CANTON — Ever wonder about the origin of the universe or evolution and how modern science and religious views conflict about those and other topics?

A series of discussions in May among scholars and religious leaders that are open to the public might shed light on the subject for those in attendance.

On the five Tuesday evenings in May, representatives of Reinhardt University, Heritage Baptist Fellowship and Faith Presbyterian Church invite the public to join them in exploring the relationships of modern science and religion.

A grant from the Templeton Foundation Science and Ministry Initiative has enabled a team of representatives from the three institutions to plan a series of five weekly explorations featuring scholars of science and religion. The programs will include presentations of what both science and the Scriptures have to say about the origin of the world, the development of human life, varieties of religious experience, human sexuality and questions of life and death.

The presentations will alternate between Heritage Baptist and Faith Presbyterian churches. The two churches are located next door to each other at 3615 and 3655 Reinhardt College Parkway.

Mary Jo Osteen, leader of the seminar development team, said speakers and presenters have been invited to consider a variety of topics that concern 21st century people, young and old.

The topics will include discussions of whether there are real conflicts between Judeo-Christian theology and the findings of science. They also will include consideration of whether modern science may actually help in understanding Scripture and in developing theological understandings that are in keeping with developments in modern science.

Osteen listed the five topics, to be explored from 7 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday evening. Lectures and presentations will be illustrated with projected visuals.

On May 1, the series will begin at Heritage Baptist Church. The topic of the series opener will be the “Big Bang” astrophysical theory of the origin of the universe, presented by Dr. Eddie Robertson.

That will be followed by a presentation by Dr. Charles Swann on the Genesis creation story and religious reactions to the Big Bang theory.

The second session, also at Heritage Church, on May 8 will take up the subject of evolution and the development of life on earth. Dr. Scott Reese will be the first speaker. His presentation will be followed by the Rev. Jake Hall speaking on religious resistance to the theory of evolution.

On May 15, at Faith Presbyterian Church, Dr. Curt Lindquist will speak on the origins of religious belief and the partnership of religion and science. His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion of “Revelation and Reason; the Bible and Science.” The Rev, Jake Hall will moderate the discussion.

The seminar proceedings return to Heritage Baptist Church on May 22 when Dr. Osteen presents “Sexuality: It’s All in the Brain.” Her presentation will be followed by Dr. Swann speaking on “Sex and Religion: Responses of Churches.”

The fifth and final seminar session on May 29 will feature perspectives on the end of life by a panel of physicians, ministers and counselors. This program will be presented at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Speakers and panelists who will be heard during the month-long series include Donna Free, member of Heritage Baptist Fellowship, Canton; Jake Hall, M.Div., Pastor, Heritage Baptist Fellowship; Abraham Luckhoff, Ph.D., Pastor, Faith Presbyterian Church, Canton, Mary Jo Osteen, D.V.M., Adjunct Professor of Physiology, Brenau College; Scott Reese, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology, Kennesaw State University; Eddie Robertson, Ph.D. Professor of Biology, Reinhardt University; Paige Sibley, M.D., Adjunct Professor of Biology, Reinhardt University; Charles Swann, S.T.D., retired Presbyterian minister; and Mark Waterman, M.D. ,Chief of Emergency Medicine, Atlanta Medical Center.

More information on this Science and Religion Colloquium is available at www.ScienceAndFaithCherokee.org. For more information, contact Chuck Swann at (770) 720-0122 or CharlesESwann1@aol.com.