Did you know this about Catholicism?

[gigglesnort]

That the Catholic Church supports the teaching of evolution? The Vatican also had a response, but forgive me, I can't find the link.

Just food for thought, as I thought a lot of people wouldn't know that.

 

[Deb in IA]

Interesting.


Just went to our DD's school conference. Her World History teacher was showing a video on early African cultures, and stated, "I don't teach evolution. I don't believe in it. I believe we were made by our Creator in His image."

 

[gigglesnort]

Interesting.


Just went to our DD's school conference. Her World History teacher was showing a video on early African cultures, and stated, "I don't teach evolution. I don't believe in it. I believe we were made by our Creator in His image."

That may be the teacher's opinion, but if you read up on it, the Church is not against science. But they do believe it is God's plan. Sooo, evolution happened, but it is part of God's plan...know what I mean? Theology and Science go together. We aren't meant to take Genesis literally.

 

[kidzmom3]

yes, catholics do believe in evolution.

in fact "It is in perfect agreement with the Christian conception of the universe; for Scripture does not tell us in what form the present species of plants and of animals were originally created by God. As early as 1877 Knabenbauer stated "that there is no objection, so far as faith is concerned, to assuming the descent of all plant and animal species from a few types" (Stimmen aus Maria Laach, XIII, p. 72)."

but, we do believe that the soul of humans is different

"The Christian theory of evolution also demands a creative act for the origin of the human soul, since the soul cannot have its origin in matter."

 

[Disney Doll]

I read a very good article a while back about Catholicism and evolution. I really wish I could remember where I read it or who wrote it, but I do remember the "jist" of it being that when the Bible says "On the first day" and so on, we humans think 24 hour day, but really, a "day" in God's time could be thousands or even millions of years. Therefore, each day of creation could span enough time to actually be evolution.

I thought it was an interesting theory.

 

[Puffy2]

Catholics also do not believe in the "infalliablity" of the Bible. They recognize it as a collection of literature, history, poety, ect... - that is "inspired" by God, but written by men. Tradition (which existed before the Bible) holds as much or more weight for the Catholic Church.

 

[gigglesnort]

I'm always surprised that some people didn't know Catholics are Christian!

Thanks for the replies, I just imagine there are many people who assume that Catholics don't believe in evolution. I know Catholics don't read the Bible as a literal book, but more as a guide...probably not the right word, but you know what I'm saying.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Is it just me, or do all these posts seem...well...uh...REASONABLE? Very refreshing. Thanks, OP!

 

[tmt martins]

You know the orgin of BIBLE is

B asic
I nstructions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

 

[Aidensmom]

I remember being told by my second grade teacher, a nun, that the 7-day creation of the earth story was symbolic, that a day to God is not the same as a day to us, and therefore evolution was possible. That was 30 years ago. I was also taught evolution in my high school biology class, in a Catholic school.

 

[Laura]

It is amazing what people think about Catholics. I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic school for a while, and it never occurred to me to ever doubt evolution was a fact and that Genesis wasn't literal. I was taught that the creation story was an allegory, a way to show that God created the world put in terms people could understand.

Funny how people think all Christians think the same things.

 

[gigglesnort]

It is amazing what people think about Catholics. I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic school for a while, and it never occurred to me to ever doubt evolution was a fact and that Genesis wasn't literal. I was taught that the creation story was an allegory, a way to show that God created the world put in terms people could understand.

Funny how people think all Christians think the same things.

I agree, that's why I posted this.

 

[Crankyshank]

It is amazing what people think about Catholics. I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic school for a while, and it never occurred to me to ever doubt evolution was a fact and that Genesis wasn't literal. I was taught that the creation story was an allegory, a way to show that God created the world put in terms people could understand.

Funny how people think all Christians think the same things.

I went to Catholic school my whole life and this is what I was taught. I even had a nun that taught me AP biology in high school

 

[helenabear]

Considering we were taught about it in school (yes, Catholic schooling) I kind of figured it was okay.

It never seemed impossible to have Evolution AND Creationism (or even big bang theory)... God just controls it all

As others said, Genesis was more symbolic. Or that the days could have been marks in time, not literal days at least.

Deb, that honestly sounds like she is a minority there with what she said about it. Sad though, using her personal thoughts to dictate what is being taught instead of teaching what is considered "good" by the rest of the Catholics. I'd seriously complain to a principal about that!

 

[Doug123]

Just went to our DD's school conference. Her World History teacher was showing a video on early African cultures, and stated, "I don't teach evolution. I don't believe in it. I believe we were made by our Creator in His image."

In a public school?

 

[golfgal]

I have had discussions with people about how literal the Bible is or not. One friend is convinced that the earth is only 4000 years old because her pastor added up all the dates in the Bible and that is how old the earth is. I asked her to explain how that could be when we had written history dating back further then that and she just said that they are wrong because her pastor told her that (I am not quite sure which "religion" she is-it is what I call a "strip-mall church").

I never once questioned the validity of evolution. I always felt that God created earth and we have evolved over the years. We can see "proof" of how people evolved even in our own lifetimes-look at how much taller people are these days then even in our grandparents generation.

I can't believe the total evolutionists however, that life formed because of freak weather conditions brought together just the right amount of elements and life started. There had to be some divine intervention otherwise why don't we have 6 genders instead of just two. How can life work so perfectly without some overall grand plan? How can two cells come together and form a life, human or otherwise? Why do you sweat when you are hot and shiver when you are cold. I just can't see these things all happening by chance.