The Vatican Sides Up with Evolution
 

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THE Vatican has issued a stout defence of Charles Darwin, voicing strong criticism of Christian fundamentalists who reject his theory of evolution and interpret the biblical account of creation literally.
Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said the Genesis description of how God created the universe and Darwin's theory of evolution were "perfectly compatible" if the Bible were read correctly.

His statement was a clear attack on creationist campaigners in the US, who see evolution and the Genesis account as mutually exclusive.

"The fundamentalists want to give a scientific meaning to words that had no scientific aim," he said at a Vatican press conference. He said the real message in Genesis was that "the universe didn't make itself and had a creator".

This idea was part of theology, Cardinal Poupard emphasised, while the precise details of how creation and the development of the species came about belonged to a different realm - science. Cardinal Poupard said that it was important for Catholic believers to know how science saw things so as to "understand things better".

His statements were interpreted in Italy as a rejection of the "intelligent design" view, which says the universe is so complex that some higher being must have designed every detail.

I have wondered ever since I was old enough to understand the arguments between science and religion as to why they have always seemed to be mutually exclusive of each other. There are too many things in science that we know the "how" but not the "why". And there alot of things in religion that can be explained with science and archeology. Seems to me that if alot of people quit butting heads and put them together instead of playing polotics we might understand alot more about the world than we currently do.

Personally, I see great reason behind issuing such a statement invested in the matter of religious fantatics. I mean, it's fine to believe in something, but anything when taken to an extreme is harmful. I'm not a very religious person, although recently I've found myself wishing to pray, so I may further explore this desire. As for the origin of the earth and man, I don't feel that it's particularly relevant. Some origin stories just aren't relevant beyond a method of subduing curiosity. Nietzsche issued a good argument in support of origin stories in his On the Geneology of Morals.. but that's another matter entirely.

I think it's good to reduce the animosity existent between the two groups, as getting all ruffled up over such a matter isn't really worth it to anyone. Let people believe what they wish to believe. I don't see harm in that... I do see harm in people forcing their views into the minds of others, however.

I agree...

It is cool that the Catholics are opening their minds a little, but I still don't believe in evolution.

Did something happen to the world while I was asleep? I mean there are killer tornados in November, riots in France and now this. It's almost enough to blow my mind.

The end is soon for sure!

Finally, some sense. Very interesting.

That's one of the reasons I chose Catholicism. We're not afraid of science... at least not anymore. I thank Pope John Paul for that. I really don't like how a lot of the other denominations down here (bible belt) try to make you feel like a "bad Christian" for being Catholic or Orthodox, and a heretic for being a scientist, but that's another story.
I agree with everyone who's said that forcing ideas on other people is a horrible thing.

Those things of folklore that have been scientifically explained amaze me. I can believe anything (read Gaiman's American Gods). When folklore is profen I start thinking I might be right...ye gods!!

I mean, if I was god I wouldn't defy the natural laws I created myself too proof my existence!

I'm not a christian so don't take it that way.

What is your views on this topic?

I reckon the law is a kind of religion in its own right. Within a religion you would follow the rules. The same with law, you follow the rules in order not to be punished. If you abide by the law and follow a religion you would have two sets of rules to bide by.

As far as I'm concerned, science and religion does not mix. They should just stay away from each other.

i think the church changed its mind. i am a catholic, and i concerned about this problem about it. darwin is diffrent, he ends up confessing to the protestant church while god considered his theory. (god's version of creation is logic and not applied).

catholicism today know how to consider and reconsider its problems. from considering the heliocentric theory of copernicus to reconsidering communism of marx.