BY MATT HOWELL
Does God exist? Does science prove God doesn’t exist? These were some of the philosophical questions that guest speaker Kirk Durston discussed at a lecture that took place in the lower atrium on Jan. 23.
Durston grew up on a cattle and grain farm in central Manitoba where he spent countless hours wandering around on his own in the forest as a young boy, fascinated with the plants and animals, which led him to get into the scientific field in 1976.
Durston has a PhD in biophysics, and has been speaking to students across Canada about his research and his views on the correlation between God and science since 1983. He also has a masters of philosophy which he obtained at the University of Manitoba. He is currently working on getting his masters degree in theology as well.
Durston believes that science has tried to prove that God doesn’t exist, but has fallen short of that goal. He also believes that science and science-fiction get confused in translation, and what people think is mainly due to misinformation from science-fiction trying to pass as science. On the idea of our beginnings, Durston spoke on the concepts of time and circular fallibility.
“It’s logically impossible for the cause of time to be dependent on time, therefore, the cause of time has to be timeless itself. If time had a beginning, than whatever it was that caused time could not be dependent on time because that would be a circular fallacy,” Durston said.
He went on to describe in more detail the idea of circular fallacy. “Circular fallacy, or circular argument, occurs when you assume the truth of a thing you’re trying to prove in your opening premise, and once you assume that it’s true then you prove that it’s true,” he said.
The lecture went on for around 40 minutes with Durston speaking quickly and concisely throughout the presentation. The crowd of around 40 students seemed to be engaged and intrigued by Durston’s points and opinions.
Durston was asked to speak at the college by Power to Change, a Christian community at Conestoga that is part of a large network of communities across Canada who meet to discuss faith and Christianity.
Kirsten Fangrad, a second-year advertising student, is a member of Power to Change and wanted Durston to speak at the school.
“Our club is a Christian club. Our goal is to have meaningful conversations about spiritual things and life. Durston talks about the relationship between God and science, and he gives it with research and background information,” Fangrad said.
If you would like to know more about Kirk Durston or the Power to Change initiative, go to p2c.com/students/kirk-durston.
What is Journalism?