Writing About Faith-Based Issues in an Academic Venue

Some things to think about… Why is this discussion necessary? How do these issues affect my studies? How do these issues affect the ways in which I want to use my degree?

Does the universe have purpose?

Unlikely. While nothing in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, or cosmology has ever provided direct evidence of purpose in nature, science can never unambiguously prove that there is no such purpose. As Carl Sagan said, in another context: Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. -Lawrence Knauss, professor of physics and astronomy at Case Western Reserve University

Yes. Consider this question: Do the Earth and mankind have a purpose? If so, then the universe does too, ipso facto. If not, the universe might still have some other purpose; but I don’t have to face that contingency, because I believe we do have one… -David Gelernter, professor of computer science at Yale University

No. In the absence of evidence, the only reason to suppose that it does is sentimental wishful thinking and sentimental wishful thinking, which underlies all religion, is an unreliable tool for the discovery of truth of any kind. - Peter Atkins, professor of chemistry at Lincoln College, Oxford University

Not sure. Anyone who expresses a more definitive response to the question is claiming access to knowledge not based on empirical foundations. -Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and director of New York City’s Hayden Planetarium

Indeed. But it is not possible to know that by looking at the natural world alone. The question of purpose is closely related to the question of whether something like the God of Western monotheistic religions can be known to exist by studying the order, goodness, and grandeur of the universe. -Nancy Murphy, professor of Christian Philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary

I hope so. And if it doesn’t, it’s up to us to give it one. But first, let us consider these questions: Why the world? Why people? Why did God consider it useful or even good to introduce them into his universal plan? -Elie Wiesel, author and professor at Boston University

The Rules I am the moderator No voice is more important than another There are no absolutes Everyone must be willing to be wrong

Examples… Acceptance and empathy is Greenleaf’s (2002) third talent of the servant leader. The servant leader has learned to accept people and to reject inappropriate characteristics, traits, and behaviors. This is a difficult task because many people find it difficult to separate the person from the behavior. In the religious world, many Christians find it difficult to separate the sin from the sinner.

Examples… Although Astor (2004) did not believe that leadership is influence alone, he recognized that the servant leader must be able to persuade followers. The thought of persuasion has the same concept of salvation, which is winning one soul one at a time.

Building a bridge

Personal Faith Definitions and Barriers

Christian The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.

Islam "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger."

Judaism Shma Yisrael: Hear, oh Israel! The Lord is our God-the Lord alone.

Doctoral Writing Definitions and Barriers

Zuckerman’s Charge Your job is to show that you know what you’re talking about, that what you are writing is true, and that what you’re writing matters with master’s or doctoral-level evidence that will pass the critical read of this audience in the authoritative style and voice of a scholarly writer.

The Bridge Consider your sources Chicago Manual of Style Social Problem vs. Research Problem Sense of the Scholarly Audience A willingness to be challenged

Remember These principles apply to all types of research Issues of faith, race, philosophy, and cultural identity are too big for a single document Rational, Objective, Dispassionate