Pope’s comments create Internet frenzy

Controversial comments from Pope Francis this week have generated much online discussion and debate.

At issue — science versus creationism.

The pope said the theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real, and that God “is not a magician with a magic wand.”

Pope Francis said those theories are not incompatible with the existence of God and the Biblical view that God created the Earth and mankind in six days.

Local residents responded to the pope’s remarks.

“I think it’s a very good thing,” said Oliver Cook, a Catholic. “I feel that anything that is inclusionary, open-minded, just trying not to exclude different ideas, etc., about the universe, is good. It doesn’t mean you have to believe anything verbatim.”

Kelly Jensen, a Protestant, offered a more conservative opinion.

“We understand (that creation took) six days,” she said. “Whether that’s exactly the way (God) meant it — six literal days — I figure I wasn’t there, I don’t have to worry about it. I’m just going to take God at his word.”

Much of the Internet discussion on this topic focused on whether the pope’s comments are any different from what many Catholics already believe.

“Most Catholics are either extremely conservative or very progressive and liberal,” Cook said. “I feel that this pope has been very progressive, as opposed to the previous pope.”