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James B. Ashbrook: Pioneer in Neurotheology
by David Glover
James B. Ashbrook led the way in the study of neurotheology.
Having studied neuroscience and theology he took what he
learned from his study of neurology and moved beyond and
through the science to theology by way of analogy. His groundbreaking
studies correlated the structure of the brain to our understanding
of God. “Just as the mind reveals the human meaning
of the brain, so God discloses the religious meaning of
the mind.”
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Free Online Access to Articles on Religion and Medicine and Genetics
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Zygon is pleased to make available free of charge several
articles from volume 42 dealing with religion and medical
issues and genetics.
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Interfaith Symposium on "Issues in Biomedicine and Ethics"
A section from Zygon's March 2007 issue focuses on biomedicine
and ethics. This section brings together a very broad range
of voices for a conversation on one of the most urgent challenges
we face-Ann Pederson reflects on the abortion controversies
in South Dakota; Byron Sherwin plumbs resources from the Jewish
tradition of the Golem; Mohammad Motahari Farimani and Fatima
Al-Hayani expounds Muslim viewpoints on cloning and genetic
modification; Stephen Modell (medicine) and Philip Hefner (theology)
offers insights from a Christian perspective.
If you wish to download any of these articles, they are accessible
from the Blackwell Synergy online table of contents for Zygon
volume 42 issue 1 which is found at: www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/zygo/42/1
Symposium on "Crossing Species Boundaries"
Science has brought us to the point where we are now able to
take apart the genome that encompasses a variety of species
and rearrange the parts in specific genomes to which they are
not native. These intellectual advances are astonishing compared
to what was known even a generation ago, but we also question
the implications of what we are doing. We are asking whether
these actions are right or wrong or permissible or dangerous
or even desirable. British medical researcher Neville Cobbe
provides a full-length report on this unweaving and reweaving,
"Cross-Species Chimeras," along with his own proposals for moral
and Christian theological reflection. Stephen Modell (medical
researcher, public health) and Bernard Rollin (philosophy, animal
and biomedical sciences) add their own elaborative analysis
and reflection.
If you wish to download any of these articles, they are accessible
from the Blackwell Synergy online table of contents for Zygon
volume 42 issue 3 which is found at: www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/zygo/42/3
Proceedings from the Symposium Honoring Arthur Peacocke
Excerpts from
the proceedings of the Symposium, made possible through
the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation, are
now available online. For more information about Arthur
Peacocke and the symposium held in his honor, please visit
this page.
Dr. Philip Hefner answering
questions during the Peacocke Symposium
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Welcome...
Welcome to the web home for Zygon: Journal of Religion
and Science. The special logo on this page reminds us
that in 2005 the journal marked its fortieth year of continuous
publication. Even more significant than the anniversary
itself was the announcement that Zygon's entire 40-year
collection of articles is available online--just click on
the “Access Forty Years” tab at the top of your screen.
This puts at your fingertips what is surely the richest
library of religion-and-science writing available anywhere.
You will be transferred to the Blackwell Publishing site
where these articles are located, but on this present web
site we will offer commentary and special guides to the
40-year collection.
We encourage prospective authors. Click on the “Potential
Authors” tab to your left, for more information about becoming
an author--including topics that the editor, Philip Hefner,
is especially interested in right now.
You will also want to click on the “Zygon Proposal”
and “Who We Are” tabs on your left to learn more about who
and what we are and about the fundamental aims of the journal.
Although some of the information on this site will remain
constant, we will revise, replace, and create new text and
features on a regular basis--so visit us frequently.
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The Zygon Statement of Perspective
The word zygon means the yoking of two entities
or processes that must work together. It is related to zygote—meaning
the union of genetic heritage from sperm and egg, a union
which is vital in higher species for the continuation of
advancement of life. The journal Zygon provides a
forum for exploring ways to unite what in modern times has
been disconnected—values from knowledge, goodness from truth,
religion from science.
Traditional religions, which have transmitted wisdom about
what is of essential value and ultimate meaning as a guide
for human living, were expressed in terms of the best understandings
of their times about human nature, society, and the world.
Religious expression in our time, however, has not drawn
similarly on modern science, which has superseded the ancient
forms of understanding. As a result religions have lost
credibility in the modern mind. Nevertheless some recent
scientific studies of human evolution and development have
indicated how long-standing religions have evolved well-winnowed
wisdom, still essential for the best life.
Zygon's hypothesis is that, when long-evolved religious
wisdom is yoked with significant, recent scientific discoveries
about the world and human nature, there results credible
expression of basic meaning, values, and moral convictions
that provides valid and effective guidance for enhancing
human life.
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