Alien Life and Religion

[Xavierlives]

Fr Jose Gabriel Funes of the Vatican Observatory recently had a meeting with scientists to discuss the implications of alien life and the Catholic Church. I am left wondering what is to be gained or lost for all religions if any life is found anywhere else (and/or sentient beings).

 

[ricko]

It would not have any effect on religion. Why should it? God can creat life anywhere he wants to. Even though the odds are in favor of life out there, in reality it doesn’t appear too promising.

 

[Xavierlives]

It would not have any effect on religion. Why should it? God can creat life anywhere he wants to. Even though the odds are in favor of life out there, in reality it doesn’t appear too promising.

I think that is exactly what the Catholic Church said.

I think the Catholic Church is looking at it more from a Michael Crichton perspective, that the chances that life exists off planets is good, but that the life found will be more of a cellular nature than anything else. I don’t care if their are seacows on Europa, the only significant find would be sentient life. If that happens I think it would be a major test on every faith (except Mormons, who already believe in life on other planets).

 

[ralphinal]

It really doesn’t matter one way or the other. Sin entered humanity by Adam and Eve, but redemption came for all of Creation through Jesus Christ

 

[Xavierlives]

It really doesn’t matter one way or the other. Sin entered humanity by Adam and Eve, but redemption came for all of Creation through Jesus Christ

I can tell when people aren’t really interested in discussing silly stuff.

I was just trying to have a little fun with it, like:

I was thinking sharing the gospel message would be a riot:

1. “Sin started with Zxlmyph & Eve on your planet, but Jesus came to Earth to save all creation.”
2. “Well, Mr. Bloboid, you can’t really sin, because you can’t move, but I am sure you are sinning in there!”

Or, if God sent a savior for that planet (under similar circumstances) no one would doubt God’s existence (yeah, right)

I thought since the Catholic Church was thinking about it, we would spark a conversation about it.

 

[Xavierlives]

I vaguely remember that story. They were something like 12 feet tall.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

QUOTE=Xavierlives;6008765]Fr Jose Gabriel Funes of the Vatican Observatory recently had a meeting with scientists to discuss the implications of alien life and the Catholic Church. I am left wondering what is to be gained or lost for all religions if any life is found anywhere else (and/or sentient beings).

Iam not too much of a scientific mind, but it sure sounds interesting. I believe there will be much to gain in this respect. If history repeats itself; when man discovers new ways of thinking and new discoveries about himself or creation, The teachings of Jesus in the Church become much more solid and enlightening or a deeper understanding of what has already been revealed by God. You know like when you turn a light on… light begins is the same but begins to travel after the switch is turned on.

I think of the theory of Darwinism how much chaos came about that it gave birth to man becoming himself god, and removing god from humanity giving birth to communism. Yet we got enlightened by the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception which defeated communism in my opinion, Infallibility which God protects his teachings from error, and the True understanding of evolution when God created living organism to reproduce after its own seed.

What’s in store for humanity in our next enlightenment? should we find life in another planet. One thing’s for sure if the life form has no intelligence, man will make himself god to the alien, and the chosen will continue to look for Jesus coming with the clouds as he ascended.

 

[ralphinal]

I can tell when people aren’t really interested in discussing silly stuff.

I was just trying to have a little fun with it, like:

I was thinking sharing the gospel message would be a riot:

1. “Sin started with Zxlmyph & Eve on your planet, but Jesus came to Earth to save all creation.”
2. “Well, Mr. Bloboid, you can’t really sin, because you can’t move, but I am sure you are sinning in there!”

Or, if God sent a savior for that planet (under similar circumstances) no one would doubt God’s existence (yeah, right)

I thought since the Catholic Church was thinking about it, we would spark a conversation about it.

I actually did want to discuss it.

There was a sci fi book where different deminsions existed in various states of being fallen, too. Like Eve ate but Adam did not and so on.

 

[Xavierlives]

I actually did want to discuss it.

There was a sci fi book where different deminsions existed in various states of being fallen, too. Like Eve ate but Adam did not and so on.

Well I really like Firefly’s incorporation of religion and space travel. Of course in this version of man’s future, there is not any alien lifeforms, humans are just expanding into space. Unfortunately or fortunately for mankind, we are a rather fragile species, especially in space, and I don’t think we will be making serious journeys into space.

