Pope Benedict XVI declared today that carbon-dating of the bones of St. Paul "seems to confirm the unanimous and undisputed tradition that these are the mortal remains of the Apostle St. Paul."
While I have no specific reason to doubt that the bones are that of St. Paul, claiming that science confirms his identity simply isn't true and opens to the door to more scrutiny, not less. Carbon-dating confirmed the bones dates from the first of second century, and that is all. The test therefore gave no reason to doubt that the bones are St. Paul's, but that's not the same as confirming that they are.
People have good reason to believe in their faith, whatever faith they may hold. When science contradicts faith, I personally believe that faith should be reexamined (although that's certainly not the opinion of all believers). But to expect science to confirm faith is asking too much. One can logically and rationally have faith without being able to point to a scientific report that backs it up.
Discuss this topic in the forum!
interesting that the Pope uses carbon dating as a means to propagate dogma while the vatican has consistently denied the validity of carbon dating when in relation to contradicting creationist theory.
I suspect you’re working from old information. Catholics today are not creationists and see no conflict between science and faith.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_and_the_Roman_Catholic_Church
this is a reply to bob and Catherine Beyer.
Bob… I agree compeletly.
And Catherine Beyer yes *Most* are creationists and please like my teacher say ” please don’t use Wiki as a resource.”