Exactly right Ken. The modern Catholic Church's beliefs are very much in line with current science and in fact have made significant contributions to it. Most protestant sects don't have an official position but simply defer to current science. There are some exceptions in some evangelical churches for example but typically they are not official positions just member positions. For the vast majority of sects they simply follow the current scientific positions. I know much is made of the few exception, controversy sells newspapers, magazines and gains viewers and web hits. We get into trouble when we think Religion is explaining a scientific concept, it's not. The Bible is not a book of science, it is a book of faith, history and insight, these are things that ancients thought were important to remember not necessarily as fact but as lessons and allegory. Religion explains why, Science explains how. We should always be extremely careful when we overlay scientific beliefs over religion or visa versa, it is big mistake and doesn't work. The two disciplines are answering different questions. I know people try to use science to prove religious beliefs in an attempt to gain some type of legitimacy but it will almost always prove fruitless, or worse, counterproductive. Let's stick to astronomy on this board and leave religious topics where it belongs, in church. Bob -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ken Harris Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 10:40 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Mormon Astronomy I hesitate to jump into an emotional topic like this, but as a Catholic I just want to say that, yes, the Catholic Church does have a very serious interest in astronomy, and all other sciences. The Vatican owns and operates a first-rate, modern observatory at Castel Gandolfo, north of Rome, and conducts a range of astronomical studies there. Basically, the Catholic Church's position on creation is: the bible tells us that God made the universe, and all that is in it, and the sciences are working hard to tell us how He did it. For anyone who is interested in a more enlightened description of the Vatican's history of astronomical studies, their observatory, and views about science, I highly recommend a beautiful new book "The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican" by Guy Consolmagno, S.J. Clear skies, Ken ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie Clyde" <jchorley@gmail.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 9:43 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Mormon Astronomy
Do any religions actually have an official viewpoint on astronomy?