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From: hardie@uf-csg.UUCP (Peter T Hardie [stdnt])
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Message-ID: <281@uf-csg.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Nov-84 08:41:33 EST
Article-I.D.: uf-csg.281
Posted: Fri Nov 30 08:41:33 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Dec-84 05:31:21 EST
Organization: Univ of Fla, Computer and Information Science
Lines: 33

Hello out there;
	
	An interesting article in the December OMNI discusses the new
activities of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pope's own scientific
advisory board.  They, under the aegis of the Papacy, research nearly
anything, and provide the Pope with information, but he does not dictate
the subject of the research (although he can request a study of a subject
if he needs information on it, I believe).

	The  really interesting thing, though, is that several months ago
(possibly a few years, but I don't have the article with me now), the PAS
held a symposium on the subject of Rampethicus (spelling?) being the first
specimen of genus Homo, with various disciplines giving their findings.  The
ultimate decision isn't important, but I find it very noteworthy that the
Pope, head of one of the most conservative churches in history, has not asked
the PAS to look into so-called 'scientific creationism'.

	One of the members, in fact, openly said "Creation is a myth...all
it says is that God had something to do with the beginning of the world..."
(that may not be a verbatim quote, but the meaning is the same).
	
	I realize that the Protestant churches don't consider the Pope
the final authority in spiritual matters, but when he doesn't give the
PAS any indication that he wishes it studied, it begins to look more and
more like pure religion, and less like any science.

	

"If God is dead, then anything is possible."
					--Dostoevsky
-- 
	Pete Hardie, Univ. of Florida, CIS Gould
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