So what if there are other inteligent beings on other planets. What does that change?

[Cojuanco]

It changes nothing. After all, the Son of God came in the form of a Jewish man, yet he came to redeem everyone - what is to say the extraterrestials do not fall under the category of those redeemed by Our Lord?

Should we find them in distant planets, I should hope with the colonists and scientists come missionaries.

 

[archistrage]

Ss. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine would beg to differ… For Thomas, our rationality represents the “image of God”; quoting Augustine, he writes: “‘Man’s excellence consists in the fact that God made him to His own image by giving him an intellectual soul, which raises him above the beasts of the field.’ Therefore things without intellect are not made to God’s image.” (ST I, 93.2).

If there were to be rational/intelligent creatures aside from man, then they must also be made in the image of God… then why does Jesus come as man? Are these rational creatures too included in the plan of salvation? Are they too called to communion with God?

Yes, there is still a God, but there would certainly be interesting ramifications for our understanding of the purpose and end of man…

Why does God choose the Jews? Why not the Celtics? Native American? The Indians?Why did he choose to be a carpenter? Why not a mason? Or any one of the thousands of other occupations

The question is irrelevant. God chose one group of people, so that he could come into the world for the forgiveness of sins. As Christ says, “Salvation comes from the Jews.” And that God’s new chosen people, the Christians, were to go out and preach to all the Gentiles. If there are any E.T.'s out there, they would be Gentiles we could go preach to.

“Proclaim the Gospel to every nation under heaven.”

Any E.T.'s would be under heaven, within the Church’s domain. Our duty would be to proclaim the Gospel to them.

Also, the Vatican announced three years ago that if we did meet any other Sentient Life, they could still be our “Brothers in Christ.”

Peace be with you,
Archistrage

 

[Light1111]

A very interesting question.

Have any of you seen the television show on the History Channel, “Ancient Aliens”? The show puts forth the theory that the world’s manmade landmasses, the creation of which cannot be explained (such as the pyramids), might in fact have been made by aliens. Whether you believe this or not is neither here nor there . . .

The topic the OP mentions was discussed in the show. They discussed the implications for their theory, regarding religion.

One scholar stated that none of the world’s religions would have to change, nor would their views, beliefs or practices even need to be altered.

But he went on to say, “The one religion for whom this does pose a problem is Christianity. If there is life elsewhere in the Universe, Christians are faced with the following dilemma: Did Christ die for the sins of the aliens, too?”

Very thought-provoking! Again, I don’t know whether there are merits to these scholars’ claims, or not. It is the philosophical topic this man introduces that is interesting to me. I would be tempted to say: as a hypothetical, if aliens exist, then yes, Jesus would have died for them, too. Not just for us earthlings

 

[JDaniel]

It changes nothing. After all, the Son of God came in the form of a Jewish man, yet he came to redeem everyone - what is to say the extraterrestials do not fall under the category of those redeemed by Our Lord?

Should we find them in distant planets, I should hope with the colonists and scientists come missionaries.

Co:

I wonder, though, how those aliens would have received Christ’s and His Apostle’s earthly revelation?

God bless,
jd

 

[MindOverMatter2]

Co:

I wonder, though, how those aliens would have received Christ’s and His Apostle’s earthly revelation?
jd

I dare say that if aliens came to this planet, some would be interested in Jesus, some wouldn’t. They, like our own atheists, having seen many different religions through out the universe would think that Jesus is just a folk tale blown out of proportion, and they would look down on us with the same Godlike pity that Richard Dawkins and his other cronies do. There is no reason to think that just because they are technologically advanced that are not just as diverse and confuesd about their beliefs as we are.

Imagine, an alien showing a picture of a cross or a symbol of sacrifice with a Christlike being on it. Wouldn’t that suggest to you the the “Christ Event” was in fact a bio-located event.

 

[archistrage]

A very interesting question.

Have any of you seen the television show on the History Channel, “Ancient Aliens”? The show puts forth the theory that the world’s manmade landmasses, the creation of which cannot be explained (such as the pyramids), might in fact have been made by aliens. Whether you believe this or not is neither here nor there . . .

Possible, but improbable.

I’m always doubtful whenever I hear any theories about us coming from extra terrestrial origins. Not that I think it impossible, but because, for the majority of the time, they are people who are trying to avoid giving any real answer as to how we came to be what we are.

A good example is the theory that life on earth came from bacteria on comets flying around space. It answers nothing about how we went from atoms to DNA to fully functional organism. People use it to avoid the issue (not everyone, but enough to make me roll my eyes whenever someone brings up the theory).

