Princeton University Class of 1957

Princeton University Class of 1957

A Retreat Seminar on Science, Religion and Faith

What

A Seminar/Preceptorial in the best Princeton tradition for classmates and their spouses/partners on the theme: Given the 21st Century scientific understanding of cosmology and evolution, what questions and insights occur for imagining the presence of God in the world today? What difference does it make? What impact on the future of Religious Faith?

When

Thursday afternoon reception, 4:30 PM, Sept. 7, 2006 – Sunday morning departure, 10:30 AM, Sept. 10

Where

A beautiful retreat center (www.resurrectioncenter.org) at 2710 S. Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL (NW Chicagoland, 40 miles from O’Hare Airport). Also a tour and lunch at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, “Fermilab” (www.fnal.gov), on Friday.

Program

While informative and inspirational talks are scheduled, the success of our Seminar will depend on your participation with questions and commentary. Ample time and facilities for such discussions are planned – during the talks, in scheduled breakout sessions, and in conversations during free time.

1. New Understandings of the Physical Universe & Cosmological Puzzles

by Dr. Scott Dodelson, Head Theoretical Astrophysics, Fermilab Astrophysics Center; Professor, Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Chicago

In recent years, among physicists and informed non-scientists, there is growing excitement in the science of cosmology. New data and theoretical correlations are leading to a more complete understanding of the origin and evolution of the physical universe that reaches back to within the first second of the "Big Bang." In addition, there are current puzzles, such as "dark energy," that are driving fundamental research. The role of particle colliders, the mammoth particle accelerators that are the basic tools of particle physics, is central. “Never again will our views of the physical universe be the same," said Dr. Raymond L. Orbach, Director of DOE's Office of Science, earlier this year.

Friday, Sept. 8, 10:30 AM (at Fermilab, prior to a tour of the facility.)

2. Evolution and the Trouble it Causes the Faithful

by Bartley Reitz ‘57, Princeton Class of 1957 Technology Chair, avid reader, student, and active church layman

Bart will examine the teaching of evolution in the context of our theme, Science and Religion. Is there a conflict? He never thought so and this is the opinion of prominent believers such as Ex-U.S. President Carter. But a closer reading of the material on evolution raises questions about religious assumptions regarding the Creator and the natural world. They are not trivial, and serious believers of all faiths must face the facts.

Friday, Sept. 8, 4:30 PM

3. Keeping Life’s Questions

by Dr. Frederick Borsch ‘57, Formerly: Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, and Dean of the Chapel, Princeton University; Currently: Professor of New Testament and Chair of Anglican Studies, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia

How do we interpret human awareness? It's place in the universe? Physics, astrophysics, evolution and Logos, God, divine Awareness? And are humans capable of more than enlightened self- interest? Fred will lead our discussion on these seminal questions. His reflections on these topics sometime find expression in poetry.

Saturday, Sept. 9, 9:00 AM

4. Is Religion Still Relevant?: A Focus on Christianity in its Third Millennium.

By Dr. Arthur J. Bellinzoni ‘57, Professor of Religion, and Special Assistant to the President, Wells College.

The Science vs Religion debate has resurfaced in recent years. Are religion and science compatible, or is the fundamentalist revival in America simply evidence of Christianity's most recent and perhaps final effort to exercise its authority before losing the war? Has insistence on the absolute truth of mental images of God become idolatrous?

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2:30 PM

Required reading

Attendees will benefit from some preparation. We suggest that you acquire and read the following:

The Spirit Searches Everything – Keeping Life's Questions, by Frederick Borsch, Cowley Publications (http://www.cowley.org/), 2005;

The Future of Christianity, Can it Survive? by Arthur Bellinzoni, Prometheus Books, (Expected release in May);

The Mind of God – The Scientific Basis For a Rational World, by Paul Davies, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 1992 copyright, 2005 edition;

Cosmology, The Science of the Universe by Edward Harrison, Cambridge U. Press, 2000 edition (Chapters 1, 8, 25 & 26).

Costs

$600 Seminar fee per person with single room at Conference Center; or $550 per person double occupancy. Fee includes 3 nights accommodation, 8 meals (including lunch at Fermilab), and transportation between the Conference Center in Woodstock and Fermilab in Batavia, IL.

Please Register by July 1, 2006. To reserve your place, mail your name(s), mailing address, phone number, and E-mail address, along with a check made out to the “Princeton Class of 1957" (with “Seminar” in the notation line) for an amount that is at least one-half the total fee (that is, $300 or $275 per person), to Jerry Moyar ‘57, 509 Aurora Ave., Unit 210, Naperville, IL 60540. Balance due by August 7. Deposits will be refunded if you have good reason to cancel before then. We are presently limited to accommodations for 30 persons, and are uncertain how many above that number we would be able to accommodate. First come, first served. For information or clarification, contact Jerry by phone at (630) 637-0434, or E-mail at gjmoyar@aol.com.

Directions

Detailed information on Ground transportation from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to the Resurrection Center in Woodstock, IL, via bus, train, or car, will be mailed later to all who register. This and the complete program may be found on our class website, www.princeton57.org

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