Catholics: (POLL) Do you accept evolution?

  • Thread starter Thread starter catholic1seeks
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
From my perspective as fresh out of university, I see the un-scientific approach of some Christians (Creationists) as the factor driving young people away from the Christian faith. Especially here in America, where Fundamentalists and Evangelicals hold sway and represent the face of Christianity.
 
Last edited:
Man-made ideas make God totally unnecessary. It’s in the secular bible - the Biology textbook.
 
catholic1seeks said:
Did he know anything about modern science? I suspect he assumed the Earth was the center of the cosmos, too. Oh, and I doubted he knew the content of stars, or that a few other continents existed.
Click to expand...
But then we must hold that all proper exegesis is dependent not upon the inerrency of the Holy Spirit but rather upon the “approval” of Science and therefore must hold as questionable any doctrine or dogma until it has been shown that the messenger in question is “scientifically aware.”

Taken to its logical conclusion, we must then hold that the Virgin Birth, the Feeding of the Thousands, and the Resurrection itself are all questionable because the Apostles did not have modern scientific methods or understandings and so could not have known that these are all scientifically impossible.
 
Well said. No scientist was there to find out he could explain none of it.
 
April29 said:
research and discussions . . . take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter
Click to expand...
Exactly. He does not forbid research and discussions into the question. But what is occurring now in this thread and all throughout the Catholic Church is a slavish belief in the Darwinian answer. I have repeatedly said that we are allowed to research and discuss the question. We are not, however, allowed to accept answers that contradict Scripture.
 
Probably. But like I said, from my perspective, I see it all the time.

I could ask any non-church going friend of mine what they think of Christianity, and “anti-Science” would probably be at the top of their list.
 
Last edited:
Again, really? That’s a relatively small sample to work from. I always loved science, especially applied science, but this… speculative speculation.
 
Exactly. He does not forbid research and discussions into the question. But what is occurring now in this thread and all throughout the Catholic Church is a slavish belief in the Darwinian answer.
Click to expand...
The Popes allowing research and discussion about evolution only makes sense if they also ALLOW acceptance of its description and findings.
 
Really @edwest211? It was you and @buffalo talking about how evolution drives Catholics away from the faith.

In response, I’m merely observing the exact opposite.
 
That’s really the crux of the issue. Are Catholics allowed to believe in “evolution”? It depends entirely on what they mean by “evolution” and whether or not their belief supplants or replaces their belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and the Divine Guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are given more leeway into researching the question, simply because it is necessary sometimes that the Christian Man might assume certain “false” positions in order to gain an understanding of the truth. Like Aquinas playing “devil’s advocate” and providing arguments from the other side in order to show how they are wrong.

Are we allowed to believe the doctrines of Luther and Calvin? Of course not. Are we allowed to research the doctrines of Luther and Calvin so as to better understand them and our own faith? Of course. Permission for the latter should not be taken as permission for the former.
 
I have repeatedly said that we are allowed to research and discuss the question. We are not, however, allowed to accept answers that contradict Scripture.
Click to expand...
No one on here wants to contradict scripture…
 
Oh no… that’s not right. The Church gets the last word, not men.

“36. For these reasons the Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God. However, this must be done in such a way that the reasons for both opinions, that is, those favorable and those unfavorable to evolution, be weighed and judged with the necessary seriousness, moderation and measure, and provided that all are prepared to submit to the judgment of the Church, to whom Christ has given the mission of interpreting authentically the Sacred Scriptures and of defending the dogmas of faith.[11]”
 
catholic1seeks said:
The Popes allowing research and discussion about evolution only makes sense if they also ALLOW acceptance of its description and findings.
Click to expand...
That is absolutely false. As I said, we are allowed to research the doctrines of Lutheranism. We are not, however, allowed to accept (give belief in) Lutheran doctrines that contradict Scripture and Tradition.
catholic1seeks said:
No one on here wants to contradict scripture…
Click to expand...
What they want is irrelevant. It is what they do that matters.
 
Oh no… that’s not right. The Church gets the last word, not men.
Click to expand...
And what does that have to do with evolution or this current discussion?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top