Two leading scientists with very different views on faith have taken part in a debate on science, the cosmos and human meaning. At the first Diocese of Leeds clergy conference (at Hope University, Liverpool), Prof Brian Cox and Prof David Wilkinson debated in front of 400 clergy and took questions from the floor.
Brian Cox talked about current cutting-edge theories to do with multiple or infinite numbers of universes (the multiverse), the horizon problem and inflationary cosmology.
He said he was delighted to address the conference (and wished it could have gone on longer) because such encounters enrich society: "l'm really concerned about the polarisation of debate in this country, the lack of ability to accept there are other points of view. I think difference of opinion is to be celebrated - it's indicative of a free society. We should be able to find ways of accommodation and of celebrating our mutual love of nature."
He recognised that faith and science don't have to be in opposition. He quoted the Belgian priest and Professor of Physics, George Lemaître (who proposed the theory of the expansion of the universe), who said, "There are two paths to truth; and I decided to follow both of them".
Watch interviews from the Conference with Brian Cox and David Wilkinson - click on the pictures below
Brian Cox also decried fundamentalism in either faith or science. He said, "The fundamental principle of science starts from a point of ignorance. I tell first year university students that they should be delighted when they're shown to be wrong because then they've learned something. It's learning that matters, not being right."
David Wilkinson said, "The Christian Church has to recognise our part where there has been a conflict between science and faith. We have sometimes played into the conflict and not taken science seriously or got to grips with what it is really saying.
"The good thing about this conference is the endeavour to build confidence among clergy and show that science isn't necessarily a threat to faith. Science is a gift from God.
"Rather than being defensive, we need to allow space in our churches for faith to be both challenged and enriched by opening up these discussions. And even if as clergy it's not your thing, there will be people in your congregations for whom it is their thing - and from whom we could learn."
Bishop Nick Baines, who chaired the debate, underlined the similarities between faith and science: "We are exploring from the same human impulse of wonder and imagination".
Afterwards he said, "It was a model of excellent dialogue and argument, engaging with big questions in an accessible way. It was inspiring, educative - and sometimes boggling."