Society, Religion and Technology Project
Encyclopedia
The Society, Religion and Technology Project - or SRT Project for short - was begun by the Church of Scotland
in 1970 to address issues being raised by the impact of modern technology. The project remains run by the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council
, but now on an ecumenical basis with the active support of Action of Churches Together in Scotland
, the Scottish Episcopal Church
, the United Reformed Church
and the United Free Church of Scotland
.
The aim was (and is) to ensure that the Church should be well-informed, and to stimulate a balanced debate in public and amongst those working in technological research itself. With the insight of a Christian ethical stance and seeking to be an independent voice free from vested financial or commercial interests, it has published many reports and publications.
The post of Director of the SRT Project is currently vacant (a new appointment will be made in early 2008). Throughout its existence it has been led by a series of professional directors with a proven record in a field of science, technology or sociology. The former Director was Dr Donald Bruce.
The vision of the SRT Project is:
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
in 1970 to address issues being raised by the impact of modern technology. The project remains run by the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council
Church and Society Council
The Church and Society Council is an agency of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is tasked with facilitating the Church's engagement with, and comment upon, national, political and social issues.The Council's remit, is to do this by:...
, but now on an ecumenical basis with the active support of Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Action of Churches Together in Scotland is a national ecumenical organisation of churches in Scotland, founded in 1990. It is the successor to the former Scottish Council of Churches...
, the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
, the United Reformed Church
United Reformed Church
The United Reformed Church is a Christian church in the United Kingdom. It has approximately 68,000 members in 1,500 congregations with some 700 ministers.-Origins and history:...
and the United Free Church of Scotland
United Free Church of Scotland
The United Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination formed in 1900 by the union of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland...
.
The aim was (and is) to ensure that the Church should be well-informed, and to stimulate a balanced debate in public and amongst those working in technological research itself. With the insight of a Christian ethical stance and seeking to be an independent voice free from vested financial or commercial interests, it has published many reports and publications.
The post of Director of the SRT Project is currently vacant (a new appointment will be made in early 2008). Throughout its existence it has been led by a series of professional directors with a proven record in a field of science, technology or sociology. The former Director was Dr Donald Bruce.
The vision of the SRT Project is:
- To foster an informed understanding in society of the issues which confront it as a result of current and future technologies, and to inform the churches of key developments;
- To provide opportunities for technologists to reflect on the ethical implications of their work;
- To respond with considered judgement to Government bodies on technological issues;
- To contribute actively to European and international debates on these issues.