Can you convert to the Catholic faith and still believe in creationism?

[Malia_Belen]

I’m thinking about converting to the Catholic faith but I read in a book that most Catholics believe in evolution. I’ve also seen a few posts on here in the past that seem to kind of make fun of the Protestant belief in creationism. So I guess I have two questions. Can one convert to the Catholic faith and believe in creationism and also if the answer is yes to that question are creation believers kind of ostracized because of this belief?

Thanks for reading.

 

[ByzCath08]

What book are you reading that says that?

The Church does not teach evolution; God created the world and everything in it…end of story.

 

[buffalo]

Catholics believe in truth.

Here are some of the dogma’s of the Church:

1. 
   *]The first man was created by God. (De fide.)
   *] The whole human race stems from one single human pair. (Sent. certa.)
   *] Man consists of two essential parts–a material body and a spiritual soul. (De fide.)
   *] The rational soul is per se the essential form of the body. (De fide.)
   *] Every human being possesses an individual soul. (De fide.)
   *] Every individual soul was immediately created out of nothing by God. (Sent. Certa.)
   *] A creature has the capacity to receive supernatural gifts. (Sent. communis.)
   *] The Supernatural presupposes Nature. (Sent communis.)
   *] God has conferred on man a supernatural Destiny. (De fide.)
   *] Our first parents, before the Fall, were endowed with sanctifying grace. (De fide.)
   *] The donum rectitudinis or integritatis in the narrower sense, i.e., the freedom from irregular desire. (Sent. fidei proxima.)
   *] The donum immortalitatis, i.e., bodily immortality. (De fide.)
   *] The donum impassibilitatis, i.e., the freedom from suffering. (Sent. communis.)
   *] The donum scientiae, i.e., a knowledge of natural and supernatural truths infused by God. (Sent. communis.)
   *] Adam received sanctifying grace not merely for himself, but for all his posterity. (Sent. certa.)
   *] Our first parents in paradise sinned grievously through transgression of the Divine probationary commandment. (De fide.)
   *] Through the sin our first parents lost sanctifying grace and provoked the anger and the indignation of God. (De fide.)
   *] Our first parents became subject to death and to the dominion of the Devil. (De fide.) D788.
   *] Adam’s sin is transmitted to his posterity, not by imitation, but by descent. (De fide.)
   *] Original Sin consists in the deprivation of grace caused by the free act of sin committed by the head of the race. (Sent. communis.)
   *] Original sin is transmitted by natural generation. (De fide.)
   *] In the state of original sin man is deprived of sanctifying grace and all that this implies, as well as of the preternatural gifts of integrity. (De fide in regard to Sanctifying Grace and the Donum Immortalitatus. D788 et seq.)
   *] Souls who depart this life in the state of original sin are excluded from the Beatific Vision of God. (De fide.)

 

[Malia_Belen]

What book are you reading that says that?

The Church does not teach evolution; God created the world and everything in it…end of story.

Catholic Beliefs and Traditions Ancient and Ever New by Rev. John F. O’Grady…pg. 207 paragraph 2. I found it at the library.

 

[Wampa]

Malie, the Church does not mandate any particular belief on this topic and you will find faithful Catholics believing both extremes and everything in the middle.

That said, I think it is true that the majority of Catholics believe in evolution in some form. The creationist stance (especially that of Young Earth Creationists), while dominant is fundamentalist Protestant circles, is probably in the minority among Catholics. I’ll find you an authoritative citation on what the Church teaches.

As to whether or not creationists are ostracized, I guess that totally depends on where you hang out. In some Catholic circles, I’m sure they are. In others, definitely not.

 

[buffalo]

Catholic Beliefs and Traditions Ancient and Ever New by Rev. John F. O’Grady…pg. 207 paragraph 2. I found it at the library.

Neo- Darwinism is out.
Materialism is out.
Pure chance is out.
Polygenism is out.

Micro-evolution (adaptation) is and has been understood for a very long time, that living things change.

 

[brotherhrolf]

I am a cradle Catholic. I grew up before Vatican II. I went to Catholic schools from 1956 - 1969. I grew up in the 50s looking at dinosaurs. Creation and evolution were discussed in high school. I have degrees in anthropology which means that I have been exposed to evolution most of my life.

I am a theistic evolutionist. God is the supreme being who created all things. I have seen the evidence of God creating through the archaeolgical record and the biological record. I believe that the Hebrews were given a creation story that they could understand. What is a day to an infinite being?

