Pope Francis accepts evolution and Big Bang theory, says God isn't a magician

[Landslide Lyndon]

So, I guess that leaves the Republican party as the last bastion of anti-scientism in the western world?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-declares-evolution-and-big-bang-theory-are-right-and-god-isnt-a-magician-with-a-magic-wand-9822514.html

The theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not “a magician with a magic wand”, Pope Francis has declared.

Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.

“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 added: “He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfilment.

[H. Ross Peron]

BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Pope reaffirms long-held Catholic teaching

[Modernity has failed us]

Pope Francis rules.

[DemPGH]

Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
 

No. But, this is the PONTIFICAL Academy of. . . Sciences.

Honestly, I'm glad he's interested. Christians need to hear that evolution is okay, I suppose.

[Person Man]

Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
 

No. But, this is the PONTIFICAL Academy of. . . Sciences.

Honestly, I'm glad he's interested. Christians need to hear that evolution is okay, I suppose.

Not just ok, but common sense...unless of course we discover magic one day.

[RI]

I'm don't get why this continues to surprise people.

Also, here's a better translation of what the Pope said:

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[King]

Catholicism has long held this view but it's important for the Pope to consistently affirm it. I know a few devout Catholics who have been fooled into doubt about evolution on religious reasons because of how loud Evangelical nitwits whine and assume that is also the position of the Church.

[DC Al Fine]

I swear its like the universities decided to ban Journalism majors from all History and Religious Studies classes.

[Rockefeller GOP]

Because all Republicans are creationists?  Right.

Definitely not worth its own topic.

[politicus]

BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Pope reaffirms long-held Catholic teaching

Indeed.

[Person Man]

BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Pope reaffirms long-held Catholic teaching

Indeed.

A lot of socon things are Evangelical-specific, some are based on other faiths and some socon things have universal support from traditionalists.

[pbrower2a]

Do you know what would make a big improvement in the American South?

Conversion to Catholicism.

[Person Man]

Do you know what would make a big improvement in the American South?

Conversion to Catholicism.

It should, but it probably wouldn't. Catholicism doesn't really seem to rub off on people the way the American Religious Right does. Then again, that's probably still good or at least would do nothing to make things worse. I will say that way Southerners and people in Southernized areas (such as Colorado Springs) think that Catholicism is a cult because it worships the pope or "too liberal".

[bore]

The news here is quite literally that the Pope is a Catholic.

[DemPGH]

Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
 

No. But, this is the PONTIFICAL Academy of. . . Sciences.

Honestly, I'm glad he's interested. Christians need to hear that evolution is okay, I suppose.

Not just ok, but common sense...unless of course we discover magic one day.

Yes, agreed. My point was kind of that the pope's statement is neither scientific nor an endorsement of science; it is a purely theological statement. Now having said that, I don't know what the theological ramifications of it are exactly - because it's not entirely consistent to me, so it sounds as though instead of God creating everything with his hands God initiated the Big Bang, which is a theological statement. In the end, I'm just glad the pope is interested because there are plenty of religionists and apologists who just aren't. Scientific reality is to them some annoying thing that has to be worked around.

Hawking once said that the more science finds out the less there is for God to have done, and I'm not sure what the pope would think of that.

[emailking]

So it sounds like he believes in God-guided evolution?

And there are plenty of Catholics who do not accept evolution so it's not trivial, even if it's been Church teaching for a while.

[The Mikado]

Is the Pope endorsing Monseigneur Georges Lemaître's Big Bang theory, the theory of universal creation postulated by a Catholic Priest at least partially in an attempt to harmonize science with the Christian view of Creation, really newsworthy?  The Big Bang is as Catholic an idea as transubstantiation.

[bore]

Is the Pope endorsing Monseigneur Georges Lemaître's Big Bang theory, the theory of universal creation postulated by a Catholic Priest at least partially in an attempt to harmonize science with the Christian view of Creation, really newsworthy?  The Big Bang is as Catholic an idea as transubstantiation.

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