Diversitas has kicked off its second year of community discussions.

Organizer Peter Cantelon explains they've seen new faces in attendance this year, as the series continues to tackle tough questions.

This month the topic was "Can Faith and Science Co-exist?"

Speaker Dr. Patrick Franklin of Providence Seminary presented his viewpoint that there is no conflict between faith and science, noting many prominent scientists that hold a Christian faith.

Patrick Franklin (PhD, McMaster Divinity College) is Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at Providence Theological Seminary. He also serves as Vice President of the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation

Cantelon notes it was a night of lively discussion.

"We have a strong and varied faith community," he says. "Issues like science and creation and evolution... are, I think, more in the forefront of people's minds locally."

Franklin described the world around us, creation, as another revelation of God in addition to the Bible. Science then helps people better understand and interpret that second revelation of God and His creation.

"We had plenty of questions from people of all stripes," Cantelon says. "The types and variety of questions were very good."

One of the major questions was on making a literal reading of the Bible.

As a seminary professor, Franklin noted it's important to take into account the different genres of scripture and the original culture in which they were revealed.

"When we do these things that seem difficult, we're actually working harder at understanding what God was intending for us," Cantelon says. "So in that sense... that kind of work is actually honouring God more than a simple reading based on what we want to believe."

Future topics include Secular and Atheist Movements in Canada, and Refugees in Manitoba.