Vatican Defends Evolution Against Intelligent Design

In summary, the conversation discusses the recent reiteration of the Catholic Church's stance on the issue of Intelligent Design, stating that it is not a new concept and has been addressed by previous popes such as Pius XII and John Paul II. The conversation also mentions a cardinal's restatement of the Church's position to avoid being associated with fundamentalists. A link to a previous news report on the topic is also provided.
  • #1
revelator
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Here you go people :smile: :smile: :smile: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17162341-13762,00.html

*EDIT*oops.. meant Intelligent Design:shy:
 
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  • #2
This isn't exactly a new thing: it's more like a reiteration. At least as far back as 1950, the Church has taken a fairly nonchalant stance towards the issue. (That was when Pius XII claimed that there wasn't a conflict between Catholic teaching and evolution. He also acknowledged that it was a hypothesis which should be considered strongly.) John Paul II pretty much said the same thing in 1996, wherein he proclaimed that evolution was probably more than just a hypothesis, and that science should stay in the realm of science and religion should stay in the realm of religion.

I think that the cardinal restated the Church's position so that people wouldn't lump them in with the fundamentalists.
 
  • #3

FAQ: Vatican Defends Evolution Against Intelligent Design

What is the Vatican's stance on evolution and intelligent design?

The Vatican has stated that it fully accepts the scientific theory of evolution and sees no conflict between evolution and the belief in a creator. However, it also acknowledges that there may be room for divine intervention in the evolutionary process.

Why did the Vatican feel the need to defend evolution against intelligent design?

The Vatican believes that the theory of evolution is well-supported by scientific evidence and should not be dismissed or replaced by a religious explanation. It also wants to avoid any potential conflicts or misunderstandings between science and religion.

Is the Vatican completely opposed to intelligent design?

No, the Vatican does not reject intelligent design outright. It recognizes that it may be a valid philosophical or theological concept, but it does not see it as a scientific theory that can be tested or proven.

How does the Vatican reconcile evolution with the creation story in the Bible?

The Vatican does not see the creation story in the Bible as a literal account of how the world was created. It views it as a religious and spiritual text that conveys important truths, but not necessarily scientific facts. Therefore, it does not see a conflict between evolution and the creation story.

Does the Vatican's stance on evolution affect the Catholic Church's teachings on human origins?

Yes, the Vatican's acceptance of evolution has influenced the Catholic Church's teachings on human origins. It encourages Catholics to see the creation story as a metaphor and to embrace the scientific understanding of human evolution. However, it also upholds the belief that humans have a spiritual and moral dimension that sets them apart from other animals.

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