Pope Francis on Monday (Oct. 27) waded into the controversial debate over the origins of human life, saying the big bang theory did not contradict the role of a divine creator, but even required it.
The pope was addressing the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which gathered at the Vatican to discuss “Evolving Concepts of Nature.”
“When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,” Francis said.
“He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfillment.”
“God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life,” the pope said. “Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.”
Unlike much of evangelical Protestantism in the U.S., Catholic teaching traditionally has not been at odds with evolution. In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed there was no opposition between evolution and Catholic doctrine. In 1996, St. John Paul II endorsed Pius’ statement.
Now see there is still some magical think there, but it does not interfere with the understanding of science, or our ability to see the world as it is rather than as faith demands that it be seen.
So that's something at least.
Now if only Catholicism could move into the 21st Century in regards to abortion, women's rights, and birth control there might actually be a chance for it to survive into the 22nd Century.
Frankie continues to give me hope for the Catholic Church, maybe even enough to make me consider returning to the fold . . . someday.
ReplyDeleteCan I hear an A M E N brother!
ReplyDeleteLove Pope Francis and President Obama! Two very intelligent men with love in their hearts and souls!
ReplyDeleteI concur, 2:40. I love that Pope Francis is having this conversation, and I only could wish for respectful dialog between disagreeing parties, so that the conversation can be continued. I am an atheist who sees the baby steps being taken towards Reason, and I understand that the Church is not just going to pack up and cease to exist; nor should it. But it does help when Pope Francis shows the way of love, compassion, and open-hearted-ness; rather than the judgemental aprobium that media-portrayed church folk seem to dispense.
DeleteAnd Mr. Obama is all I could want in a President; faults and all; even when I don't agree with his policies.
I am grateful that they are our leaders.
3:01 PM I am 2:40 PM and also am an atheist, but was raised Catholic. Love your thoughts and agree totally!
DeleteIf only gawd WAS a magician and make this person disappear? She is AT it AGAIN! Political pole dancing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/tv/sarah-palin-haters-cant-stop-me-from-running-for-office-again/
in full Whiner mode BTW "
Sarah Palin: ‘Haters’ Can’t Stop Me from Running for Office Again"
Bless her BLACK heart!
She goin' to bug the crap out of US? Did SHE SAY that?
We get to MOCK her HILLBILLY FAMILY!
The PIMP ex Husband
The creepy ass 'Warrior" son
the abstinence queen that is a slut
And she has the nerve to talk about the politics of destruction, who is the one who wants to smash anyone who talks against her or "mocks" her or BARSTOOL!
She is GAGGING. Kocks drop a house on her.
That bitch isn't going anywhere unless she has a certified copy of Trig's birth certificate and a DNA test.
DeleteI double dog dare Skankerbell to run. Please. Make my day!
DeleteSigh…I look forward to the day when this site can go back to back to its original purpose and life without Palin.
DeleteJust because he wears really nice robes and funny hats doesn't make him smarter or wiser than you. He's still a superstitious old man that believes bullshit.
ReplyDeleteLooks like this pope wants to get suiceded with 3 bullets in the back of the head. Wouldn't be the first time for the RCC.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are the one with the itchy trigger finger. Calm down there Rasputin.
DeleteAnonymous2:55 PM
DeleteLooks like this pope wants to get suiceded with 3 bullets in the back of the head. Wouldn't be the first time for the RCC.
***
G I hate when ppl tell blog owners what to do on their own blogs but seriously this comment @2:55 needs to be reported.
Whomever made this comment is a sick violent person.
@ 4:52
DeleteWhy should he be reported? He is only stating an opinion that correlates well with history.
Now, if he had said he WAS going to try it, or that it NEEDS to be done, that's different!
I do have to admit, however, that I know of none of the popes who was wiped out with a bullet to the head. The murders were usually more ...circumspect.
I'm not saying someone should do it or that i'd do it, get some reading comprehension. The catholic church has done worse over the years, a dead pope wouldn't be far out of their reach.
DeleteFINALLY -- a Pope you can sit down and smoke a J with!
ReplyDeleteI like Pope Francis. He is concerned for the poor and rails against corporate greed. He sure beats Franklin Graham his buddy Sarah who are both wolves in sheep's clothing.
ReplyDeleteCaroll Thompson3:03 PM
DeleteI like Pope Francis. He is concerned for the poor and rails against corporate greed. He sure beats Franklin Graham his buddy Sarah who are both wolves in sheep's clothing.
***
Agreed Carol. I like him also....and I'm not religious, but I like him.
Your title, SP thinks he/she is. She is high. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhy does every topic have to have someone mention that idiot?
DeleteI have to admit that as a former altar boy and recovering catholic, this pope is a pretty flippin cool dude, not perfect but quite progressive.
ReplyDeleteFirst the statement from the Vatican that the discovery of extraterrestial life would not be incompatible with the existence of god. Now the statement that the Big Bang and Evolution are real. It sounds like the Vatican knows something, that the public knowledge is coming soon, and that they are preparing for it.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of extraterrestials tinkering with our evolution in the distant past, is not impossible.
You nailed it.
DeleteWhy else did they build one of the largest observatories on the planet quite a few years ago? They needed a heads up as to when their gig will be over!
JJ
The have a space telescope at the Vatican and one on Mt. Graham in Tucson.
DeleteThe message is also carefully worded... God is not a magician waving a magic wand, but someone who created US (not the world) and then left us to nature.
DeleteAnonymous3:11 PM
DeleteFirst the statement from the Vatican that the discovery of extraterrestial life would not be incompatible with the existence of god. Now the statement that the Big Bang and Evolution are real. It sounds like the Vatican knows something, that the public knowledge is coming soon, and that they are preparing for it.
