LAF&S FORUM NEWS RELEASE
The Los Alamos Faith and Science Forum (LAFSF) 2026 Summer Series presents ‘Oppenheimer and the Science of Hinduism’ by Dr. Victoria Erhart on Wednesday, June 17, at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (TOTH), 3900 Trinity Drive.
A light meal will be served at 6 p.m. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be recorded and streamed on Zoom at https://losalamosfaithandscienceforum.org.
This presentation examines the relationship between faith and science, as well as religion and science from a variety of angles. It references primary source texts from the expansive canon of Hindu sacred scriptures. These texts include the Rg Veda, various Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, with specific reference to the ethical teachings contained in the Bhagavad Gita and its life-long influence of the ethical philosophy of Dr. Robert Oppenheimer.
Using examples from Hindu sacred texts, this presentation illustrates how findings in various fields of science are fully compatible with Hindu religious beliefs once the false dichotomy between faith and science is removed. This presentation makes a distinction between universally valid existential faith claims and doctrinal claims that are religiously specific. This presentation provides a brief analysis of and participation into the concept of the Cosmotheandric Mystery as explored by scientist and mystic Raimundo Panikkar in his work The Unknown Christ of Hinduism.
No prior knowledge of Hinduism is necessary.
Erhart’s academic background centers on the historical theology of the Late Antique period (100-750 CE) that saw the growth of Christianity from its Jewish roots into the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, the development of Rabbinic Judaism that continues today, and the rise of Islam from obscurity in the Arabian Peninsula into a global religion.
Her undergraduate education was at Saint John’s College – Santa Fe, followed by graduate work in Jewish Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, theological studies at University of St. Michael’s College – Toronto and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Erhart also earned an MBA from Strayer University in Washington, D.C.
For many years she taught World Religions and Business Technology courses at UNM-Los Alamos.
Dr. Victoria Erhart/Courtesy photo