But this is where we get into trouble. I was never taught that Genesis was literal - even before Vatican II. That God created the world was never, ever in doubt. But God gave us minds to understand Him and to follow Him across Creation.

This is my testimony. I have no doubt that God created the universe. The older I live and the more scientific discoveries that are published…wow! As Tielhard de Chardin (a Jesuit scientist) said “Something is afoot in the universe”. Indeed.

There is one thing that anthropologists/archaeologists cannot explain that intrigues me. We have fossil records of humans before 50,000 BC. No sign of art, religion, etc. Suddenly around 50,000 BC art appears. Cave art. Lasceaux.

I don’t have to believe in a literal Adam and Eve. I see the finger of God in His creation. There is an explosion of culture after 50,000 BC. Fiat lux! Fiat lux aeterna!

Malia…God created us. God created the universe. God gave us brains to use. I’m sorry, I’m not going to buy into a middle eastern creation myth as being literal history. God did create this wonderful, astounding, universe. And he gave us brains to use. Leave all things you have and come and follow me.

I would be unfaithful to the brothers and sisters who taught me with all those lovely Time-LIfe dinosaur books back in 1958. Evolution as an example of following the Creator. Yes, indeed.

 

[buffalo]

Also, faith and reason cannot be opposed for they both from God.

 

[buffalo]

I am a cradle Catholic. I grew up before Vatican II. I went to Catholic schools from 1956 - 1969. I grew up in the 50s looking at dinosaurs. Creation and evolution were discussed in high school. I have degrees in anthropology which means that I have been exposed to evolution most of my life.

I am a theistic evolutionist. God is the supreme being who created all things. I have seen the evidence of God creating through the archaeolgical record and the biological record. I believe that the Hebrews were given a creation story that they could understand. What is a day to an infinite being?

But this is where we get into trouble. I was never taught that Genesis was literal - even before Vatican II. That God created the world was never, ever in doubt. But God gave us minds to understand Him and to follow Him across Creation.

This is my testimony. I have no doubt that God created the universe. The older I live and the more scientific discoveries that are published…wow! As Tielhard de Chardin (a Jesuit scientist) said “Something is afoot in the universe”. Indeed.

There is one thing that anthropologists/archaeologists cannot explain that intrigues me. We have fossil records of humans before 50,000 BC. No sign of art, religion, etc. Suddenly around 50,000 BC art appears. Cave art. Lasceaux.

I don’t have to believe in a literal Adam and Eve. I see the finger of God in His creation. There is an explosion of culture after 50,000 BC. Fiat lux! Fiat lux aeterna!

Malia…God created us. God created the universe. God gave us brains to use. I’m sorry, I’m not going to buy into a middle eastern creation myth as being literal history. God did create this wonderful, astounding, universe. And he gave us brains to use. Leave all things you have and come and follow me.

I would be unfaithful to the brothers and sisters who taught me with all those lovely Time-LIfe dinosaur books back in 1958. Evolution as an example of following the Creator. Yes, indeed.

Oh boy- here we go again, another debate. Why don’t we stick to official Church teachings?

 

[Wampa]

Especially since the OP is asking what the Church teaches and what beliefs the Church allows. Posting our own feelings on the topic is unhelpful and likely to lead this thread into the typical creation vs. evolution battle, which will not at all answer the OP’s question.

 

[brotherhrolf]

Oh boy- here we go again, another debate. Why don’t we stick to official Church teachings?

And does that mean that I who went to Catholic schools from 1956 - 1969 is suspect because I am an anthropologist? The burden of proof is upon you. Frankly, I am incredulous that I could have grown up before Vatican II…Please show me where I am wrong or that I was taught wrongly.

Excuse me. Show we where I have diverged from official church teachings?

 

[Luke65]

I’m thinking about converting to the Catholic faith but I read in a book that most Catholics believe in evolution.

Most “Catholics” don’t go to Mass on Sundays either, all the more reason the Church needs you!

I’ve also seen a few posts on here in the past that seem to kind of make fun of the Protestant belief in creationism.

Well, if you’ve only seen a few, I should warn you it happens on almost every related thread.

So I guess I have two questions. Can one convert to the Catholic faith and believe in creationism and also if the answer is yes to that question are creation believers kind of ostracized because of this belief?

Yes, and praise Jesus!

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” (Matthew 5:11)

If people insult you because you believe Jesus, the Word of God, when He said He created the universe in six days, it is indeed a blessing. :yup:

Thanks for reading.

