Assembly Should Be a Place to Learn, Discuss, and Disagree

Using the communication skills we’ve all been practicing, I shall speak in ‘I’ statements, and from my perspective. Over the last few days I have found myself in several conversations where I have been surprised to learn that some people felt a religious person like myself probably felt uncomfortable in Friday’s Assembly. Gosh, I really enjoyed Dan’s talk! Of course, I’ve known Dan Brown for years. And in all honesty, I disagreed with a lot of what Dan said in the second half of his talk– I cheerfully composed all kinds of rebuttals in my head while he was talking. But my disagreement was just that- cheerful! Lots of people think science and religion are incompatible and are ready and willing to explain to me why they think so. And (no surprise for someone who is a scientist and a practicing Catholic) I don’t think science and religion are incompatible, and I am ready and willing to take these people on in lively intellectual debate.

"I, a God-believing scientist, need to be willing to listen to and engage with people who hold science and religion incompatible."

Of course, it’s important to distinguish personal attacks or name-calling from intellectual disagreement.

There are times I have been told “oh you must be stupid to be Catholic and believe those things.” That’s not what I heard on Friday. I heard from someone who perhaps discusses his beliefs with vigor, but is someone who also respects other point of views.

The central question for me is not really about Friday’s Assembly but the broader question of what speakers we bring to Assembly, and the bigger question of hearing ideas I disagree with. We need to be able to hear from people with opposing views. I, a God-believing scientist, need to be willing to listen to and engage with people who hold science and religion incompatible. People with those opinions will think my ideas are illogical – that’s what disagreement looks like. But I need to be able to hear people who disagree with me. Liberals need to listen to conservatives and vice versa, and trade globalists to trade protectionists, and so on. I am someone who eats meat; I should listen to a talk by someone who believes we should all be vegetarian. If it makes me uncomfortable, well, that might be the ‘uncomfortable’ feeling of growth: maybe my idea is actually wrong. Exposing me to these ideas isn’t the institution failing and needing to be better: that’s the institution doing its job well. I hope I continue to be challenged in Assembly.

-Fran Johnson