Changes

'''Catholic views on Creationism''' have undergone change over time.  [[Roman Catholicism]], along with most branches of [[Christianity]], generally accepted a literal interpretation of creation is presented in the [[Book of Genesis]] in the [[Bible]] throughout most of its history.  In more recent times however, based upon viewing increased scientific thought and discovery, the position of a literal reading of Genesis became less important.

'''Catholic views on Creationism''' have undergone change over time.  [[Roman Catholicism]], along with most branches of [[Christianity]], generally accepted a literal interpretation of creation is presented in the [[Book of Genesis]] in the [[Bible]] throughout most of its history.  In more recent times however, based upon viewing increased scientific thought and discovery, the position of a literal reading of Genesis became less important.

By the middle of the twentieth century, [[Pope Pius XII]] took the position that the [[theory of evolution]] did not go against Church teachings.  This view was reaffirmed by Pope [[John Paul II]] who went even further in 1996 when he noted that the theory of evolution is "more than a hypothesis" and that "truth cannot contradict truth," meaning that science and a belief in God can harmoniously coexist. <ref>http://webs.mn.catholic.edu.au/physics/emery/creationism.htm</ref>  

By the middle of the twentieth century, [[Pope Pius XII]] took the position that the [[theory of evolution]] did not go against Church teachings.  This view was reaffirmed by Pope [[John Paul II]] who went even further in 1996 when he noted that the theory of evolution is "more than a hypothesis" and that "truth cannot contradict truth," meaning that science and a belief in God can harmoniously coexist. <ref>http://webs.mn.catholic.edu.au/physics/emery/creationism.htm</ref>  

According to the director of the [[Vatican]] observatory, Father George V. Coyne, a Catholic and a conservative theistic scientist, the theory of [[Intelligent Design]] as stated literally by [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth]] or [[Old Earth Creationist]]s belittles the power of God to nurture a Creation over a long period of time, such as that indicated by secular science and liberal atheist scientists. Coyne agrees with John Paul's statement that evolution is a "fundamental church teaching" and should be treated as such. <ref>http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18503</ref>

 

According to the director of the [[Vatican]] observatory, Father George V. Coyne, a Catholic and a theistic scientist, the theory of [[Intelligent Design]] belittles the power of God to nurture a Creation over a long period of time carefully groomed and watched by God continuously. Coyne agrees with John Paul's statement that evolution is a "fundamental church teaching" and should be treated as such.  The view of Coyne in rejecting Intelligent Design is not universal in Catholicism.  For instance, the Cardinal archbishop of Vienna has spoken out in support of Intelligent Design.  The Vatican itself has never taken an official position on the issue.<ref>http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18503</ref>

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