Thanks for posting, and may God bless your journey.

 

[brotherhrolf]

I’m sorry this is just insane. I grew up before Vatican II. I had Time-Life and Bell Science modules in my Catholic classroom. My whole life has been formed by HMC. I know for an absolute fact that I am not saying anthing contrary to HMC. Sheesh. What a bunch of taruine foecal matter.

 

[Malia_Belen]

Especially since the OP is asking what the Church teaches and what beliefs the Church allows. Posting our own feelings on the topic is unhelpful and likely to lead this thread into the typical creation vs. evolution battle, which will not at all answer the OP’s question.

Thank you. I’m not here to start a debate and I’m not here so that I can be convinced that evolution is the right way to go. I don’t even begrudge anyone’s belief in evolution beginning with God. I’m simply trying to find out what the church’s teachings are and how do Catholics feel towards believers in creationism. That’s all. So please just let me know now if there is some sort of hidden expected belief that if you are Catholic then you believe in evolution or most people will just think you are not intelligent because you believe God cable of making the world in 6 days because that’s the kind of the feeling I get from some (and sometimes it seems) many people.

 

[buffalo]

And does that mean that I who went to Catholic schools from 1956 - 1969 is suspect because I am an anthropologist? The burden of proof is upon you. Frankly, I am incredulous that I could have grown up before Vatican II…Please show me where I am wrong or that I was taught wrongly.

Excuse me. Show we where I have diverged from official church teachings?

We could start here:

1. 
   *]The first man was created by God. (De fide.)
   *] The whole human race stems from one single human pair. (Sent. certa.)

 

[buffalo]

Adam and Eve were historical persons

 

[Cluny]

You are free to believe in either creationism or evolution, as long as you believe the God is ultimately behind it.

 

[Luke65]

Malia…God created us. God created the universe. God gave us brains to use.

And of course, we creationists don’t use our brains since we don’t believe in Evolution.

I’m sorry, I’m not going to buy into a middle eastern creation myth as being literal history.

That’s the Word of God you’re talking about.

God did create this wonderful, astounding, universe. And he gave us brains to use. Leave all things you have and come and follow me.

I would be unfaithful to the brothers and sisters who taught me with all those lovely Time-LIfe dinosaur books back in 1958. Evolution as an example of following the Creator. Yes, indeed.

Well, that whole, “Leave all things you have and come and follow me”, didn’t last long. Is that how you use your brain, contradicting yourself in successive sentences?

Please show me where I am wrong or that I was taught wrongly.

Excuse me. Show we where I have diverged from official church teachings?

Since you asked…

I don’t have to believe in a literal Adam and Eve.

That’s a heresy.

 

[Wampa]

Malia, it appears this thread will derail quickly, because people seem intent on fighting this battle (already fought 100s of time on this site) here.

So, I’ll just leave you with a link that I think you will find enlightening. A very good description of how the Church’s attitude towards evolution has evolved (pun intended ) and where it stands now.

Evolution and the Magisterium by Jimmy Akin
catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0401bt.asp

But bottom-line, you are not required to believe either side and the Church leaves room for each person’s judgment on the issue. I do think you’ll find it a bit of an annoyance to be in the minority and you’ll surely encounter uncharitable folks on this issue, but that’s true of any issue. And I think this stuff only tends to matter on sites like this anyway.

 

[scottywolf777]

The Cathechism of the Catholic church gives us the definition of it all in Para 279-298
found at this link:
vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p4.htm
since you probably don’t have a copy of the companion to the CCC these two non-biblical references may also interest you:

vat council I (1870) DS 3026 If anyone shall have said that the one true God,Our Creator and Our Lord, cannot beknown with certitude by those thing which have been made, by the natural light of human reason, then let him be anathema.

Council of Florence (1441)DS 1333 Most strongly it believes, professes,and declares that the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the creator of all things visible and invisible who when He wished, out of His goodness created all creatures spiritual as well as corporeal: good indeed, since they were made by the highest good, but changeable, since they were made from nothing, and it asserts that nature is not evil, since all nature, in so far as it is nature is good.

The most important thing in all of this is that GOD CREATED THE WORLD how He did it is His business. If you want to believe it took 50 Million years fine, if you believe in six days this also is fine. How long was a day? So both viewpoints are correct. Even if one accepts the Big bang (which was postulated by a priest i recently learned here. Who set off the bang? GOD