"Delivering an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Pope Francis continued his habit of making provocative, seemingly progressive statements. The pontiff appeared to endorse the theory of the Big Bang and told the gathering at the Vatican that there was no contradiction between believing in God as well as the prevailing scientific theories regarding the expansion of our universe.

"'When we read about creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,' Francis said. 'He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfillment.'

"The pope avoids gesturing at the thorny issue (at least for some Christians) of whether humans descended from apes. Atheists argue, moreover, that understanding the Big Bang and what emerged from that cosmic moment obviates a need to believe in a deity. On that count, Francis obviously disagrees. He repeated the idea of God not being a 'magician,' an entity that conjured all into being.

"'God is not... a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life,' Francis said. 'Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.'"

What's next? Will the Pope endorse marijuana legalization? Birth control? Let's hope he has a lot of bodyguards, I'm sure this kind of progressive pontificating isn't winning him in friends among the Opus Dei clan.

Speaking of birth control, isn't it about time for Pat Robertson to rapture on outta here? His latest rant clearly indicates his mental condition is deteriorating. He suggested that his flock of fanatic followers should invest in gas and oil beause they're "biblical" and that condoms don't come down a pipeline. No, seriously. That's what he said, as the UK Progressive reports:

"TV preacher Pat Robertson on Monday advised his viewers to seek biblical investments like oil and gas because birth control doesn't flow through pipelines.

"During the 'Bring It On' segment of the 700 Club, a viewer told the televangelist that he needed some Christian financial advice. 'For years I have not invested in mutual funds for fear of investing in a company that profits from unbiblical means, such as the company who makes the abortion pill,' the viewer named John wrote. 'Are there 'safe' investments I can invest in with little start-up money?'

"Robertson said that he had been recommending master limited partnerships (MLPs), which are tax-exempt companies that own infrastructure like pipelines necessary for the oil and gas industry. 'And they are not flowing condoms through pipelines,' Robertson opined. 'So, don't worry about the fact they're giving abortion pills. They're putting out oil and gas through pipelines.'"

Ah Pat. Keep 'em coming. you're living proof of pseudo-Christian insanity. How, exactly, are oil and gas biblical? The only oil I remember being mentioned in the good book was either burned in a lamp or used to anoint somebody. Biblical gasoline? Did God create Exxon when He divided the heavens from the earth?

Maybe Pope Francis can weigh in on this one.