John F. Haught, Ph. D, Senior Fellow, Science and Religion, Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University to speak at FSC Annual Meeting on Religion and Science on Feb. 6.

LAKELAND, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2009) — The Florida Center for Science and Religion at Florida Southern College will hold its Annual Meeting on Religion and Science in an Age of Doubt: The Battle for Jane and John Q. Public on Feb. 6 in the William M. Hollis Seminar Room on the Florida Southern campus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event concludes at 3:30 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. Lunch is available for $5.

Guest speakers representing a wide variety of disciplines provide insights into the theological, scientific and cultural issues surrounding public skepticism of science and religion. Keynote speaker Dr. John Haught will discuss "Evolution, Faith and Reason: What is at Stake after Darwin?" Haught received his Ph.D. at Catholic University. He is Senior Fellow, Science and Religion, Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

Other speakers and presentations include:

Dr. Paul Croce: "The Cultural Work of Darwinism: Scientific Authority, Public Reckonings, and Missed Opportunities." Croce has his doctorate from Brown University and is professor and chair of American Studies at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. He is president of the William James Society and author of "Science and Religion in the Era of William James," published by University of North Carolina Press.

Dr. Robert Baum: "Policy and the Politics of Who is Guarding the Henhouse: The Surreal World of the FDA." Baum earned his master's and doctorate from the University of Florida. He is professor and chair of the biology department and the coordinator of premedical studies at Florida Southern College. He received the "Miller Distinguished Professor" Award from Florida Southern in 2008.

Dr. Connie Bertka: "Science Education for a Religious Public: Insights from the Teaching Evolution Controversy." Bertka received a doctorate in geology from Arizona State University and a master's degree in theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. She was a senior research associate at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and later joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Last year she left AAAS to pursue her own teaching and writing interests and is currently teaching at Wesley Theological Seminary.

On display will be a student poster competition focusing on aspects of science and religion in the public sphere. A poster award presentation takes place before the afternoon session.

For more information about the Florida Center for Science and Religion or the annual meeting, please visit www.fcsr.net or contact Dr. Sara Harding at 863-680-4185 or via email at sharding@flsouthern.edu.

About the Center
The Florida Center for Science and Religion is funded by Florida Southern College and promotes the engagement of issues in science and religion throughout central Florida. The center sponsors annual lecture series, speakers and meetings on a range of topics, including stem cell research, evolution, mental health and spirituality and wellness. Past keynote speakers for the annual meetings have included Keith Meador, Ted Peters, Martinez Hewlett, Holmes Rolston III and Stephen Post.