Wilberforce Forum

The Wilberforce Forum is a conservative Christian political and social think tank and action group particularly active in the promotion of Intelligent design in education and in biotechnology and bioethics issues, such as human cloning and stem cell research. It describes itself as the "Christian worldview thinking, teaching, and advocacy arm of" Prison Fellowship, its stated goal is "...to help Christians approach life with a biblical worldview so that they can in turn shape culture from a biblical perspective. Using the talents of leading Christian thinkers and writers, we seek to help Christians think and live Christianly not only in church and family circles, but also in the public square." It is named after William Wilberforce a British parliamentarian and leader of the campaign against the slave trade.

History

The Wilberforce Forum was founded in 1991 by Chuck Colson. [ [http://www.demossnewspond.com/wf/presskit/wffactsheet.htm The Wilberforce Forum Fact Sheet] Prison Fellowship Newsroom] It is now closely allied with the Discovery Institute, center of the intelligent design movement, the two sharing a number of fellows and advisors.

Policies

Wilberforce Forum supports Public Policy [ [http://www.wilberforce.org/contentindex.asp?ID=150 Public Policy] ] on Restorative Justice, Human Rights, Biotechnology, and the Federal Marriage Amendment. (It addresses bioethics issues, such as human cloning and stem cell research.) It is active in the promotion of a Christian worldview in education. It encourages research in intelligent design.

The Prison Fellowship publishes the online journal, "Findings" and BreakPoint [ [http://breakpoint.org/site_hmpg.asp BreakPoint] ] , a radio, online, and print media outlet of Christian commentary and perspective on current events with regular contributions by Chuck Colson.

The Wilberforce Forum Award

The Prison Fellowship presents an annual award, "The Wilberforce Forum Award" [ [http://www.wilberforce.org/contentindex.asp?ID=188 The Wilberforce Forum Award] ] to "honor individuals who battle philosophies that demean humanity." Eligible candidates for the award are Christian leaders who the Forum deem to "exemplify the principles and the commitment of William Wilberforce the great English statesman who waged a forty-year campaign to end the slave trade in Britain." Recent recipients include Constantin Asavoaie (2005), one of The Wilberforce Forum's own senior advisors; Dr. Phillip E. Johnson (2004), and Hon. Sam Brownback (2003). The Wilberforce Forum Award was established in 1987.

Wilberforce Forum certificate in Christian Worldview Studies

The Wilberforce Forum provides an on-line course to earn a certificate in Christian Worldview Studies.

Notable Advisors & Fellows of The Wilberforce Forum

Wilberforce Forum lists sixteen advisors with advanced degrees on its' [http://www.wilberforce.org/contentindex.asp?ID=182 Board of Reference] including:
* Dr. William A. Dembski, Senior Advisor
* Dr. Phillip E. Johnson, Senior Advisor
* Michael Novak, Senior Advisor
* Nancy Pearcey, former policy director and senior fellow

Wilberforce Forum has listed thirty three [http://www.wilberforce.org/contentindex.asp?ID=182 fellows]

References

External links

* [http://www.wilberforce.org/site_hmpg.asp The Wilberforce Forum homepage]
* [http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?SectionThe_Wilberforce_Forum&Template/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID14&ContentID12258 Findings, the online journal of The Prison Fellowship]
* [http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?SectionBreakPoint1 The Prison Fellowship's media outlet of commentary and perspective]