Why does the Pope himself think it absurd that people question evolution?

Question

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19956961/

Pope: Creation vs. evolution clas an 'absurdity'
Benedict XVI also says humans must listen to ‘the voice of the Earth’
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 1:55 p.m. CT July 25, 2007

“They are presented as alternatives that exclude each other,” the pope said. “This clash is an absurdity because on one hand there is much scientific proof in favor of evolution, which appears as a reality that we must see and which enriches our understanding of life and being as such.”


He said evolution did not answer all the questions: “Above all it does not answer the great philosophical question, ‘Where does everything come from?’”

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

He said it was absurd because creation and evolution are two different approaches of understanding how life came about. Creation comes from faith while the theory of evolution is from a scientific approach. It is impossible to say which one is right. Therefore, it is absurd. That is how I understand the Papal Statement.

There is really no conflict. To "create" means to put and keep something in existence. God is Creator because He puts and sustains everything in existence. He is the maker and final goal of everything that exists, all things visible and invisible.

The truth of creation means that God's loving creativity builds into each of us a meaning, purpose and destiny which nothing can take away from us.

Does the Genesis account of creation contradict the scientific theory of evolution? No. In affirming that God is the ultimate cause of all that exists, Genesis gives its ultimate meaning and purpose - "Why" the world exists. It does not explain "how" the physical world came to be in its present condition, which the theory of evolution tries to explain.

The Catholic Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. However, it says that, if they did develop, then they did so under the impetus and guidance of God, and their ultimate creation must be ascribed to him.

Concerning human evolution, the Church has a more definite teaching. It allows for the possibility that man's body developed from previous biological forms, under God's guidance, but it insists on the special creation of his soul.

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 3

since he's a theologian i doubt that it's because he's examined the evidence himself. probably it's because he's been advised by scientists who have examined the evidence (as opposed to "creation scientists"). those people know that debate over whether or not evolution has occured really is absurd.

he goes a bit off the rails with ‘Where does everything come from?’. evolution was never intended to answer that question. there is a reason darwin wrote 'origin of the species' and not 'origin of everything'.

Answer 4

ok this new pope screwed a lot of things first hand...he called the Prophet Muhammed the source of all evils...i mean what level of stupidity forced this holy looking person to utter such a cheap statement...anyways...he is already a disgrace to a Christian image...which preaces global religious tolerance right???

Answer 5

Evolution is a proven science. The pope soulds like he is getting smarter.

Answer 6

No, he thinks its absurd that evolution and creation should be mutually exclusive and cannot be true together.

Answer 7

He was doing fine until the "Where does everything come from" part. But, if he gives that up, who will pay for his luxurious lifestyle?

Answer 8

I don't know. The Pope has no sway over my life so he can say what he wants.

Answer 9

After reading you question it, seems your real beef lies with the big bang theory.

Answer 10

Because that's his personal opinion? I don't see where you're going with this.