Library, university series explores topics in faith and reason

The Central Branch of the Madison Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street; and the Stoughton Public Library, 304 S. Fourth St.; have joined forces in sponsoring a series of talks beginning Oct. 30 from renowned authors, local clergy, and Madison-area professors on topics involving the intersection of faith and reason.

Derived from a University of Wisconsin–Madison physics course on science and religion, this series tackles the inter-relatedness of both disciplines, and promotes the need for doubt and skepticism in matters of both science and religion. Marshall Onellion, a UW–Madison physics professor, is currently teaching a physics course on science and religion and co-author with Steven Fortney of the book "Seeking Truth: Living with Doubt."

The series is co-sponsored by the religious studies department at Edgewood College and physics department at UW–Madison.

The lectures and dates are as follows:

• "Religious Fundamentalism in America," Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7-8:30 p.m., Madison Public Library-Central Branch. The discussion will include Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer Prize winner and author of "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America;" and Onellion. The talk will be moderated by Professor John Leonard, chair of the religious studies department at Edgewood College.

• "Islam and Christianity," Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7-8:30 p.m., Madison Public Library-Central Branch. Presenters include Robert Spencer, author of seven books on Islam, most recently "Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn’t;" and Onellion; moderated by Leonard.

• "Christianity Today," Tuesday, Nov. 13, 7-8:30 p.m., Madison Public Library-Central Branch. Presenters include Brent Christianson, pastor of Lutheran Campus Ministry at UW–Madison; and "Seeking Truth: Living with Doubt" co-author Fortney; moderated by Leonard.

• "How the Brain Changes," Tuesday, November 20, 7-8:30 p.m., Madison Public Library-Central Branch. Presenters include Richard Davidson, Vilas Professor of Psychology and Neurology at UW–Madison; and Fortney. The discussion will be moderated by Phil Haslanger, contributing editor, The Capital Times.

• "Eastern Religions and Science," Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. Madison Public Library-Central Branch. Presenters are Fortney, who is a Buddhist initiate in both the Tibetan tradition and Japanese Zen tradition; and Onellion; moderated by Leonard.

• "What is the Role of Doubt in Science and Religion," Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7-8:30 p.m., Stoughton Public Library. Presenters are Onellion and Fortney; moderated by Leonard.