Conversations in Religion, Ethics, Science, and Technology
(CREST)

Exploring Human Ability, Human Achievement, Human Limits, and Human Values


Offerings for Spring Semester, 2012:
Three 90-Minute "Crash Course" Book Studies

This semester, we will introduce the major themes of three books that address the challenge of living fulfilling, ethical lives in our modern world. It is not necessary to read the books ahead of time (but it is not discouraged, either!).

Christ and Culture, by H. Richard Niebuhr
Monday, February 13, 4:30 - 6:00 PM
In this classic book, H. Richard Niebuhr speaks of Christ and culture as the two points of reference for faith and ethics. How does one balance the call to be "good" as prescribed by one's religious tradition with how one's culture defines a "good" person? Niebuhr describes five basic approaches to balancing the call of religious tradition with the call of culture on our lives.

Christ and Culture is written from a Christian perspective, but its main points are applicable to other religious traditions as well.


Enough: The Ethics of Genetic Engineering, Robotics, and Nanotechnology
Monday, March 5, 4:30 - 6:00 PM
In his book, Enough: Staying Human in an Engineered World, Bill McKibben celebrates that which makes us most human, and challenges his readers to consider not only the benefits but the potential pitfalls of cutting-edge technologies.


Living a Life that Matters, by Harold Kushner
Monday, April 2, 4:30 - 6:00 PM
Most of us need to feel that we matter in some way; but most of us also need to feel that we are good people. In this practical book of spiritual advice, Harold Kushner bridges the gap between these seemingly irreconcilable needs, showing us how even our smallest daily actions can become stepping stones toward integrity.


About the CREST Initiative

The CREST Initiative was created to address the need for Religious Studies courses at Georgia Tech. Classes and lectures offered through the CREST Initiative will be similar in content and scope to academic offerings at universities such as Emory, Wake Forest, Purdue, and MIT. Until there are Religious Studies courses at Georgia Tech, there will be the CREST Initiative!