The Pope believes in science? Not so fast

Published Jun 29 2009, 05:54 PM by Jeff Inglis

Stop the presses/electrons/bits/telepathic waves!

Pope Benedict XVI has declared that scientific tests actually prove something! This from a man who disputes the scientific benefits of birth control, and who challenges scientific evidence about homosexuality.

So what, you ask, does the Holy Father agree with scientists on? Actually, now that you mention it, it's hard to tell.

Seems scientists tested some material taken from what Catholic tradition holds is the tomb of St. Paul, one of Jesus's disciples. What they found, CNN reports the pope as saying, is that bones in the sample "belong to someone who lived in the first or second century."

And, therefore.....?

"This seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains of the Apostle St. Paul," Benedict said in Sunday's announcement.

Let's follow the logic here:

1) Bones are in an ancient sarcophagus that is, traditionally, believed to be St. Paul's tomb.

2) Church tradition also holds that Paul was beheaded in either the year 65 or the year 67 CE.

3) The bones are tested and found to date to "the first or second century," or somewhere between 1 and 200 CE.

4) No one but St. Paul lived during that period. Ignore the theory suggesting that Jesus and 11 other disciples (plus a few folks that Jesus guy encountered) were alive somewhere around then.

5) The next reported human appeared after 200 CE. Ignore the theory that suggests others must have lived then.

6) Therefore, the bones must be those of St. Paul.

QED.

Filed Under: Benedict XVI, Pope, St. Paul

Morning news: Madoff, Sotomayor, Iraq, Pirate Bay

Recap: Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal live at the Wilbur Theatre from Saturday

Follow the Boston Phoenix

All Blogs

Talking Politics (1,505)
On The Download (2,143)
Phlog (1,397)
Laser Orgy (23)
Outside The Frame (299)
Dont Quote Me (511)

Filed Under: Benedict XVI, Pope, St. Paul

Boston Phoenix
The Pope believes in science? Not so fast
Published 6/29/2009 by Jeff Inglis
Stop the presses/electrons/bits/telepathic waves!Pope Benedict XVI has declared that scientific test...

more by Jeff Inglis

Is No On 1 loss due to Obama? | November 06, 2009

Recalling genocide | November 06, 2009

Post-election: the view from the wilderness | November 04, 2009

County breakdown - Question 1 #marryME | November 04, 2009

Same-sex marriage repealed | November 04, 2009

See all articles by: Jeff Inglis

Latest Comments

City Council Forums - Всем привет, ищу как починить ацтекский МиХуМп-467 после попадания им в корокодила. пишите в лс. во че...

By atlamansa on 11-10-2009 in Talking Politics

Happy Carl Sagan Day! - It was stirring to see so many children attending and taking part in science activities, while showing...

By ROKeefe on 11-10-2009 in Laser Orgy

Obama's Fort Hood screw-up - This is such a non-issue. You need to pull your head out of your ass and look at the bigger picture.

By Randy on 11-10-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Ugh, ugh, ugh: Drummer Gerhardt "Jerry" Fuchs (!!!/Turing Machine/Maserati/Juan Maclean) dead at 34 - WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT SUCH A STUPID TITLE :(

By Kendra on 11-09-2009 in On The Download

City Council Forums - УЗНАЙ ПРО ВСЕ СКРЫТЫЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ СЕТИ «VKONTAKTE.RU» Ты знаешь, что такое «Вконтакте»...

By roolcateptara on 11-09-2009 in Talking Politics

Latest Comments from Phlog

The Pope believes in science? Not so fast

Leave a Comment