It’s just hilarious. People read the Old Testament and think that aliens are the one who cause all the supernatural occurrences. Which, hey, if that’s what gets your rocks off, then go for it, but stop bugging me with it. It’s hilarious, because there’s just as much evidence for the existence of aliens as there is for God.

If there’s intelligent life out there, then odds are we’re going to meet it at some point. Christ said that he would not come again until the Gospel had been proclaimed to all the nations. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Peace be with you,
Archistrage

 

[Light1111]

Possible, but improbable.

I’m always doubtful whenever I hear any theories about us coming from extra terrestrial origins. Not that I think it impossible, but because, for the majority of the time, they are people who are trying to avoid giving any real answer as to how we came to be what we are.

A good example is the theory that life on earth came from bacteria on comets flying around space. It answers nothing about how we went from atoms to DNA to fully functional organism. People use it to avoid the issue (not everyone, but enough to make me roll my eyes whenever someone brings up the theory).

It’s just hilarious. People read the Old Testament and think that aliens are the one who cause all the supernatural occurrences. Which, hey, if that’s what gets your rocks off, then go for it, but stop bugging me with it. It’s hilarious, because there’s just as much evidence for the existence of aliens as there is for God.

If there’s intelligent life out there, then odds are we’re going to meet it at some point. Christ said that he would not come again until the Gospel had been proclaimed to all the nations. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Peace be with you,
Archistrage

Actually, quite a few of the “Ancient Aliens” contingent simultaneously believe in God, and in the alien theory. They don’t see the two as conflictual.

I often lament the state of the U.S. education. If this story doesn’t put into perspective how lacking ours can be, nothing will!

One of the most-quoted gentlemen, on the ‘Ancient Aliens’ show, is Erich von Daniken – who wrote the book “Chariots of the Gods” several decades ago, to international success.

He tells the story about how he came to believe as he did – what influenced him.

Von Daniken was a Catholic School boy in Switzerland, translating the Bible, by hand, from his native Dutch, into Greek; from the Greek, into German; and from the German, into Latin. (I might have screwed up the order, but still, how impressive! He was only a child!)

He became so familiar with the Bible, practically memorizing it, as he went about these exercises, that he began noticing certain commonalities, from which he drew his theories.

In speaking about this story, he stated that he has always been an ardent Catholic, and remains so to this day. In no way does he believe the theories he propounds to interfere with Christ’s teachings. If anything, he said, his faith is only enriched.

What a bright, interesting man!

 

[MindOverMatter2]

What a bright, interesting man!

yea, right!

channel4.com/history/microsites/R/real_lives/daniken.html

Honesty on trial

*Just as von Däniken felt that his years of work were vindicated, disaster struck. He was arrested by Interpol for non-payment of £7,000 of business tax. An extremely thorough examining magistrate uncovered a staggering £350,000 of personal debts. As well as questions of simple fraud, von Däniken’s entire character was attacked.

He was subjected to psychological examinations, labelled a homosexual and lawyers attacked his theories as nonsense. His past misdemeanours were dredged up to show that he was untrustworthy.

Many saw this extreme reaction as the conservative religious establishment trying to silence a heretic who had dared to question their views. The authorities eventually imprisoned him for three and a half years for embezzlement. During his time in jail, he continued writing. His second book, Return of the Gods, which viewed the massive sculptures on Easter Island as having been built by or for aliens, was another bestseller.

By the time of his 1971 release from prison, 2.5 million copies of his two books had been sold in 24 languages.*
**
Decline and fall**

Von Däniken’s credibility was finally undermined after he was unable to substantiate claims made in another book, Gold of the Gods, that he had photographed metal plaques containing the wisdom of extraterrestrials. In 1977, a BBC Horizon programme, The Case of the Ancient Astronauts, took a rational look at his theories and showed them to be pseudo science.

I am not saying that embezzlement necessarily makes him an evil person.We all do wrong. I just want to put a different light on his character before we decide to push his ideas up to academic status. But perhaps there is a fallacy in attacking his character; perhaps the government made it all up to hide the truth. I would not put it past them. But in all seriousness, in any case, his ideas have been found to be pure speculation.

 

[Light1111]

yea, right!

channel4.com/history/microsites/R/real_lives/daniken.html

Honesty on trial

*Just as von Däniken felt that his years of work were vindicated, disaster struck. He was arrested by Interpol for non-payment of £7,000 of business tax. An extremely thorough examining magistrate uncovered a staggering £350,000 of personal debts. As well as questions of simple fraud, von Däniken’s entire character was attacked.

He was subjected to psychological examinations, labelled a homosexual and lawyers attacked his theories as nonsense. His past misdemeanours were dredged up to show that he was untrustworthy.

