South-African Bobotie with Yellow Rice as main and Milk Tart for pudding was enjoyed by 40 odd guests this Wednesday 28th September, followed by food for thought with the interesting topic ‘Science (Art) and God’. The BISC team had been slavishly working all afternoon to get the food for the discussion forum ready. Don’t forget on the same day 12.00pm 2.00 pm the BISC kitchen and lounge was set up for the weekly soup lunch. I am always struck arriving on Wednesday morning about 10.00 a.m. of the wonderful savoury aroma that hits your nostrils as soon as you open the front door and walk in! I digress. The food prepared was yummy! Slightly more international students arrived than we expected, yet there was more than enough for all to enjoy!
After dinner Dr Charl Faul, a Christian and a noted chemist and lecturer at the University of Bristol, gave a well prepared presentation. The presentation was neutral and did not argue for one side or another. Guest were invited to form their own opinions and encouraged to seek facts within different ‘schools of thought’ before forming these opinions. One ‘school of thought’ was that faith and science do not necessarily have to apose one another, and where there might be contention between the two it need not end up in a sort of academic slanging match, damaging the credibility of both sides! Perhaps there is a lesson to learn from this.
The Blogmaster when reading for a Master’ degree at Leicester University in 1918 compiled a dissertation on Science, Religion and Education in Victorian Britain. It is interesting to note that part of the problem why other nations overtook Britain in industrial supremacy was because the politics of education in the 19th century was inundated with internal religious in-fighting. Not something we are proud of, but certainly something we were able to learn from.
Well back to the discussion: some very interesting questions from the audience followed Dr Faul’s presentation. The questions came from a number of disciplines, including psychology, biology and the humanities. The discussion was lively and stimulating, but the respect shown by all for differences in opinion, struck me as truly remarkable. It was an absolute pleasure participating in a Forum like this where every individual is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions.
As the Blogmaster, I am being slightly naughty in taking the liberty of sharing a personal story with you. Two years ago I experienced healing (which I believe to be at the hand of God) from a life threatening condition. This and working as a BISC volunteer, which in itself was a miracle and not by my own design, gives me total peace and happiness – ask me sometime and I will tell you what happened to me. In no way would I like to diminish the important role that science played in my healing process, but throughout my healing process, I know that I had a big encounter with a very big God of love!
If you would like to investigate Christianity in a non-threatening and relaxed atmosphere, please do sign up for the Alpha course commencing next Wednesday 4th November. Come and enjoy another two course meal and then stay for the course itself. As in the case of the Food and Discussion Forum, the course is not intended to convert you to Christianity. It is a simple two way approach leading to enriched discussion whilst respecting the opinions and beliefs of all involved. As with all other BISC events, international students of all faith backgrounds and those with no faith are most welcome.
Well that’s all for now folks. The Blogmaster
