I will agree that this post has gotten a little ridiculous, maybe even a little scandalous. I’ve witnessed a little too much venom in some of these posts to befit good Catholic brethren. There are a couple Church teachings that I don’t like much myself, but I wouldn’t dare stray from her on account of some of *my *opinions.
Now, to my knowledge, there is no official, dogmatic, authoritative teaching come down yet from the infallible chair of St. Peter in regards to the theory of evolution. But, the pope has indeed said that the theory of evolution (even in respect to man) is not contrary to Catholic teaching, as long as we do believe that at some point in history there was an Adam and an Eve.
The Book of Genesis is amazing on many different levels. I don’t agree with all the latest historical-critical understandings of it, but I do believe that the truth of our creation is told in a very mysterious way in Genesis. For example, the proof is rather evident that the “days” (the first seven, in particular) were a little longer than 24 hours. That, and so many other things in there, are unfortunately picked apart and misunderstood too often. As advanced as science has become in our present day, we still don’t understand but a small fraction of God’s creation. We must remember that the Bible, nonetheless inspired by the Holy Spirit, was first passed down verbally, then written, by men. Those who wrote the Book of Genesis had less scientific understanding than my eight-year old child. And, what they did understand was perceived in a very different way than we do today. Facts and data were less important to them. Even if we disagree with some sciences, we can’t help but see things in a more scientific way today.
That said, no matter how many people try to use science and scientific theories to disprove our faith, that does not mean that science is contrary to our faith or the Church. Darwin’s observations are valid, just as Galileo’s observations were. What is contrary to the faith are some of the conclusions drawn from such observations. We can’t deny evidence of something real when it is put before us. That kind of reaction has only helped to bring us where we are today in the public eye. We open ourselves up to intellectual criticism and mockery. We are perceived as superstitious and reactionary. That can lead too many souls away from the Church where they belong. We should want rather to study and understand these things in a way that seeks God as its end, to understand Him better by observing His creation in relation to the truth revealed in Sacred Scripture.
Of course there are those who will attempt to use science to discredit the word of God, just as the devil used Sacred Scripture himself to tempt our Lord in the desert by adding his own spin on it. So, I say, don’t deny the theory of evolution. It’s fairly proven in many respects. But, the conclusions of those that deny God as our creator on the basis of evolution… woe to them, the poor fools.
Jesus tells us how our Father cares for even the birds (Lk 12:24), that he feeds them, in particular. It doesn’t say *how *he feeds them. I’ve never run across any divine looking feeding dishes in my journies thru the woods. Who can say that the evolution of a creature to better feed itself is not one of the many ways that God cares for them? Our planet has gone thru many natural changes in its long life… why is it so hard to believe that creatures can’t undergo changes to better survive?
I feel I’ve written too much. Mostly, I wanted to remind some of you folks to speak to one another a little more lovingly. I also hope I have helped the person with the original question a little bit. Like the answer to so many questions, this is a mystery.
So you won’t listen to Catholics that tell you that the theory of evolution may contain some scientific truth but you’re more than happy to listen to atheists who tell you that evolution and faith are incompatible?