(in case it wasn't clear enough, he believes it ridiculous to deny evolution, and irresponsible to ignore climate change, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19956961/ )
Atheists, do you want his help (given his reputation)? Christians, do you believe he's going to hell?... Everyone else, opinions?...
2007-07-26 10:46:35 · 22 answers · asked by yelxeH 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Michelle R:
I have heard such claims about people who actually support the scientific consensus in the past... I'd assume they'd be consistent for the pope for these people.
2007-07-26 10:52:51 · update #1
direct quote of JP II:
"those who believe the Bible is the literal word of god are committing intellectual suicide":
2007-07-26 10:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Well, believe it or not the Catholic church isn't that backwards at all. In the 90's (if memory serves) the previous pope defined heaven and hell as "states of being" rather than actual places. Unfortunately they're bringing back exorcism training for their clergy (because believers wanted exorcism and the Vatican wants to deliver). But it really doesn't surprise me that the pope said this. I'm obviously not Catholic, nor do I think everything Pope says is the gospel - but I think he's right to steer Catholicism this way and I think perhaps the science-hating Christians could learn a thing or two from the pope.
2007-07-26 17:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I applaud him for these statements. I don't agree with a lot of what the new Pope has said, but on this, I do agree. I am very happy to see that religion and science can peacefully coexist. I think it is very easy for someone to believe both evolution and in a supernatural creator as long as you don't take the Bible literally. As far as the climate change issue goes, I also agree. I think all people, no matter their beliefs, should take an interest in protecting the environment for the sake of future generations. We only have one earth.
2007-07-26 17:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I want his help. The Earth needs all the help it can get as far as climate change. Evolution also could use some help in the US but most of the rest of the world already agrees with the pope.
While the pope's Nazi past is in no way forgivable (at least to an Atheist - christians might be more willing to forgive) or forgettable, that doesn't change the fact that in this case he is on the side of right.
I wonder how many of the fundamentalists who will fulminate about this also disagree with a prior pope's statement that Galileo was right and the bible was wrong?
2007-07-26 17:49:14 · answer #4 · answered by Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why would he be going to hell? What because he acknowledged evolution? That's not new. The Catholic church has acknowledged that for awhile now. His statements are not out of line because so many people ask him for his opinion all of the time. He's a leader of not only a religion, but also of a country so I'm not surprised that he, along with other International leaders, have spoken out about the climate change crisis.
2007-07-26 17:50:42 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle R 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The Catholic church has had a long standing history of accepting much of what Darwin said, and it was a Catholic Abbott who founded Genetics and established some of the first scientific proofs for evolution.
The issue has always been Creation by God, not by Random chance.
2007-07-26 18:12:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist I am happy to join with people of a variety of beliefs on issues that I also feel are important and true. I love it when we can focus on the views we share and work together on something for a change!
2007-07-26 17:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by Zen Pirate 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, he happens to be right, but all too often Popes speak on things they have no credentials on -- like birth control...
The Pope has no qualifications on evolution or climatology, but at least in these cases, he defers to people who do.
I don't want his "help" per se, but if he can persuade people to address climate change, all the better. That is the most serious problem in the world right now.
2007-07-26 17:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
The pope certainly isn't going to Hell. That is an insane idea. His views on environmental and scientific matters do NOT affect his relationship with God. And by the way, evolution is fallible.
2007-07-26 17:51:14 · answer #9 · answered by Lance F 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
why would he be going to hell for speaking his mo=ind on something he was asked. this is him speaking as himself, not on behalf of the Rcc. i liked this quote though:
“We all see that today man can destroy the foundation of his existence, his Earth,” he said in a closed door meeting....
“We cannot simply do what we want with this Earth of ours, with what has been entrusted to us,” said the pope....
he's abssolutely correct - he's speaking as someone who respects the gift we were given - life and a great planet on whch to live. when we destroy the planet we destroy ourselves!
2007-07-26 17:53:31 · answer #10 · answered by Marysia 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He helped religion by saying science and religion can coexist peacefully, and Christians shouldn't be fighting, or be afraid of fact. For that I thank the Pope
2007-07-26 17:49:20 · answer #11 · answered by Obi-Wan 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