Exeter biologist gives views on science and religion at film premiere

The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion is hosting the premiere of its latest contribution to the science and religion debate: the award-winning documentary Test of Faith. Produced for the Faraday Institute by Contrapositive New Media, the documentary, also includes interviews with Dr Francis Collins, former head of the Human Genome Project, palaeobiologist Professor Simon Conway Morris and renowned climate expert Sir John Houghton.

Professor John Bryant lives in Topsham and has been at the University of Exeter for nearly 24 years. He said: “I was delighted have the opportunity to take part in producing this documentary, especially in this ‘Year of Darwin’. We hear statements that science in general and evolution in particular are not compatible with religious faith and I wanted to help show that they are”

The project leader Dr Ruth Bancewicz said: “This documentary goes way beyond the black and white entrenched views of atheist science versus faith. Our aim is to help people to engage with some of the most important issues that confront us today in an interesting and intelligent way.”

The film is the centrepiece of a set of resources that have been designed to inform and inspire the Christian community to engage constructively with cutting-edge science. The materials, consisting of a DVD, book, course and website, engage with the issues concerning society’s relationship with science and faith at both an intellectual and a practical level.