I will have to admit that I did not see this one coming. Pope Francis has just thrown his vote in for science as opposed to creationism or intelligent design according to an article in the Independent.
The theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not “a magician with a magic wand”, Pope Francis has declared. Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
“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,” Francis said.
He added: “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.
“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.”
My father was a physicist and a Christian. He and I would often talk about this very thing the creation of the universe and evolution of man. According to my Dad's beliefs the primordial atom existed and that is where he believed God came in. It had to come from somewhere. It is what I believe also.
Already the screams of blasphemy are being heard against the Pope. I've got my popcorn ready to sit back and watch the right wing heads explode as once again Pope Francis attacks their sacred cows. From his "who am I to judge" on gays, to unbridled capitalism is wrong, to redistribute the wealth, and care for the poor, he continues to throw out Progressive values. Let the right wing circus begin.
11:12 AM PT: Update: I was born and raised Catholic. I am well aware of the official position of the Church. I am also well aware that people like Bill Donahue and The Catholic League are strongly anti-science and very vocal in trying to bully Catholics into going backwards in time. Their financial influence is strong with the Church. Pope Benedict and others did give the appearance of trying to walk back some of the Church's positions regarding evolution and science. I felt it was important that Pope Francis is strongly reputing this anti-science bias from the right wing of the Church and hence the diary.