..but since you brought it up, let's shed a little light on the catholic position...
First, it's no secret that evolution is taught in almost all catholic schools, yet the say the bible is their authority (along with church tradition). Unfortunately, the bible and evolution are mutually exclusive and here's why (logic is a wonderful thing!):
1. IF evolution is true, then Genesis must be allegorical;
2. If Adam and Eve are allegories, then they were not real people;
3. IF they were not real people, then they could not have sonned against God;
4. If they did not sin against God, then there is no original sin;
5. If there is no original sin, then there is no sin period.
6. If there is no sin, there is no need for a Savior;
7. If there is no need for a Savior, then Jesus Christ and His atonement are also no necessary;
8. If there is no sin and no need for Christ, why do catholics go to confession every Sunday?
Inquiring minds want to know.
You were doing really good up until this non-sequitur.
"I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do. And I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God."
Just a little ditty we Catholics say at Mass ...
1. It tells of man's inherently sinful condition and of the incredibly destructive power of Sin. Despite the fact that Adam and Eve are living in paradise, free from need, they still throw away all that for sin. Those teenage mothers you see shopping in the mall wonder on a daily basis why they threw away their virginity--and consequently their freedom & career & education--just for a few minutes of pleasure. That's the way we are--sinful beings in need of God.
2. It sets a healthy living pattern for man. Work six days and rest for one day.
3. There is also the historic context. Genesis was written around the time of Assyrian/Babylonian religions. In those religions, the world was seen as a bad thing--an evil creation that resulted from a god's murdered corpse. Instead, Genesis says that all of the world is God's creation and that it is GOOD.
4. Do you take all of Revelations literally? If not, why do you consider taking the more fantastic part of Genesis to be parables or allegories more of a sin than not taking Revelations--or Jesus' parables--literally?
Got to run now, but hopefully that answered a few of your questions about how some Christians can reconcile evolution with the Bible...
If I were you I wouldn't worry about Catholics just yet. I'd worry about believing in a God that holds the sins of two individuals against the billions of offspring who come later ... if you are worried about irrational belief systems ...
The existence of a real Adam and a real Eve is regarded as a necessary logical inference from the doctrine from Tradition of Original Sin. Catholics are also required to believe in "Creation from nothing." Other than that, the Catholic Church doesn't hold as doctrine any scientific position regarding human origins. Science and Faith/Morals are separate categories.
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Some people NEED to believe. --Some don't.
If you really had an inquiring mind, this truth would be self evident.
See my post above. The Catholic position has been totally misrepresented by the atheists. You should not fall into the trap of believing the theological spoutings of non-believers.