The Detroit Free Press published an AP news article about a study going on at Oxford University. Apparently, $4,000,000 has been designated to pool together a group of brainiacs to have a 3-year long conversation on whether we are born with an inherent nature to seek God.
Roger Trigg, acting director of the Ian Ramsey Center for Science an Religion (where the $4m grant is going to) stated, “One implication that comes from this is that religion is the default position, and atheism is perhaps more in need of explanation.” What an interesting position! Atheism may be in need of more explanation. I wonder how atheists around the world will view this? Of course, I doubt it will make much impact on atheism as this seems more like a discussion and a conclusion from a meeting of the minds, rather than anything definitive coming out as world changing, irrefutable proof that we are created by God to have a relationship with him.
Through it all, I am encouraged that a group that funds studies in spirituality, science, and religion would try to bring them all together through this $4 million grant. Again, nothing conclusive may come of it, but just the opportunity to possibly shed some light in a different direction on this argument is refreshing.
Here is a link to the Detroit Free Press Article: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080219/NATION/802190409/1020/NATION
Here is a link to a more-detailed story from the UK Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3393198.ece
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