***
That is a very interesting observation.
Zechariah Sechin (sp) wrote tons of books with
passages from the bible that seemed to support this theory.
"and the sons of god came down and layed with the daughters of man" stuff like that.
Not to mention the Enki & Enil. (been awhile since I read his stuff) Also the "Ark" how it could of been DNA of all the animals rather than the animals themselves. As well as "alien" DNA that most of us have.
Yes I like this pope he is thinking "outside" the box and he does care for the poor, calls out the fakers (like palin and HER ILK) I like him!
Yes, yes, yes... oh and btw, yes...
DeleteTime to Awaken
Anonymous5:01 PM
DeleteYes, Sitchin's work is very interesting. I think it takes some leaps but overall very interesting. There has been quite a bit of criticism of his interpretations/translations of the Sumerian texts, among other things. I take it all with a giant grain of salt, but think there may be some possibility.
I can't help but think this pope is the PR guy (like any large corporation) and the real business is taking place behind the scenes. Don't look behind the curtain.
ReplyDeleteConservatives to call for impeachment of the Pope in 3, 2, 1...
ReplyDeleteI do worry that he might contract a "serious illness" and die suddenly. The power and money guys in scarlet robes aren't pleased with his leniency and openness.
ReplyDeleteOh ya, like Albino Luciani did. They murdered him when he tried to bring the church into the twentieth century.
DeletePope John-Paul I, for those not familiar with the name.
Marketing The Creator as The Original and Ultimate Magician is EXACTLY how most religions sell their respective "Old Man Living In The Sky".
ReplyDeleteIf Roman Catholicism sticks to the current Pope's admission that "it's all a bunch of hooey" (forgive my lack of quotidian precision and my total misuse of the word "quotidian", also too), I will wager $10,000,000 that there will be fewer than 500 catholics in the world by the end of the century even tho I most likely won't be alive by then and $10,000,000 won't buy more than a 2 day supply of Soylent Green.
Oh, and by the way....
SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!!!!!
Has he been called the antichrist yet? 'Cause ya know that is coming.
ReplyDeleteI wept when I read this. I'm not a Catholic, I'm not religious, but I do believe in love...I believe that god IS love. So, yes, lots to be done regarding women, birth control, patriarchy...but baby steps? The pendulum always seems to swing slowing from one extreme to the other. I just want it to end up in a loving place in my life time.
ReplyDeleteWith love from an old woman in Georgia US
beth, it's the nature of penduli never to stop. It's what separates them from the 'motionless objects hanging from string". So, while it's virtually impossible to remain in any one place in your lifetime or anyone else's, remain ever vigilant and be prepared to celebrate when it does pass thru a loving place.
DeleteOnly Foucault's
Deletebjc5:10 PM
DeleteCongratulations. I am in awe. You are the first person I have ever seen use correct plural form of pendulum. Some Latin in your past?
"Some Latin in your past?"
DeleteActually, yes. Mostly tango, rumba and some cha-cha-cha. Plus a bit of macarena, if I let my guard down.
Religion aside, I felt the same way about John Paul the first as I do for Francis. The church will never change, so I'm kind of worried for Francis, especially with the old german pope following his every step. My advice to Francis? Hire your own protection and mix them in with the ones in PJ's of the Swiss Guard. Just Sayin'
ReplyDeleteOK, now ask him about abiogenesis. A bit stickier wicket fr Creator gods, methinks.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, the Pope's statement is carefully worded to allow for that, should proof arise. He does not say god created the universe, or all life, he says god created humans.
DeletePope Francis has a master's in chemistry. Don't underestimate him, or the church.
Delete"Now if only Catholicism could move into the 21st century..."
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd even settle for the 20th! ;-)
It's not for nothing that he chose St. Francis of Assisi as his namesake.
ReplyDeleteSmarter than the average bear, which is why he's the spiritual leader of a billion+ of earth's inhabitants.
Pax et bonum--easier said than done, but worth trying regardless
Actually, Pope Francis stated: "L'evoluzione nella natura non contrasta con la nozione di Creazione, perchè l'evoluzione presuppone la creazione degli esseri che si evolvono= Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because the development requires the creation of beings that evolve". I don't think the Pope by 'evolution' here meant 'evolution of man from monkeys' but rather his focus was on human development: 'l'evoluzione presuppone la creazione degli esseri che si evolvono". Right? Next, the Pope stated: " Quando leggiamo nella Genesi il racconto della Creazione rischiamo di immaginare che Dio sia stato un mago, con tanto di bacchetta magica in grado di fare tutte le cose. Ma non è così. Egli ha creato gli esseri e li ha lasciati sviluppare secondo le leggi interne che Lui ha dato ad ognuno, perché si sviluppassero, perché arrivassero alla propria pienezza= When we read in the Genesis account of Creation we are in danger of imagining that God was a magician, complete with a magic wand that can do all things. But he does not. He created beings and let them develop in accordance with the internal laws that He has given to each one....". Here again, I think the misunderstood Pope was focusing on the 'evolving nature' of the human development and not on the so-called Darwinian evolution of men from some imaginary fake anthropoid ancestors! I don't think the Pope, in his message, has discredited BIBLICAL CREATION TRUTH (http://christianreading.com/jmartins/) given to us in Genesis 1 nor did he say we should not take Genesis account of creation literally. Anyway, the reader can check for himself by reading the whole text of the Pope's original Message in Italian by visiting: http://www.avvenire.it/.../Big-Bang-non-contraddice...
ReplyDelete