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God and science 'are compatible' God and science 'are compatible'
(18 minutes later)
The Church of England's ruling council has passed a motion calling on Church leaders to emphasise the compatibility of belief in both God and science.The Church of England's ruling council has passed a motion calling on Church leaders to emphasise the compatibility of belief in both God and science.
The motion urges the Church to fight back in what is the latest move in a battle between atheists and believers.The motion urges the Church to fight back in what is the latest move in a battle between atheists and believers.
The motion at the General Synod in London was proposed by Dr Peter Capon. The motion at the general synod in London was proposed by Dr Peter Capon.
He believes atheists are forcing the public to choose either belief in God or the logic of science in a bid to push religion out of the public sphere.He believes atheists are forcing the public to choose either belief in God or the logic of science in a bid to push religion out of the public sphere.
Two disciplines
The motion was passed 241 to two, with two abstentions.The motion was passed 241 to two, with two abstentions.
ANALYSIS John McManus, religious affairs producer, BBC News
Dr Peter Capon proposed his motion because he wants the Church to make a stand against well-known atheists, such as Prof Richard Dawkins, who say that science has disproved God's existence, and therefore it doesn't make sense to believe in both.
Prof Dawkins has riled many in the religious world and his name was mentioned throughout the debate, along with a fair smattering of scientific theories.
But Dr Capon's motion was never going to be just about whether religion trumps science, or vice versa.
Instead, he was making a plea for faith to be allowed to have its own space apart from science, equal but different.
Though he admitted that many of the universe's mysteries had been solved by rational enquiry, he and many other speakers repeated their belief that some aspects of existence couldn't be explained by the people in lab coats.
And that is where the two sides will never agree.
Dr Capon's motion has come in response to what many in the churches perceive as a growing pressure on the public to choose between the merits of either religion or science.Dr Capon's motion has come in response to what many in the churches perceive as a growing pressure on the public to choose between the merits of either religion or science.
A former lecturer in computer science, Dr Capon says atheists are misleading the public when they claim science and religion are incompatible.A former lecturer in computer science, Dr Capon says atheists are misleading the public when they claim science and religion are incompatible.
He believes that some popular science and nature programmes also repeat this line too easily, ignoring the fact that many scientists hold spiritual beliefs.He believes that some popular science and nature programmes also repeat this line too easily, ignoring the fact that many scientists hold spiritual beliefs.
But critics say the two disciplines contradict each other, and accuse religious groups of seeking to hamper and reverse scientific breakthroughs.But critics say the two disciplines contradict each other, and accuse religious groups of seeking to hamper and reverse scientific breakthroughs.
The synod meets twice-yearly to discuss issues relating to the running of the national Church.
Delegates have also been hearing how the Church plans to implement the introduction of female bishops.
Additionally, it has has voted to back a motion expressing "deep concern" at what it believes is a cut in religious TV programming.