OSU Guest Lecturer to Address Dispute Between Evolution, Religion

Thursday, October 15, 2009

By Joseph Dunn

(Oct. 15, 2009, STILLWATER, Okla.) – Cell biologist and philosopher Kenneth Miller will deliver a lecture on “Only a Theory? American’s Continuing Problem with Evolution” at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University.

Miller’s lecture will commemorate the bicentennial of Charles Darwin’s birth and address Darwin’s theory of evolution, which was published 150 years ago causing controversy since its beginnings.

“Dr. Miller strongly believes that evolution and religion are not opposed, but are in fact very compatible,” said Doren Recker, head of the philosophy department.

Miller has served as an expert witness in court cases about the teaching of intelligent design in schools, including Selman v. Cobb County School District and Tammy Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. He has made television appearances on C-SPAN and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” His book releases about intelligent design include “Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution” and “Devil in the Details.” He is a biology professor at Brown University and is chair of the American Society for Cell Biology’s education committee.

“This lecture shows promise on our campus because Dr. Miller relates well to young people,” said Recker.  “Whether someone is interested in science or religion, they will definitely find the lecture a worthwhile experience.”

The lecture is free and open to the public. An informal reception and discussion will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at Willard Hall.

To learn more phone (405) 744-0487 or e-mail doren.recker@okstate.edu. The event is made possible by the OSU College of Arts and Sciences Lecture Series and hosted by The Ethics Center, the religious studies program, and the departments of philosophy and zoology, all a part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Visit cas.okstate.edu.