

The fireside series at my home continues this Friday 12th April, at 8 pm, with a discussion on the topic, “Comparing methods of scientific and spiritual search for truth,” We will compare the methods of spiritual search with those of scientific search and explore how the goal/outcome of spiritual search oncludes at the point of indicating “inspired civilization” (not salvation as commonly thought). This topic is being repeated since not many friends attended last time despite an excellent presentation.
All are welcome, particularly seekers.
With love,
Nabil

Fireside this Saturday: Comparing methods of scientific & spiritual search for truth

Dear friends,

The next fireside will be this Saturday, 16th March, 5:30 pm pot-luck dinner + 7 pm talk (at Nita’s home instead of Nabil’s), with a discussion on the topic, “Comparing methods of scientific and spiritual search for truth.” We will compare the methods of spiritual search with those of scientific search and explore how the goal/outcome of spiritual search includes the point of indicating “inspired civilization” (not salvation as commonly thought).
All are welcome.

Fireside series: Intro to the Baha’i Faith

Dear friends,

I will be hosting regular fortnightly, i.e. every two weeks, discussion evenings at my place on Fridays, 8 pm, followed by refreshments. These are open to all and are meant to provide a regular space to learn more about the teachings and principles of the Baha’i Faith and how they relate to current issues in the world. The format will be a short presentation on a topic followed by open discussion. The first one will be this Friday on a general introduction to the Faith.  Here is a list of future fireside topics which is subject to change. Let me know if you’d like to propose a topic or have a particular question(s).

Best wishes,

Nabil