Missouri Western State University seeks to promote healthy dialogue between science, philosophy and religion on critical issues of importance to our nation.  To do this we propose a yearly conference to be held on our campus to bring together nationally renowned speakers for discussions, lectures and debates.

The topics for discussion are chosen by committee and relate directly to controversial subjects in politics and culture.  The treatment of controversial subjects in this series is intended to stimulate intellectual inquiry while fostering discourse across a wide array of academic fields.  The topics in the first four years of the project are as follows:

There are many topics treated in university science classes that seem to place scientific views in tension with the belief system of conservative Christians.  There is not enough time in a typical 50 min. science class to allow discussion of controversial subjects and to convey the appropriate scientific knowledge.  This can promote misunderstanding, which, in turn, perpetuates intolerance.  Events like this campus series promote dialog; they are enrichment events that deepen the understanding of all involved.

Two examples of these polarizing debates in contemporary culture concern stem cell research and teaching intelligent design (ID) in American secondary schools.  The debate over stem cell research is a hot topic in Missouri due to the proposed bill in the Missouri Senate to ban somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).  Conservative Christian groups are actively seeking to ban SCNT while the majority of scientists support SCNT.  In Kansas (where some of our students live) the Kansas State Board of Education proposed new standards for high school science education that promote teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution. While this option pleases conservative Christians, it deeply worries scientists.  Recent comments advocating the teaching of intelligent design in public schools by high profile individuals (including President Bush) highlight how this issue is beginning to work its way into the social consciousness.  Our proposal to hold a lecture series during the spring semester offers the opportunity for both academics and the public to become better informed about the central issues of this growing debate.