Many saw this extreme reaction as the conservative religious establishment trying to silence a heretic who had dared to question their views. The authorities eventually imprisoned him for three and a half years for embezzlement. During his time in jail, he continued writing. His second book, Return of the Gods, which viewed the massive sculptures on Easter Island as having been built by or for aliens, was another bestseller.

By the time of his 1971 release from prison, 2.5 million copies of his two books had been sold in 24 languages.*
**
Decline and fall**

Von Däniken’s credibility was finally undermined after he was unable to substantiate claims made in another book, Gold of the Gods, that he had photographed metal plaques containing the wisdom of extraterrestrials. In 1977, a BBC Horizon programme, The Case of the Ancient Astronauts, took a rational look at his theories and showed them to be pseudo science.

I am not saying that embezzlement necessarily makes him an evil person.We all do wrong. I just want to put a different light on his character before we decide to push his ideas up to academic status. But perhaps there is a fallacy in attacking his character; perhaps the government made it all up to hide the truth. I would not put it past them. But in all seriousness, in any case, his ideas have been found to be pure speculation.

I still believe him to be a bright, interesting man. I did not say he was a saint or free from sin! And my main point was simply to show this is not a “God”-less person, he professes to devout Catholicism. Certainly it’s not uncommon that Catholics are caught violating the law!

Peace.

 

[MindOverMatter2]

I still believe him to be a bright, interesting man. I did not say he was a saint or free from sin! And my main point was simply to show this is not a “God”-less person, he professes to devout Catholicism. Certainly it’s not uncommon that Catholics are caught violating the law!

Peace.

Did you bother to read this bit…

Von Däniken’s credibility was finally undermined after he was unable to substantiate claims made in another book, Gold of the Gods, that he had photographed metal plaques containing the wisdom of extraterrestrials. In 1977, a BBC Horizon programme, The Case of the Ancient Astronauts, took a rational look at his theories and showed them to be pseudo science.

He claimed to take a photo of some kind of evidence, and when he was asked to produce this kind of evidence, he couldn’t do it. He doesn’t seem bright to me if he is in the game of making evidential scientific claims that he cannot substantiate. Perhaps he interesting if you enjoy sc-fi.

 

[Light1111]

Did you bother to read this bit…

Von Däniken’s credibility was finally undermined after he was unable to substantiate claims made in another book, Gold of the Gods, that he had photographed metal plaques containing the wisdom of extraterrestrials. In 1977, a BBC Horizon programme, The Case of the Ancient Astronauts, took a rational look at his theories and showed them to be pseudo science.

He claimed to take a photo of some kind of evidence, and when he was asked to produce this kind of evidence, he couldn’t do it. He doesn’t seem bright to me if he is in the game of making evidential scientific claims that he cannot substantiate. Perhaps he interesting if you enjoy sc-fi.

I apologize for ignoring that portion of it. I didn’t see the need to contradict your source. I have read von Daniken’s books and furthered the exploration by reading others like it. I find the claims interesting, potentially valid. That’s all.

In any case, back to your topic: What do you and the others following this thread think of this latest news?

theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Popes-Astronomer-Would-Baptize-Aliens-2098

The Pope’s Astronomer has stated that if aliens exist, and they were to visit us, he would baptize them, if they asked for him to do so. He also stated he would not offer this unless they specifically voiced interest in it. So that’s pretty interesting, isn’t it?

I’ve read a few of the things the Pope’s Astronomer has written/spoken out about in recent years, and he’s quite a fellow! Very dedicated to CC, obviously, and also a man who is open to possibilities many dismiss as nonsense. I think it’d be great fun to sit and share a meal with him sometime, pick his brain. He’s a very interesting person!

Peace,
Light1111

 

[MindOverMatter2]

I think it’d be great fun to sit and share a meal with him sometime, pick his brain. He’s a very interesting person!

Peace,
Light1111

I wouldn’t just pick his brain, i would fry it in trickle syrup, put it in a pie, and share a slice with my alien friend that i have been hiding in my bedroom. My parents don’t know about the alien, and i am only telling you because i know you wouldn’t believe me. That’s why a made this thread because i want to know if the alien in my room presents a problem for my faith. The alien, which i have named “Tommy-knocker” because i can’t pronounce its name, knows our language very well and said that it was stranded by a mean friend as a practical joke. Should i get rid of it? It has an odd smell.

 

[PS4ever]

When the aliens arrive, I will begin trying to convert them.

If we find that they already have a religion, that’s fine, but an attempt at conversion is better than no attempt to save the alien’s soul.