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Religion, science and public policy

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:26:00 -0600

Almost half of Americans believe the evolutionary science is incompatible with religious teachings -- how this impacts issues like global warming.

Joseph

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:42:57 -0600

As a Catholic parent, I would like to bring your attention to some magisterial Catholic statements on the subjects of science and faith.... and how cutting edge science says "No" to evolution."

Partial quote:
What Does The Catholic Church Teach about Origins?
- Genesis does not contain purified myths. (Pontifical Biblical Commission 1909)
- Genesis contains real history—it gives an account of things that really happened. (Pius XII) . . .
- St. Peter and Christ Himself in the New Testament confirmed the global Flood of Noah. It covered all the then high mountains and destroyed all land dwelling creatures except eight human beings and all kinds of non-human creatures aboard the Ark (Unam Sanctam, 1302) . . .
- Evolution must not be taught as fact, but instead the pros and cons of evolution must be taught. (Pius XII, Humani Generis). . .

What Does Cutting-Edge Science Teach about Origins?
- Molecules-to-man evolutionism violates the Law of Biogenesis: Life does not come from non-life.
- The specific complexity of genetic information in the genome does not increase spontaneously. Therefore, there is no natural process whereby reptiles can turn into birds, land mammals into whales, or chimpanzees into human beings. . . .
- Many worldwide natural processes indicate an age for the earth of 10,000 years or less. These include population kinetics, influx of radiocarbon into earth’s atmosphere, absence of meteorites from the geologic column, and decay of earth’s magnetic field. . . .
- There is no gradualism in the fossil record, no intermediate types.

For the full article, see:
What Does The Catholic Church Teach about Origins?
What Does Cutting- Edge Science Teach about Origins?
http://www.kolbecenter.org/church_teaches.htm

See also:
Genesis 1-11
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis1-11&version=NIV
the global Flood of Noah
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis6-11&version=NIV

Arv Edgeworth

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:55:18 -0600

The theory of evolution is based on the philosophical worldview of scientific naturalism. People believe it, not because the evidence supports it, but because the only alternative is somebody made it.

Most do not understand nor properly apply the scientific method today. In testing an hypothesis we look for ways to prove it wrong, not for evidence to support it, which is what the majority of evolution research consists of today.

The Bible can absolutely be looked to for scientific information. Many scientific discoveries would have happened much sooner if scientists would have looked to the Bible first, and correctly interpreted it. For example: Isaiah 40:22 clearly indicates that the earth is round, not flat. Ocean currents, the water cycle, the types of flesh, etc. are all revealed in scripture.

Everything comes down to whether the Bible can be taken literally, if you also apply common sense and reasoning in the process. Matthew Maury, the father of oceanography said: "The Bible is true and science is true, and therefore each, if truly read, but proves the truth of the other."

The list of scientists with at least a P.h.D. in their field, who have rejected Darwinian evolution for scientific reasons, is over 700 and growing at about 4 signatures per week. They believe it is so flawed it cannot be repaired.

BEO

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:37 -0600

The debate over whether evolution occurred is no longer discussed within the larger scientific community. The evidence is clear and overwhelming and more is uncovered daily. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that supports the 6,000 year old earth or the "poof" theory of mankind's introduction onto the earth. The Bible was not written by man as a science book or a historical text. It was a book of stories used to pass on beliefs and lessons pertaining the unknown and God. As for the Global Flood of Noah. How would they have confirmed that the entire earth was covered with water at one time? There was no internet, telephone or any way of circumnavigating the globe to verify coverage world wide at that time. At best the most that could be reported on would be the immediate vicinity. There are so many flaws and holes in Biblical accuracy that it has to be taken from a philosophical standpoint. Throughout mankind, humans have clung tightly to traditional beliefs in face of overwhelming contradictory evidence so it is not surprising that it is happening now. Over time society and its beliefs will slowly accept the new information that exists and let go of the ancient beliefs that are proven to be inaccurate and misunderstood. There is a growing groundswell of people who are learning how liberating it is to think for themselves rather than have following ancient outdated dogma. Once man sheds the need to answer some of life's more interesting questions with stories of magic and the supernatural and replaces a fear of the afterlife with a love of life in the here and now, then it becomes possible to revel in the wonders of God with an open heart and mind and to obtain "heaven" in your current life.

james smith

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:25:18 -0600

The mythology of the bible was constructed by many scribes who differed in the meaning of the original Greek. The scribes were addressing an illiterate world caught up in ancient mysticism handed down from the Far East. The scientific method requires data for conclusions. So far, there is no data on people rising from the dead nor virgin births and many more pacifying thoughts attributed to the Bible as soothing explanations of ancient folklore and magical events contained in the oral folklore. The 'Theory of Evolution" becomes more credible every time additional forms of life are discovered and, in fact, created from non-organic compounds. There is no competition between folklore and mysticism and natural science. The Bible is a novel created by many authors who did not agree on its meaning from the Greek- the masters of mythology. The source of morality arguments for the Bible also have no validity. Human morality existed long before the Bible, and exists in primate animals as shown by SCIENTISTS.

RickK

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:12:18 -0600

Signed by over 12,000 Christian Clergy:

"We the undersigned, Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as "one theory among others" is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children. We believe that among God’s good gifts are human minds capable of critical thought and that the failure to fully employ this gift is a rejection of the will of our Creator."

The complete statement and the full list of 12,000 signers, with names and church affiliations, is found here:
http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/Christian_Clergy/ChrClergyLtr.htm

Anyone rejecting evolution for Christian religious reasons should contact one or more of the people on the above list and have a talk.

Arv Edgeworth

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:20:49 -0600

For those of you that believe that evolution is true, the Bible is mythological, or you can combine the two, you are wrong, but you are welcome to have that opinion.

There is an abundance of scientific evidence that the earth is young, and that the rock layers and fossils were formed by a worldwide flood.

For the clergy that signed the statement accepting evolution, there are hundreds of scientists with at least a Ph.D in their field that have rejected Darwinism for scientific reasons. But you are certainly welcome to compromise the Word of God if you like. It isn't the healthiest thing to do, nor the wisest. Eternity is a long time to be wrong.

The Bible indicates that God spoke the universe into existence from nothing. I just don't believe "nothing" can do it by itself without help. But you are welcome to hold that opinion. Just don't call it science.

MC

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:07:57 -0600

"Anyone rejecting evolution for Christian religious reasons should contact one or more of the people on the above list and have a talk."

True. Someone needs to correct them.

J-see Hay-skee

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:43:35 -0600

It's a simple matter of yea, or nay, living in the now. Devout believers are in direct conflict to the steps that mankind must take in order to coexist with other organisms of this planet. We have fallen well behind pace of sustainability and matters will continue to get worse until there is acceptance and popularity in the merit of science.