The pope and evolution... (priest, Darwin, creation, disciples, church)

[Faint]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/arti...0.html?cnn=yes

Headline writers (even TIME's) might be tempted to advertise a grudge match between the Holy Father and the high priest of natural selection. But look again. Our title promises the Pope AND Darwin, not the Pope VS. Darwin. Benedict XVI will indeed be hosting a scholarly pow wow this weekend at his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, to debate evolution and creation. But don't expect the Catholic Church to start disputing Darwin's basic findings, which Pope John Paul II in 1996 called "more than a hypothesis." Moreover, advocates of the teaching in U.S. schools of intelligent design — which holds that nature is so complex that it must be God's doing — should not count on any imminent Holy See document or papal pronouncement to help boost their cause. This weekend's private retreat is an annual gathering of the Pope's former theology students to freely discuss one topic of interest, without the aim of reaching any set conclusion.

Evolution appears to be very much on the pontiff's mind. It is a 'natural selection' of its own that this was the singular subject chosen by the Pope and his disciples for three days of lectures and discussion. Some conservative Catholics do indeed have growing doubts about the teaching of Darwin, which they say is now used to explain the very meaning of human existence. The issue of evolution has been on this pope's agenda from Day One, as Benedict proclaimed at his installation mass: "We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God."

What do you think?



Computer: $2100
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Beating Victor to the punch on a Catholic issue...priceless.

[Random]

The RC Church should oppose Darwinian naturalism and materialism, of course. They just don't want the Pope to start a war with Scientism that at present the Church would fare badly in, since arguing with Science is one sure way to be "outed" as an enemy of rationality and logic in the uncertain modern world.

I hope Benedict takes the whole thing apart and heats up the debate with a verbal blowtorch, but I can't see it happening. Good article, though.

[Victor]

I just really hope Ken Miller was invited. The guy is not only Catholic, but one of the leading cellular biologist.

He's written about Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church in his home page:
http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/

[Random]

Originally Posted by Victor

I just really hope Ken Miller was invited. The guy is not only Catholic, but one of the leading cellular biologist.

He's written about Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church in his home page:
http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/

Brilliant. It's heartwarming to think such open minds have recognized authority. Thanks for that, Victor.