Thanks.. That;s what I have heard and probably the most common interpretation. I am not going to argue on it because I simply don't know.
Yes it is a popular misinterpretation. I think it's mainly due to Buddhists wanting to sound scientific and progressive.
This sutta was spoken to non Buddhists. Thus the intention behind the sutta is to invoke faith. If you want to better understand this sutta read it alongside Canki sutta.

