The issue focused on issues such as climate change, scientific research and matters of science education.

One scientist said scientists had used technology to study evolution for 40 years but now were finding it difficult to predict what evolutionary theory would say about climate change.

He told the Science Media Centre that researchers did not want to move away from scientific studies into religion or theology.

But others argued that scientists should study religion because religion could provide useful insights into science.

Dr Josh Collins, who studies philosophy at