Why are Catholics and Christians against the teaching of the evolution theory in schools?

Answer 1

It is not true that most Christians, Catholics in particular, are against the teaching of evolution in schools. It is only a Christian minority that opposes the teaching of evolution in schools

The position of the Catholic Church is: Pope Pius XIIstated in his encyclical Humani Generis (1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis; Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis; Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.

The position of another major Christian denomination, the Episcopal Church, is: The Episcopal Church has said that the theory of evolution does not conflict with Christian faith. In 2006, the General Convention affirmed, via Resolution A129, that God is creator and added that "the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith." The Church specifically encourages the teaching of all topics supported by the consensus of scientists, including evolution, in all schools.

Answer 2

It is not true that most Christians, Catholics in particular, are against the teaching of evolution in schools. It is only a Christian minority that opposes the teaching of evolution in schools.
The position of the Catholic Church is:

• Pope Pius XII stated in his encyclical Humani Generis(1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis;
• Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis;
• Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.
  

The position of another major Christian denomination, the Episcopal Church, is:

• The Episcopal Church has said that the theory of evolution does not conflict with Christian faith. In 2006, the General Convention affirmed, via Resolution A129, that God is creator and added that "the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith." The Church specifically encourages the teaching of all topics supported by the consensus of scientists, including evolution, in all schools.
  

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