The Independent reports that Pope Francis, speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, has declared that the theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real.
“When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,” said Francis.
“He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfillment."
Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
“The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it. Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.”
Experts say the Pope's comments put an end to the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI who spoke out against taking Darwin too far.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Sir Garlon on Wednesday October 29 2014, @12:32AM
I've heard the Anglican/Episcopal Church described as Catholic Lite -- all the ceremony, 1/3 the guilt! (Though if you want ceremony Russian Orthodox is the front runner of Christian denominations.)
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 2) by cykros on Wednesday October 29 2014, @01:38PM
It's hard to feel guilty when the guy who founded the church you're at is best known for murdering a bunch of wives before finally leaving the church because he had the audacity to divorce one without killing her...
Helps that they don't do confession, or have the doctrine of purgatory, and really don't demand much out of the congregation other than money in the plate and that you stand up and sit down about 10 times in the hour or so you're at the service. Think of it like a really slow version of jazzercise with morose organ music.
(Score: 2) by JeanCroix on Wednesday October 29 2014, @02:19PM
With the value of "or so" being 90 to 105 minutes for certain congregations. I came to believe the slo-mo calisthenics were to keep folks from snoozing.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 30 2014, @11:23PM
Henry VIII didn't murder a bunch of wives, it was two, which is a couple, but not enough to amount to a bunch, and he didn't murder them, he had them killed (not quite the same thing). He divorced two of his wives, one died naturally (IIRC during childbirth) and the other survived him.