Vatican Agrees with Darwin

[guardian001]

Well, it's now official. The Vatican has admitted that Darwin was on the right track with the theory of evolution, and has stated that Evolutionary theory is compatible with Christian beliefs, even though it would appear to conflict with the book of Genesis. Although the church never officially rejected evolutionary theory, it was common for people to reject evolution on the basis that it contradicted the Bible.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5705331.ece

I think it's good that the church is seeing fit to go out and say that the bible is not meant to be interpreted literally. Of course, there's still a good chance that people who rejected evolution based on the Bible will continue to do so, but it's good to see that the Vatican is willing not to take the bible literally, even if the some of the congregation will continue to do so.

 

[Merciless.Fire]

In your face Inquisition?

 

[stormcaller]

Oh god(hehe)... spineless,absolutely spineless. Am I the only one seeing what's happening here? (well if you don't then: Growing number number of Atheists with Evolution being one of the main reasons, way to solve the problem? fix your beliefs until it works with them the church has been doing this sort of thing ever since ancient times (Christmas anyone?))

On that note I guess it is kind of good that they can adapt to popular times and all, so good on them for finding a loop-hole.

 

[Baby Tea]

Well the Vatican only really speaks for the Catholics, not Christianity as a whole. So many 'evangelicals' will still stand by their creationism worldview.

As a Christian, I don't see the big deal, really. I don't think it matters....but I won't turn this thread into a theological discussion. It's an interesting read, for sure.

 

[Jindrak]

It's what every religion does when confronted by Science, they change their view and say "Well, with this interpretation of our beliefs, we knew it all along!"
Though does this mean I have to stop using the "Fossils were put in place by the devil to test your faith" punchline to rest?

 

[Doug]

... even though it would appear to conflict with the book of Genesis. Although the church never officially rejected evolutionary theory, it was common for people to reject evolution on the basis that it contradicted the Bible...

Only if you read genesis as the exact and literal truth. Or if you want to convince a cult of followers not to question the loop holes in a pseudo-Christian cult-beliefs. Which is why alot of people are tricked into rejecting science "because it goes against god"

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

It's never really been the Catholic Way to consider the Bible as 100% Infallable, some of the great saints of old interpreted the thing, so evidently it's open to some scrutiny and consideration.

I'm not suprised. You just erase "natural selection" and fill in "god" and Evolution is compatible with Christian theology.

 

[MSORPG pl4y3r]

I like it when things like this go on, sciance and religon advancing and acepting each other, it means a little less conflict in the world. I'm just waiting for a philosopher to say "science IS god", thats what I came up with when I put thought into it alothough I liked it better when ppl still thought magic did it all.

 

[JWAN]

where did you hear that one?

 

[Baneat]

Owned lol is this why Darwin stamps are being printed in the UK?

 

[JWAN]

It's what every religion does when confronted by Science, they change their view and say "Well, with this interpretation of our beliefs, we knew it all along!"
Though does this mean I have to stop using the "Fossils were put in place by the devil to test your faith" punchline to rest?

where did you hear that one?

 

[Baneat]

It's what every religion does when confronted by Science, they change their view and say "Well, with this interpretation of our beliefs, we knew it all along!"
Though does this mean I have to stop using the "Fossils were put in place by the devil to test your faith" punchline to rest?

where did you hear that one?

Apart from accepting Darwin, seems like the only other real option there instead of just turning a blind eye to them. GG Catholics, you're only about 150 years behind the others..

 

[Jenny Creed]

The new pope seems to be a cunning politician, or he has some on staff. This is very similar to a speech of his I recall where he endorses Islam, talking about the importance of understanding and respecting different religions.

I like it. It feels like the church is getting on with the times.

 

[bjj hero]

The vatican decides that not all the bible is fact. Now you have to figure out which bits ARE fact and which is just story telling?

Personally I think the whole Jesus bit was made up but take Lots story as fact...

Lot lived in the unfortunately named town of sodom. 2 angels visited his house and the natives of sodom were a bad lot a bit like the residents of Newcastle-on-Tyne. They insisted that Lot send out these two angels so a gang of the locals could "know" them (rape).

Lot being a couragous unpstanding member of the community said he wouldnt but instead -wait for it- offered to send out his virgin daughters for rape. And you wonder why society is sexist? Western societies values are based on Christianity.

In the end no one gets to "know" anyone and these angels tell Lot and his family to leave because God is going to nuke the city, the Americans didnt give anyone at Hiroshima the same curtesy.

Theyve been told not to look back as they leave Sodom but Lots wife does (you would, its the best fire works show in written history and fireworks havent bee ninvented yet) and That Spitful petty deity obviously hasnt racked up enough frags nuking Sodom so he turns Lots wife into salt... for looking over her shoulder. Not big on forgiveness or rehab huh?

The vatican is famous for back tracking. Like when the pope decided purgatory didnt exist anymore, just like that.

 

[axia777]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy

Good for the Vatican. Even though I really still think they suck for the most part at least they know the Truth when they see it.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Yawn, if anything is nót important, it's the Vatican's opinion about this. It's science, I couldn't give a rats ass if the Vatican supports Darwin or not. Science stands on it's own.

PS: The Vatican takes the liberty to say that evolutionary theory and evolution (2 different things yes) isn't against Christian teachings. Little change should be made, not against THERE Christian teachings, they're not the only Christian faction out there. It's only not in conflict with there interpretation, wich changes all the time.

The vatican is famous for back tracking. Like when the pope decided purgatory didnt exist anymore, just like that.

Yea I find that really funny, apperantly it was real for centuries. But because the Pope doesn't like it POOF it doesn't exist anymore. People thinking they can decide what reality is and not, epic level of failure.

 

[Grand_Poohbah]

The Vatican can decide what it wants. I'll believe what I want.

 

[Aardvark]

I'm pretty sure the Church took one look at the kinds of people who espouse Creation and decided that the godless atheists might have a point.

 

[Crudler]

The new pope seems to be a cunning politician.

Well that's only because he looks so much like Emperor Palpatine, chances are that he may actually be the Emperor.

But really though, I'm not really sure how to see this news. I'm not religious but it seems to me that they're accepting something else but I always saw Catholicism to be quite strict in its beliefs, seems just like they're conforming for want of a better word.

 

[Baneat]

The new pope seems to be a cunning politician.

Well that's only because he looks so much like Emperor Palpatine, chances are that he may actually be the Emperor.

But really though, I'm not really sure how to see this news. I'm not religious but it seems to me that they're accepting something else but I always saw Catholicism to be quite strict in its beliefs, seems just like they're conforming for want of a better word.

We need Luke Skywalker here to fix this mess it would seem.