Pope & Vatican on Evolution

[Dale]

The Vatican Observatory sponsored a conference to discuss evolution. Notice that the conference does not dispute the reality of evolution but asks: "Is there purpose in evolution?"

This is no longer breaking news but since Creationists are still trying to say that evolution=atheism, I thought I would point this out.

Story:

Vatican Observatory sponsors conference on evolution


The Vatican Observatory has convoked a range of experts to reflect on a question that at times seems to be forgotten in scientific research: Is there purpose in evolution?

http://www.cathnews.com/news/406/121.php



In the 1990's, Pope John Paul II had already refused to take a Creationist position:

In his Encyclical Humani generis (1950), my predecessor Pius XII had already stated that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith about man and his vocation, on condition that one did not lose sight of several indisputable points (cf. AAS 42 [1950], pp. 575-576).

http://www.cin.org/jp2evolu.html

 

[Washington]

The Vatican Observatory sponsored a conference to discuss evolution. Notice that the conference does not dispute the reality of evolution but asks: "Is there purpose in evolution?"

This is no longer breaking news but since Creationists are still trying to say that evolution=atheism, I thought I would point this out.

Yeah, I think it's primarily the more stupid creationists who equate the two, AND those who do know better, but have no scruples (evidently Christianity has given them a Scruples-Not-Needed pass) and equate the two so as to scare Christians away from evolution. It's the, "Whatever Works" dispensation that they are apparently protected by.

 

[atomweaver]

The Vatican Observatory sponsored a conference to discuss evolution. Notice that the conference does not dispute the reality of evolution but asks: "Is there purpose in evolution?"

This is no longer breaking news but since Creationists are still trying to say that evolution=atheism, I thought I would point this out.

Creationists are also trying to tell us that;

evolution = polytheistic religion

science = a religion

very good = inhospitable

the sons of men = Adam (and maybe Eve, too)

Ussher's ~6000 = CMBR's ~13.7 billion

objective data is all subjective (to which I ask, is it snowing out where you are? What is subjective about your answer?)

a PDA artery that is supposed to automatically close, which automatically closes, verifies that prayers work miracles, but only for Christians.

The perfect car can still be wrecked.

Science 'sucks' because it cannot investigate unique occurances which leave no evidence of their happening.

Public schools degrade the moral fiber of society because they don't teach spiritually.

Our government is not trustworthy enough to teach religion correctly.

One eyewitness is sufficient for an eyewitness testimony

Two additional eyewitnesses are needed to verify eyewitness testimony

Argumentum ad Youtubinem is a valid way of presenting one's views.

and last, None of the above is contradictory.

(Talk about a tower-full of Babel...)

 

[TheOutsider]

I'm glad that the Vatican is willing to take a stand in favor of evolution, but where are the Protestant church leaders? Why haven't we seen a leader of a big evangelical church saying, "Listen, evolution happened and we are just going to have to deal with it."? Are they that afraid of Creationists?

 

[Abongil]

I'm glad that the Vatican is willing to take a stand in favor of evolution, but where are the Protestant church leaders? Why haven't we seen a leader of a big evangelical church saying, "Listen, evolution happened and we are just going to have to deal with it."? Are they that afraid of Creationists?

The problem is that in Catholicism, the Pope is the head honcho, he has the last say and no matter what happens, he is going to remain the Pope, therefore he can take a stance that doesnt necessarily agree with the rest of the body of Catholicism and he can be more open minded.

In the protestant churches, you can just say that whichever religious leader you are currently listening to is wrong, evil or un-christian and go see another one. Protestantism doesnt have the unity that Catholicism has, or the structure, which is one of its MAJOR downfalls.

 

[sidhe]

The problem is that in Catholicism, the Pope is the head honcho, he has the last say and no matter what happens, he is going to remain the Pope, therefore he can take a stance that doesnt necessarily agree with the rest of the body of Catholicism and he can be more open minded.

In the protestant churches, you can just say that whichever religious leader you are currently listening to is wrong, evil or un-christian and go see another one. Protestantism doesnt have the unity that Catholicism has, or the structure, which is one of its MAJOR downfalls.

Although, to be fair, you can pull this link from the Episcopal Church's website, which is a nice statement on evolution being a perfectly acceptable stand.

 

[Dal M.]

I'm glad that the Vatican is willing to take a stand in favor of evolution, but where are the Protestant church leaders? Why haven't we seen a leader of a big evangelical church saying, "Listen, evolution happened and we are just going to have to deal with it."? Are they that afraid of Creationists?

That'd be the Clergy Letter Project. They've gotten the signatures of 11,152 church leaders from a variety of denominations - Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, even Baptists - who affirm that evolution and Christianity are completely cool with each other.

Needless to say, ICR is livid.

 

[Dale]

The Creationists don't seem to have anything to say. They could at least drop in and say that they disagree with the Pope, if that is the case.

 

[flameingcrouton]

The Vatican Observatory sponsored a conference to discuss evolution. Notice that the conference does not dispute the reality of evolution but asks: "Is there purpose in evolution?"

