The theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not “a magician with a magic wand”, Pope Francis has declared.Up until those last half dozen words, I was completely cool with Il papa argentino. But let's set them aside and talk about the faith-based scientifically illiterate folks here in the USA. What are they to make of the fact that Pope Francis did not declare evolution "just a theory"? What are they to make of the fact that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church did not appeal to the secular authorities to "teach the controversy" in order to nudge Intelligent Design into the public school curriculum?
Speaking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope made comments which experts said put an end to the “pseudo theories” of creationism and intelligent design that some argue were encouraged by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Francis explained that both scientific theories were not incompatible with the existence of a creator – arguing instead that they “require it”.
My guess is that they'll call him a communist who doesn't understand The Bible like they do.
Which is probably what they'll do when they read this:
Pope Francis delivered an off-the-cuff, mini-encyclical on the rights of the poor, the injustices of unemployment, and the need for environmental protection Tuesday, saying he's not preaching communism but the Gospel.Truly a communist, see?
Francis' remarks to the World Meeting of Popular Movements, delivered in his native Spanish, ran for more than six pages, single-spaced. It was one of the longest speeches of his pontificate and a clear sign that the issues are particularly close to his heart.
Francis said the poor need land, a roof over their head and work, and said he knew well that "If I talk about this, some will think that the pope is communist."
"They don't understand that love for the poor is at the center of the Gospel," he said. "Demanding this isn't unusual, it's the social doctrine of the church."
