Pope and christians?

Question

Christians most of you follow the popes word. Like he is infallable, I read it some were dont remeber any ways. Pope John Paul the second consideredt accepting theory of evolution. Lets say one day a new guy becomes pope and declares theory of evolution is right and church sticks by it. Would you choose to believe in it to? why and why not?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Just to clarify, it isn't Christians as a whole that follow the pope, it is the Catholics that have the pope at the head of their church. Of course, Catholics are by far the largest # of Christians.. But I don't think that's what you meant when you asked it.

Anyway.. just clarifying the fact that it is only the group of Christians that are "Catholics" that would follow the pope.

Answer 3

I am Christian and already believe in the theory of evolution. The Pope isnt the first.

Answer 4

The Pope is not infallible. This is a fallacy. He is infallible as far as doctrine as long as he lives, only. He cannot run the church like a tyrant, however, he is still subject to a Church Council.

Answer 5

He did not say he accepted fully the theory but some parts may have validation. I think what people tend to forget is when God made man, he took dirt to do it, well, apes, giraffes, birds, they were all still dirt to God so if he took an ape and made a man it is still taking dirt and making a man to God. If we made a clay rabbit and decided we wanted to make a squirrel out of that rabbit, we wouldn't say we made the squirrel from a rabbit, we would still say we made the squirrel from clay. So I can see some form of evolution being valid and still not discrediting creation.

Answer 6

No, most christians do not follow the pope's words. Roman catholics follow the pope. Eastern orthodox and all protestant faiths do not pay any attention to the pope.

Answer 7

The Pope also prayed to Mary for his salvation, I have no intention of following that or any other doctrine that Is a not in the bible {KJV}
Evolution is a fact, but it depends on what you mean by it.
Man was created, he did not evolve over time from apes or anything else.
Spend some time in the bible [KJV] and you would not have these questions. The answers are there, go find them. You can use a good study bible [KJV] to assist you.
Remember only the scripture is inspired, not any comments...

Answer 8

Not 'most', just Catholics. And most of them accept evolution as the most likely explanation.

Answer 9

Those christians that beleive the Pope are Catholic christians, not all christians....

Answer 10

I think You are wrong, I am a devote Christian,I worship God, I follow Jesus. I call no man father.