(May 24, 2013 at 12:35 am)Ryantology Wrote:(May 24, 2013 at 12:20 am)Drich Wrote: Again, why couldn't both have happened?
Modern homo sapiens has been around for a hundred thousand years at the very least. There are human settlements dating back long before 6,000 years ago. So, no, both could not have happened.
In Catholic theology, it is acceptable to believe that God put a human soul into the body of a creature that had evolved from lower forms of life. How long ago is beside the point. The Bible is not a science book. The author did not intend to teach us about science. There is no need to believe in a young earth. It is a spiritual book. The author intended to teach about God's relation to us. All we are required to believe is that evolution was caused and guided by God and that we are descended from one man and one woman.
Nevertheless, scientists have proposed the theory that we are all descended from "Mitochondrial Eve." See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_Eve
Pope Francis means that Jesus died for all mankind. Whether one chooses to respond or not is your free choice. It is our choice that determines our eternal destiny. God is both merciful and just. He offers us all we need to to enjoy eternal happiness with Him if one opens his/her heart to receive His love.
Everyone is capable of doing good. The world needs goodness! God has commanded us to do good because self-centeredness makes us unhappy, while serving others brings joy and peace.
When believers and non-believers work side-by-side, we begin to understand each other. That is a good thing.
