[Alex Murphy]

In an age of science and advanced technology, how are Catholics supposed to understand the Old Testament account of creation that says God created the heavens and earth in six days, and rested on the seventh? the pope asked. "The Bible isn't meant to be a manual of natural science," the pope told the estimated 5,000 visitors and pilgrims gathered for his audience. "Instead it is meant to make understandable the authentic and deep truth of all things," he said.

[Boogieman]

I don’t think that is really a intellectually consistent position. If Genesis is meant as a fairy tale, then that isn’t showing man love; it’s simply lying to us, which makes the Popes’ assertion that God did so self-contradictory and unbelievable.

[armydoc]

Alex, I’m no papal cheerleader but his statement approximates the “framework” view of the creation account which is considered acceptable in most Reformed circles. At least in this statement he doesn’t advocate heretical views such as macroevolution

[LearsFool]

No, the account of creation isn’t science - no more than any other eyewitness testimony is.

But then again, if science could answer all questions, they wouldn’t need ethics committees.

[count-your-change]

Benedict says God has a plan for mankind but the scientists he puts so much trust into to explain natural science say there is no plan, only random events that will eventually end in all life on earth being destroyed completely, utterly.

Benedict says all human life is under the protection of God. A fair question would be:
When did this protection start? With “Lucy” and what Nat. Geo. and scientists call the first humans?

“Instead it (the Bible) is meant to make understandable the authentic and deep truth of all things,” he said.”

But the very science Benedict relies on to explain nature and “all things” is in the spiritual darkness of atheism and yet claims truth for its self, all else being myth and credulity.

It’s a poor shepherd that leads thirsty sheep away from the water.

[DManA]

Strawman, feel the wrath of the fundamentalist Freepers.

[Zionist Conspirator]

If for no other reason than my blood pressure, I think I'm just going to avoid this thread. I'm not in the mood to deal with hypocrisy right now.

Thanks for the expose, though.

[winodog]

Genesis is more awesome then man can imagine. Science textbook and more.

Praise the Lord

[Just mythoughts]

Creation is the acts of GOD!!!! Science is flesh man’s lame attempt to explain the acts of GOD!!!!!

[redgolum]

So the Gospels are the same I suppose.

No need for Jesus to be the Christ, or rise from the dead. Anti science and all that.

[ek_hornbeck]

It ought to be self-evident that the story of Creation told in the Old Testament is meant as fable and allegory, not as history or as science. It was the best explanation for the way things happened that a bronze age pastoral society could come up with.

Those who insist that it's the literal truth have to discard much of astronomy, physics, geology, and biology to prop up their faith. It seems to me that any faith that requires one to bury one's head in the sand about facts and science is driven by fear and weakness, not by strength.

[allmendream]

God created the Heavens.

Was this a one time thing, or is the creation ongoing?

Are the stars forming right now through gravity and nuclear fusion any less created by God than our own?

Adam was created “from dust”. The Bible says that I was also created “from dust” and “to dust” I will return. I was also created via natural processes involving DNA.

Was my creation “from dust” less literal than the creation of Adam “from dust”?

[onedoug]

"And God said, "Let there be light: and there was light."

Well conceptualized then, and now.

[Varda]

“The Bible isn’t meant to be a manual of natural science”

The Pope is Catholic, news at eleven.