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Zola

Zola

I am Zola.
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So the pope has come out and said that evolution and the big bang probably happened, and that "God isnt a magician with a magic wand".

Thoughts? I kind think fair play to him for having the nuts to say it.

But, whats his angle?

Do you think hes saying that to attempt to keep the church relevant in a modern world where churches have falling numbers and science is becoming ever more powerful and insightful?

Either way, there will be a bit of fall out from it I am sure.

 
Interesting thread.

My background is Protestant and, as a child, any mention of Catholicism provoked my Mother to say that it was mumbo-jumbo. But, to be fair to the present Pope, he does seem to be tackling some big issues head on. Respect to him for that. The Pope also seems to be as down to earth as it's possible for a Pope to be.

I agree with you Zola that his angle is to keep the church relevant and reflect the reality of a modern life where it is quite hard to adhere to all that a faith demands of one.

An interesting question is whether the Pope is ahead of the curve in terms of the extent to which his beliefs are shared by other senior clergy. i.e. is he pushing too far for some? The Pope's recent attempts to allow Communion to be offered to homosexuals and divorced people was defeated by other senior clergy.

 
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I'm no expert on the Bible, but does that statement not conflict with its version of events?

 
Science has evolved too far now to dismiss things such as the bang theory and even the age of Earth itself. 

The church needs to align itself more with the modern world or in time its going to be left behind for its archaic views on all things proven otherwise. 

 
I agree to an extent, but in the end of the day the big bang theory is simply a theory, science cannot prove whatever actually took place.

 
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Pope Francis will be remembered incredibly favourably if he keeps going like he is. He's revolutionised the Catholic Church and is incredibly liberal (for a Pope) in saying what he did about homosexuals and now evolution.

He may just be saying it to keep the church relevant as Spud says but I don't really think his reasons behind it matter. The fact that over a billion people share his religion and look up to him means that anything positive he says about something such as the homosexuality issue in Catholicism, is a positive thing for the world. Good on him.

 
Soulo said:
I agree to an extent, but in the end of the day the big bang theory is simply a theory, science cannot prove whatever actually took place.
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The big bang theory yes, evolution though is indisputable (in my opinion) and to argue against it makes you look foolish. 

 
It is about time he also admitted that Jose is the second coming

 
What? Not even intelligent design?

Everything this pope says and does is intended to make the catholic church stronger, and to prevent people from turning their backs to the church and its government. I'm not convinced he acts out of love for everyone who doesn't fit the catholic mould.

 
If he comes out and promotes contraception I'm getting the rosary beads out...

 
I love the big bang theory. Penny and Howard are my favourite characters

 
You dont like The Big Bang Theory?

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I like this Pope because he is a footie fan. He is a supporter of Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro in Argentina. Ever since Pope Francis has been in charge at the Vatican, the fortunes of the Club have changed. The club was facing relegation, but now they are Champions of South America. Some people are saying its divine intervention for the Club since it's the Pope's Favorite Team.

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Zola said:
So the pope has come out and said that evolution and the big bang probably happened, and that "God isnt a magician with a magic wand".

Thoughts? I kind think fair play to him for having the nuts to say it.

But, whats his angle?

Do you think hes saying that to attempt to keep the church relevant in a modern world where churches have falling numbers and science is becoming ever more powerful and insightful?

Either way, there will be a bit of fall out from it I am sure.
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Whether the world began with a magic wand, with a big bang or by evolution does not preclude the possibility of the process being set in motion by a divine being.  Once you suspend rational thought long enough to believe in an omnipotent, omniscient deity then the question of whether he created the world by abracadabra or by thinking it into life à la Aslan is just a matter of choice.

What I find breathtakingly, gobsmackingly hard to assimilate is the enormous number of people of all religions who can (it would seem) cheerfully accept that this omnipotent omniscient being has the vision to see all and the power to prevent suffering but chooses not to use it.

Fortunately housewifely tasks call me elsewhere, otherwise I could rant on for aeons.

 
Well he's right. I'll probably get shot down but religion, in my opinion, does not have a place in modern society. I'm aware it gives people comfort and can lead to them leading a better life but it also causes wars and conflicts.

"Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion, too."

Simple words, significant meaning. I don't even like The Beatles/John Lennon.

 
Well said Moi, do rant in this thread when it suits, it makes for interesting discussion :)

 
Fantastic thought provoking thread. Has anyone mentioned John Polkinghorne? If they have thank you, if not please do read him. (Feeling a little under the weather due to Drogba being my man crush and having celebrated that, otherwise I'd be more aware of who has posted what; time for a nap.)

 
Gem said:
Well he's right. I'll probably get shot down but religion, in my opinion, does not have a place in modern society. I'm aware it gives people comfort and can lead to them leading a better life but it also causes wars and conflicts.

"Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion, too."

Simple words, significant meaning. I don't even like The Beatles/John Lennon.
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I'm not trying to shoot you down but I'd argue that most wars tend to be over territory or political power and very rarely over religion in the modern word, so I also like the bit where he says "imagine there's no countries"...

 
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