Case Study: Catholic Perspective on Evolution #4 continued

So, from the Catholic point of view, the scientific questions of evolution are largely left open to debate. Evolutionary hypotheses which attempt to explain the development of living things may be accepted except where they conflict with these few explicit truths.

This position clearly contrasts with that of many fundamentalist Protestant sects. Lacking belief in the Church's teaching authority, fundamentalists have usually insisted on treating Genesis as a scientifically accurate, as well as historically true, account. Unfortunately, this stance has often appeared in the media as definitive Christian doctrine. Its details have contrasted so sharply with established scientific knowledge that "Christian belief" has been held in ridicule.

To give one example: In the 17th century, an Anglican clergyman, Bishop James Ussher, calculated from Biblical genealogies that God created the world on an October morning in 4004 B.C. Many fundamentalists today would hold this as an article of faith. For virtually all scientists, the figure is absurd. From the Catholic point of view, Bishop Ussher spoke only for himself, not for the Church; his feat was one of arithmetic, not theology.

Of course, Catholics *may* share many of these fundamentalist beliefs as their personal opinions. The point is they are not *required* to. With the exception of the few matters mentioned above, Catholics may hold whatever scientific positions seem reasonable and intellectually convincing.

This leads to the next consideration. Just how much does science know with certainty? What are the strengths and limitations of science in helping us find the truth?.....