John Haught to lecture as part of Darwin Bicentennial Series

Appalachian State University’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth continues on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with a lecture by John Haught entitled “Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?”

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Farthing Auditorium, on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone. John F. Haught (Ph. D. Catholic University, 1970) is senior fellow, science and religion, at Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University.  He was formerly chair and professor in the department of theology at Georgetown University (1970-2005).  His area of specialization is systematic theology, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology and religion. 

Haught is the author of numerous books, including God and the New Atheism:

A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens (2008); Christianity and Science: Toward a Theology of Nature (2007); Deeper Than Darwin: the Prospects for Religion in the Age of Evolution (2003); and Science and Religion in Quest of Cosmic Purpose (2000).

Haught lectures internationally on many issues related to science and religion.

In 2002, he was the winner of the Owen Garrigan Award in Science and Religion; in 2004, the Sophia Award for Theological Excellence; and in 2008, a “Friend of Darwin Award” from the National Center for Science Education. He testified for the plaintiffs in the Harrisburg, Pa. “Intelligent Design Trial” (Kitzmiller et al. vs. Dover Board of Education).

Lectures presented as part of the Darwin Bicentennial Series are sponsored by the University Forum Committee, the Division of Academic Affairs, University College, the Darwin Bicentennial Celebration Committee and the College of Arts and Sciences. Additional support for the series has been provided by the Joan Askew Vail Endowment and the Morgan Lecture Series in the Sciences.

Additional details may be obtained at www.universityforum.appstate.edu or by calling the Office of Academic Affairs at (828) 262-7660.