A meeting of faith and science

There were roughly 79 people in attendance at the Faith and Science Forum in late January, bringing together participants from both faith-based and scientific backgrounds. The feedback received reflected the importance of creating space for this kind of conversation.

Christians shared that they felt relieved to hear faith discussed openly in relation to their work in the environmental sciences, while attendees from scientific backgrounds expressed surprise at how deeply people of faith could connect their beliefs to their professional work.

This is exactly the kind of conversation we need in a world that often pushes a narrative of a divide between faith and science. Faith and science are framed as being at odds with one another. In reality, faith helps guide our values and inspires hope, both of which nurture the sense of wonder and curiosity that draw people toward scientific inquiry.

Data alone cannot tell us why something matters or inspires us to wonder what future we hope to create. The curiosity that drives us to ask “why” and imagine “what could be changed,” along with the commitment to build a better world for the generations that come after us, is rooted in the spiritual aspects of people. Science gives us the tools and understanding to seek answers and take meaningful action.

We hope to continue creating spaces like this, where faith and science meet not in conflict, but in shared commitment to care for our planet and one another.

-Interfaith Working Group of the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition