"Islam and Catholicism have in common that both have made very high level theological attempts to reconcile science and religion". This is what Stefano Bigliardi, member of the Foundation for research and Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (FIIRD), Geneva (Switzerland), said at the framework of the international congress 'Abrahamic religions and interreligious relations in the past and present'. The activity was organized by the project 'Religion and Civil Society' of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra.

The FIIRD's researcher indicated that such attempts at reconciliation often fail to reach grassroots believers because the argumentation is too complex: "It is easy to produce rhetorical books to show that Darwin is on one side and religion is on the other. But explaining to people how you can build bridges between science and faith, why you can be religious and at the same time believe in different scientific concepts, takes time and money".

"There is a need for institutions and people with adequate knowledge in both fields," he said. In this sense, he insisted that the obstacles are not theoretical aspects but practical ones, such as communication. 

Harmonious relationship between science and religion

Professor Bigliardi stressed that the relationship between science and religion can become harmonious. As an example, he mentioned that he has researched on the theories of some Muslim scientists who possess at the same time a very deep theological knowledge and who, therefore, "are able to keep together the concept of God and that of biological evolution or, at least, do not reject the question". These dialogues with Muslim scientists and leaders are collected in his 2014 book 'Islam and the Quest for Modern Science. Conversations with Adnan Oktar, Mehdi Golshani, M. Basil Altaie, Zaghloul El-Naggar, Bruno Guiderdoni, and Nidhal Guessoum'.

Professor Bigliardi stated that interreligious dialogue can also contribute to reconciliation with science: "Although there are different sacred texts in religions, there are common challenges and questions, such as whether it is possible to believe in a God staff and in contemporary Physics, or in a specific account of Creation and in biological evolution".

"Religions can share common experiences and try to develop a mature speech in which, as a priority, science is recognized as it is and false conceptions of science are rejected," he said. And he emphasized the latter: "When harmony is based on these pseudo-scientific conceptions, it becomes very fragile, an illusion".

Finally, he argued that some habits of science such as critical thinking, peer review and discussion can help to combat radicalism in theological speech . 

30 experts from 18 countries

Stefano Bigliardi is graduate and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Bologna (Italy). His postdoctoral research has focused on analytical and philosophical reflection on the study of science and religion, through contemporary authors, theologians and scientists who advocate harmony between Islam and science. His most recent research looks at the role of pseudoscience and antiscience in the contemporary discussion on Islam and science, as well as the relationship between science and new religious movements.

He has developed his research work and professor at the University of Konstanz, the University of Lund (Sweden) and the high school Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico). research He is currently a member of the Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (FIIRD), Geneva (Switzerland).

Stefano Bigliardi was among more than 30 researchers from universities in 18 countries who discussed interreligious dialogue between Christianity, Islam and Judaism at framework of congress 'Abrahamic religions and interreligious relations in the past and present'.

The participants, specialists in fields such as social sciences, history, Philosophy and Humanities, presented research that sought to shed light on how to achieve greater understanding between the Abrahamic religions.

Keynote speakers included Monawar Hussain, Muslim Imam and advisor at the Hospitals NHS Trust of the University of Oxford (UK); Carlos Eire, Professor of Religious History and programs of study at Yale University (USA); James Conroy, Professor of Religious and Philosophical Studies at the University of Glasgow (UK) and Professor of Religious and Philosophical Studies; and Tania ap Siôn, Deputy Director of St. Mary's University (UK).); James Conroy, Vice President of internationalization at the University of Glasgow (UK) and Professor of Education Religion and Philosophy; and Tania ap Siôn, Deputy Director of research center St. Mary's in Wales and Research Fellow at the research Religion Unit and Education at the University of Warwick (UK).