This is no longer breaking news but since Creationists are still trying to say that evolution=atheism, I thought I would point this out.

Story:

Vatican Observatory sponsors conference on evolution


The Vatican Observatory has convoked a range of experts to reflect on a question that at times seems to be forgotten in scientific research: Is there purpose in evolution?

http://www.cathnews.com/news/406/121.php



In the 1990's, Pope John Paul II had already refused to take a Creationist position:

In his Encyclical Humani generis (1950), my predecessor Pius XII had already stated that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith about man and his vocation, on condition that one did not lose sight of several indisputable points (cf. AAS 42 [1950], pp. 575-576).

http://www.cin.org/jp2evolu.html

Who cares what the Pope or the Vatican says. This is one of my biggest problems with the catholic church. If I had a quarter for every time I asked a catholic about some well documented belief of Catholicism (one that the pope puts his seal of approval on) I didn't understand and I got something to the affect of "Oh I don't believe that"... well, I'd have a lot of quarters. When did the Pope get a degree in biochemistry anyway. I hate the idea of one person speaking for all people of a given group.

 

[Technocrat2010]

Who cares what the Pope or the Vatican says. This is one of my biggest problems with the catholic church. If I had a quarter for every time I asked a catholic about some well documented belief of Catholicism (one that the pope puts his seal of approval on) I didn't understand and I got something to the affect of "Oh I don't believe that"... well, I'd have a lot of quarters. When did the Pope get a degree in biochemistry anyway. I hate the idea of one person speaking for all people of a given group.

Who said you needed a degree in biochemistry or science in general to have a view/opinion on evolution? Given the number of creationists who don't have credentials (*cough*Kent Hovind*cough*), I'm not sure why you're so worked up.

Oh, and FYI? On matters of science, the members of the Church can believe whatever they wish, so long as it doesn't contradict the doctrines of faith and morals.

 

[Bushido216]

Although, to be fair, you can pull this link from the Episcopal Church's website, which is a nice statement on evolution being a perfectly acceptable stand.

The Episcopals are hardly unorganized.

 

[Bushido216]

Who said you needed a degree in biochemistry or science in general to have a view/opinion on evolution? Given the number of creationists who don't have credentials (*cough*Kent Hovind*cough*), I'm not sure why you're so worked up.

Oh, and FYI? On matters of science, the members of the Church can believe whatever they wish, so long as it doesn't contradict the doctrines of faith and morals.

I just repped you for the upside down cross. I'd hate to see how spammed your inbox is.

 

[flameingcrouton]

Who said you needed a degree in biochemistry or science in general to have a view/opinion on evolution? Given the number of creationists who don't have credentials (*cough*Kent Hovind*cough*), I'm not sure why you're so worked up.

Oh, and FYI? On matters of science, the members of the Church can believe whatever they wish, so long as it doesn't contradict the doctrines of faith and morals.

you don't need a degree in anything to have an opinion, but you should if you intend on speaking for the entire catholic community.

 

[Technocrat2010]

you don't need a degree in anything to have an opinion, but you should if you intend on speaking for the entire catholic community.

The Pope did not make an ex cathedra statement on a matter of faith and morals, so he is not speaking for the entire community.

 

[Technocrat2010]

I just repped you for the upside down cross. I'd hate to see how spammed your inbox is.

Thanks.

Actually, not so much spam. I got reported once, and once I explained it was the Cross of St. Peter, they let me go. I'm surprised by the lack of spam, though - maybe the others are too afraid.

 

[NOTW]

Actually, not so much spam. I got reported once, and once I explained it was the Cross of St. Peter, they let me go. I'm surprised by the lack of spam, though - maybe the others are too afraid.

Haha.. good one...

Should I get Apostle Paul's beheaded head as my avatar?

 

[Technocrat2010]

Haha.. good one...

Should I get Apostle Paul's beheaded head as my avatar?

Heh. You could try. Although I wonder if people would be more curious than offended.

 

[TheOutsider]

That'd be the Clergy Letter Project. They've gotten the signatures of 11,152 church leaders from a variety of denominations - Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, even Baptists - who affirm that evolution and Christianity are completely cool with each other.

I feel dumb for forgetting about that, especially since the professor behind it is from Indianapolis. I'm glad to see that they are doing Evolution Sunday this year. I wish that the Methodist church I occasionally attend was on the list.

Needless to say, ICR is livid.

LOL. That's just precious.

 

[Bushido216]

Thanks.

Actually, not so much spam. I got reported once, and once I explained it was the Cross of St. Peter, they let me go. I'm surprised by the lack of spam, though - maybe the others are too afraid.

"OH NOES!!!!111 SCARY CATHOLIC MIGHT LIEK DOOM ME!!!!"

 

[ChordatesLegacy]

Archbishop of Canterbury backs evolution

Quote
The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the teaching of creationism in schools. In an interview with Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, Dr Rowan Williams said the Biblical creation stories do not belong in the same category as evolutionary theory.

Link