Grand Dialogue explores Science and Religion

An expert and author of four books on the relationship between science and religion is the keynote speaker of the 2012 Grand Dialogue conference hosted by Grand Valley State University. The event is set for Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Keynote speaker Gerald Schroeder currently teaches at the Aish HaTorah College of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem on topics related to the confluence between modern scientific discoveries and ancient biblical commentaries. He earned his doctorate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in two fields: applied nuclear physics, and earth and planetary sciences. He served seven years at MIT on the physics staff prior to moving to Israel, where he joined the Weizmann Institute of Science, and then the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

This annual conference is an inter-institutional, inter-disciplinary, inter-faith exploration of science and religion. Grand Dialogue is an association of area colleges, universities and related organizations exploring the relationship between these two great ideas. Participating organizations each have their own unique perspectives, foci, message and intended audience. By cooperating, they affirm the willingness to be open to various issues and perspectives in a spirit of mutual respect.

The conference is free and open to the public. Lunch and breakout sessions will follow the morning welcome and keynote addresses. Registration for the conference and lunch ($5) should be made at www.GrandDialogue.org. For more information call (616) 331-5702.

Listen to Fred Stella's interview with Gerald Schroeder on WGVU radio's Common Threads here: http://www.wgvu.org/wgvunews/audio/fplayer1.cfm?styid=15565&id=ct