The Rational Rationale
	The dismissal of spirituality receptive people as "irrational" is disingenuous at best, dishonest at worst. While there are many examples of unexamined religious beliefs and practices that defy all reason, most do not lack reason, but transcend it.
A Critical Thinker's Guide to Reliable Information
	There is no such thing as unbiased information. The moment someone shares information, it is being used for a particular purpose. Take a moment to ask, "What does the provider of this information expect me to do with it?"
"Will the Real Image of God Please Stand Up . . . "
	This is the question anthropologists and theologians are debating this week with the discovery of "a new human-like species" discovered in Indonesia. Named Homo floresiensis, the new species lived about 18,000 years ago.
Circling the Logic — Further Struggles in the Relationship of Science and Religion
	One of the most interesting aspects of work in the area of science and theology are the conversations with colleagues in both religion and the physical and theoretical sciences. What follows is an approximation of a conversation I held recently with a retired professor of astrophysics from a local university. It picks up shortly after a statement about the irrationality of spiritual belief . . .
"In the Beginning" Series
	"In the Beginning..." is a set of four small-group discussion guides designed to allow each individual to identify what he or she believes concerning the creation of the world and the origins of humankind. Each leaflet in the set attempts to present clearly and fairly one of four primary points of view. Study of all four leaflets should enable participants to articulate their own position as well as better understand the position of others. "In the Beginning . . ." is intended to promote discussion and learning and does not reflect the official position of The United Methodist Church or the General Board of Discipleship.
Report of the Task Force on Science and Theology to the 2004 General Conference (in pdf)
	Please note that you must have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download from Adobe) to read the pdf files.
Resolution Calling for Resources to Explore the Relationship of Science and Theology (in pdf)
Budget Proposed to Support the Development of Resources to Explore the Relationship of Science and Theology (in pdf)
Response to the Draft Report of the Task Force on Science and Theology: "One aspect you overlook is the political"
Response to the Draft Report of the Task Force on Science and Theology to the 2004 General Conference
Facing the Wrong Way — God, Darwin, and Being Too Smart for Our Own Good
	(A paper prepared for the Dartmouth Colloquy on Science and Religion, August 2003) Participants in this year's discussion on the relationship between science and religion have written a five-page position paper on a related topic. Dan Dick from the General Board of Discipleship is invited to attend due to his "in the Beginning..." series. His paper relates to the ongoing debate between Darwinian Evolutionists and Biblical Creationists.
Response to "Facing the Wrong Way": "You begin with a flawed point of view . . ."
Response to Dan Dick's article "Facing the Wrong Way" from a Religious Rationalist
(May 14, 2003, UMNS) Group Seeks to Help Churches Address Bioethics Issues
	A working group of the World Council of Churches plans to carry several recommendations on bioethics to the organization’s Central Committee in Geneva this summer.
(March 19, 2003, UMNS) Task Force Begins to Spell Out Concerns with Bioengineering
	United Methodists must address the threats that genetic engineering poses to biodiversity and agricultural diversity, according to the Bioethics Task Force of the church’s social action agency.
On Earth As It Is in Heaven: Where Was God When Columbia Exploded?
	A woman pulled me aside and said, "You work with the Science and Theology Task Force. I have a question for you: 'Where was God when the space shuttle blew up?' Tell me that!"