2007-05-27 03:28:14 · 9 answers · asked by dan6 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Catholic Church does not take the stories of creation in the Bible literally. Catholics believe the book of Genesis tells religious truth and not necessarily historical fact.
One of the religious truths is that God created everything and declared all was good.
Catholics can believe in the theory of evolution. Or not. The Church does not require belief in evolution.
On August 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII said in his encyclical Humani generis:
The Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God.
Here is the complete encyclical: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html
The Church supports science in the discovery of God's creation. At this time, the theory of evolution is the most logical scientific explanation. However tomorrow someone may come up with a better idea.
As long as we believe that God started the whole thing, both the Bible and modern science can live in harmony.
With love in Christ.
2007-05-27 15:27:36 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible, like all religious books, is mythology, not reality. Dinosaurs existed at least 65 million years ago, as demonstrated by unarguable objective evidence. We know this is true because there are many different and independent lines of evidence which all agree. It's inconceivable that they could all be wrong by the same amount and in the same direction.
2007-05-27 10:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What is your question? The world is obviously not 10,000 years old...as some people suggest. I think the world of science and the world of religion should partner up. Sound crazy? Not really, if science can clarify the symbolism in our religious text, I think everyone can benefit on a better understanding of who we are. Science does not exclude the existence of a higher power and religion does not exlcude the scientific facts. I think through both, more understanding can be made on who we are and where we are going. They shouldn't be mutually exclusive, IMHO.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-05-27 10:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The bible is 5000ish years old, but that does not mean anything? History books being printed this week talk of things 1000 years ago, no big deal?
2007-05-27 10:34:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is not necessarily the history of the world as much as it is the history of God attempting to offer reconciliation between Himself and mankind.
It could also be looked upon as the history of the Jewish people.
2007-05-27 10:41:18 · answer #5 · answered by drg5609 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And you believe everything you see and hear on TV? IN that case, you should know that NYC was almos tblown up in an atomic explosion, but a newly-elected congressman flew in at the last second and whisked away the bomb (which happened to be his brother) to the edge of space, where, we believe, he exploded harmlessly
2007-05-27 10:45:11 · answer #6 · answered by †Lawrence R† 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dinosaurs were around even further back than that. Think 100 -65 million years or so.
2007-05-27 10:35:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Umm.... only one million? Hon, they're 150 million years old. They died out 65 million years ago.
The bible is wrong.
2007-05-27 10:43:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The TV lied.
2007-05-27 10:33:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