 

[ralphinal]

Well I really like Firefly’s incorporation of religion and space travel. Of course in this version of man’s future, there is not any alien lifeforms, humans are just expanding into space. Unfortunately or fortunately for mankind, we are a rather fragile species, especially in space, and I don’t think we will be making serious journeys into space.

I agree.

I never understood why Firefly didn’t do better

 

[IanCorrigan]

Fr Jose Gabriel Funes of the Vatican Observatory recently had a meeting with scientists to discuss the implications of alien life and the Catholic Church. I am left wondering what is to be gained or lost for all religions if any life is found anywhere else (and/or sentient beings).

One interestingscience fiction speculation on the topic is James Blish’s novel “A Case of Conscience” - an alien race has no concept of religion, but appears morally perfect by Christian standards. A RCC priest is sent by the vatican to investigate. It’s part of a three-novel thematic series, the other two being Black Easter (the best black magick novel ever, imo) and Dr Mirabilis (about Roger Bacon)
Ian

 

[jpk1313]

If i ever met an alien I would just ask it “have you heard the good news about the risen lord Jesus Christ?” A jesuit priest I know said he would be the first to volunteer to go preaching to other planets. In the end it just does not matter if there is alien life out there or not becuse god created all things and if there is sentient life out there god will have reveled himself to the aliens like he has done with us.

 

[Jerusha]

Mary Doria Russell (Children of God and The Sparrow) also has dealt with the issue of original sin in science fiction from a Catholic perspective. (Although some might be offended-- you can’t avoid offending people all the time.)

 

[AmericanJosiah]

It would not have any effect on religion. Why should it? God can creat life anywhere he wants to. Even though the odds are in favor of life out there, in reality it doesn’t appear too promising.

Unless they end up being homo sapiens, I can’t think of any implications.

I personally regard it as LIKELY that there is life of some nature or form elsewhere in the universe, but I regard it as UNLIKELY we’ll ever be made aware of such. Thus, it will remain a purely theoretical conversation.

.

 

[TJR357]

I think that is exactly what the Catholic Church said.

I think the Catholic Church is looking at it more from a Michael Crichton perspective, that the chances that life exists off planets is good, but that the life found will be more of a cellular nature than anything else. I don’t care if their are seacows on Europa, the only significant find would be sentient life. If that happens I think it would be a major test on every faith (except Mormons, who already believe in life on other planets).

Mormon’s already believe in life on other planets? W5 and H?

 

[Trunicate09]

Personally for the most part I believe it would have little (negative) effect on the religions of the world.

If anything, it might strengthen the faith of those who already believe in a universal creator God.

 

[Xavierlives]

Mormon’s already believe in life on other planets? W5 and H?

They believe God is living on a planet called Kolob. They believe they the too will live on other planets and be the gods over them.

 

[latin_rite]

I think that is exactly what the Catholic Church said.

I think the Catholic Church is looking at it more from a Michael Crichton perspective, that the chances that life exists off planets is good, but that the life found will be more of a cellular nature than anything else. I don’t care if their are seacows on Europa, the only significant find would be sentient life. If that happens I think it would be a major test on every faith (except Mormons, who already believe in life on other planets).

I’ve allways believed there was life on other planets. Even as a kid. My belief just grew stronger as i got older. And not once as it ever made feel as though it has tested my faith.

 

[Lizziebel]

I actually did want to discuss it.

There was a sci fi book where different deminsions existed in various states of being fallen, too. Like Eve ate but Adam did not and so on.

Hi, Ralph!

That sounds like a really interesting book! I just did a google search to find it, but nothing of that description came up. Do you happen to have the title and/or author?

 

[lufty]

I think that if we discovered alien life within our own solar system, be it cellular or “sea cows on Europa”(awesome post btw Xavierlives), most religions wouldn’t be too effected.

However, if intelligent life revealed itself to us in such a way that:

a) We were unaware of their existence, and were unable technologically to do so.
b) This intelligent life was technologically superior to us(which would be a requirement to travel the distances, if this life lived outside our solar system).

I think not only would Religion be in some confusion, but the entire race of man may have some difficulty dealing. However, after reading some of your other threads, I am not without doubt that it is entirely possible alien life could have been influenced by God. Boy, there would sure be some interesting theological debates with that group!