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The William and Margaret Witherspoon
Lecture Series
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William Witherspoon |
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Margaret Witherspoon |
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William Witherspoon established the lecture series at Queens in memory of his wife Margaret, a 1932 alumna of Queens who passed away in 1995. She majored in chemistry and biology and taught high school in St. Louis, Mo. They were married in 1938. The Witherspoon Lectures were established to address the religious and moral implications of developments in the sciences.
"I decided to endow theis lecture series at Queens because I feel it is important for students today to know the important connection between theology and science," Witherpoon said. "The number of philosophy and religion majors has risen in recent years at Queens, and I wanted to support the University's committment to linking the humanities and the natural sciences."
William Witherspoon studied nuclear physics, chemistry and astronomy at the University College of Washington University in St. Louis while building a successful career in investment analysis.
A sampling of Witherspoon's writings connecting philosophy, religion and the natural sciences
can be found at www.wwitherspoon.org.
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Dr. Goodenough spoke to a full house April 6
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The 2006 William and Margaret Witherspoon lecturer, Dr. Ursula Goodenough, spoke to a large crowd of Queens students and Charlotte community members on Thursday, April 6 in Accenture Auditorium on the campus of Queens. Her lecture, “Exploring the Concepts of Religious Naturalism,” focused on the intersection of science and religion.
Goodenough posed such questions as, “What is meant by religious?” and, “What is meant by naturalism?” She discussed the story of the evolution of the universe and suggested ways that this narrative can frame interpretive, spiritual and moral responses.
"The paradox we've struggled with," Goodenough said, "is ourselves - our spirits don't feel material, we experience them as virtual realities." She went on to explain that the human lineage is a "social" lineage where we are not only aware of ourselves, but also of others.
Goodenough addressed the issue that some think attention to science is to be feared because it reduces religion and faith to molecules, genes and neurons. She cited several studies and explained the various positions scientists take and although some claim only "non-God" findings, there are many who can see and live both sides. There are scientists who feel that to deny God is to deny a creator with a plan and a purpose. The scientific findings they conclude are merely evidence of a greater, larger being who controls us all.
Goodenough is the author of a best-selling textbook on genetics and the popular book, "The Sacred Depths of Nature," which received the Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Book of 1999. She has served as president of the Society of Cell Biologists and also as president of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science.
For more information about this and other community programs at Queens, contact Carrie Carper at (704) 337-2499 or by email at carperc@queens.edu.
William Witherspoon established this free lecture series at Queens to address the religious and moral implications of developments in the sciences. Margaret Witherspoon was a 1932 alumna of Queens with majors in chemistry and biology who taught high school in St. Louis, Mo. William Witherspoon studied nuclear physics, chemistry and astronomy at the University College of Washington University in St. Louis while building a successful career in investment analysis. A sampling of Witherspoon's writings connecting philosphy, religion and the natural sciences can be found at www.wwitherspoon.org.
As part of the 2004-2005 Witherspoon Lecture series, the Reverend Anna Case-Winters, theologian and professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, presented “Theology and Science: A Constructive Engagement” to a full house in Accenture Auditorium at Queens University of Charlotte on October 28, 2004. Philosophy and religion students, several faculty and over 100 community patrons attended the lecture.
Dr. Case-Winters began by pointing out that theologians and scientists must try to understand one another, rather than remain content being radically different. She talked about the fear of conflict that exists on both sides, but that in reality, science and theology need one another. She described theology as “faith seeking understanding” and suggested that theologians should try to understand science and vice versa.
She also mentioned that traditional ways of understanding God may be called into question regarding miracles and signs, etc. She suggested that it could be possible that God works within the scientific process and doesn’t necessarily orchestrate a world of “puppet theater.”
In conclusion, Dr. Case-Winters said that theologians and scientists recognize the need to be cautious because they both know they are radically situated. “But,” she stated, “the quest for truth is upon us. Challenges are real and urgent and they are best addressed by theology and science uniting together.”
Dr. Case-Winters is the author of "Divine Power: Traditional Understandings and Contemporary Challenges," and is currently engaged in research and writing on the topic of theology and science. She is the recipient of the Templeton Exemplary Paper in Humility Theology for 1997, the 1998 recipient of the Religion and Science Course Award and was the 2000 grant recipient for the Templeton/USA Lecture Series. Dr. Case-Winters is a member of the American Academy of Religion and past president of the American Theological Society.
William Witherspoon established this free lecture series at Queens to address the religious and moral implications of developments in the sciences. Margaret Witherspoon was a 1932 alumna of Queens with majors in chemistry and biology who taught high school in St. Louis, Mo. William Witherspoon studied nuclear physics, chemistry and astronomy at the University College of Washington University in St. Louis while building a successful career in investment analysis. A sampling of Witherspoon's writings connecting philosphy, religion and the natural sciences can be found at www.wwitherspoon.org.
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