Scholars debate Christianity at forum

By NATHANAEL JOHNS/Montana State News

Christianity was up for debate Tuesday night as MSU philosophy professor David Maxfield and MIT nuclear science and engineering professor Ian Hutchinson discussed arguments both for and against Christianity during the Veritas Forum event entitled “Our Place in the Universe.”

Maxfield argued the case for secular humanism, and Hutchinson gave reasons why he thought there was legitimate evidence to support Christianity. Greg Valeriano, who is also an MSU professor in philosophy, moderated the discussion.

The audience was asked at the event to fill out surveys inquiring whether they were students at the university and what their beliefs were. Hedge said that 800 attendees were involved in some way at MSU, and 70 percent identified as Christian and 30 percent had other religious beliefs. According to the PEW Research Center, this reflects the general religious demography of the U.S.

Continue reading “Scholars debate Christianity at forum” →

February 7, 2016 0

Catholic coordinator has unique role at MSU

By NATHAN VOELLER/Montana State News

Religious texts, game boards and other supplies are strewn across every surface of the Resurrection Catholic Campus Ministry office. In the midst of the seemingly random assortment of equipment sits Brian Greer, whose job is to help others make sense of chaos through spirituality and the Roman Catholic faith.

Greer, a 24-year-old graduate of Carroll College, serves as the campus ministry coordinator for Resurrection University Catholic Parish. He took the job shortly before the fall 2012 semester began, arriving only one day before the final orientation session for new students at Montana State University was scheduled to start. Since then, Greer has sought to provide students with the means to preserve or find their Catholic faith and sense of identity in the college environment.

“My job is to provide opportunities and events to keep students involved in their faith,” said Greer. Continue reading “Catholic coordinator has unique role at MSU” →

March 3, 2013 0

A year later, Community Cafe is thriving

By NATHAN VOELLER/Montana State News

Bozeman’s Community Café has had no problems attracting visitors and volunteers since it opened in March last year, according to café spokesman Dustin Rothenberg.

Rothenberg said the Community Café, which serves warm food to community members free of charge from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day, is visited by 30 to 80 people or more each evening. Guests receive a main dish, which ranges from lobster ravioli to chili, depending on the types of food donated, and an assortment of side dishes.

Lori Christenson, the program coordinator of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, has reported that more than 26,000 meals have been served since the café opened.

Homeless individuals are usually among those who appear each evening, according to Rothenberg. However, families, students and other community members also come for meals. Workers at the Community Café welcome all visitors in attendance and stress that the café is open and available to everyone. Continue reading “A year later, Community Cafe is thriving” →

February 16, 2013 0

Science used to tout six-day creation

By TRISTAN ABBOTT/Montana State News

The Montana Origins Research Effort (MORE) is not your typical research group. Based in Bozeman, the group is comprised of both scientists and every day folk who believe in a literal six-day creation of the earth.

“The group was formed out of necessity,” says Esther Fishbaugh, one of the founders. “There were creation groups in Oregon and other places in the Northwest; it was time that there was a presence in Montana.”

Fishbaugh, who graduated with a degree in exercise physiology from MSU, says that the idea of creation science has received very little reception in the academic field.

The group is not based solely on religion, though, as scientific research plays an important role in their beliefs and fundamentals. Continue reading “Science used to tout six-day creation” →

April 29, 2012 0

‘Young Earth’ theory not negotiable

By JESSE POWELL/Montana State News

When you walk in the Museum of the Rockies and turn right, into the hall of bone and horn, there are answers. Life evolved billions of years ago in ancient seas. For the question, “should you forgive someone for doing you wrong?”

there are only display cases containing skulls both deaf and mute. Do economics and statistics sway our judgment in rescuing a priceless work of art or a common stranger if a fire broke out?

“I preach being right with the Lord and on being right in relationships,” Senior Pastor Bryan Hughes of Grace Bible Church speaks from an office packed with books, “like how to be a good husband. That is the focus of the ministry. [Origins] is interesting but not a fixation.”

With so much media hype, protests, angry debates, Pastor Hughes is deflationary of any melodramatic hopes. On the question of what should be taught in public schools, evolution or creation, Orlando Runs Above, a Native American educated within the tribal school system stated, “Openness and respect for all points of view which bring a rich view of education.” Continue reading “‘Young Earth’ theory not negotiable” →

April 29, 2012 0