Is Christ really the true and only way???

Question

I am in an astronomy course this semester, and it has made me question my religion and faith. I am of protestant upbringing and a converted catholic. In class we were shown a program to where you could see into different galaxies and how big the earth actually is compared to other planets, galaxies and stars. That got me thinking, Logically there has to be life on other planets(similar to humans if not the same) that would be arrogant to say that there isn't because we're all just a tiny speck in the universe. So assuming there are other humans or aliens, surely they do not follow the same religions that we do (any of them, not just one). Could Christ(even though he was a real person) be just that? How would it be possible for our earthly principles to apply to other intelligent life forms in other galaxies. it just doesn't make sense. I realize that some are going to call me crazy and sinful and a blashpemer, but my religion is flawed, I don't know what to believe. Whats your opinion?

For my fellow christians ready to point fingers and spout bible verses, yeah I know. I'm still allowed to think, and I have not made up my mind yet. So cut me some slack, you know you've wondered about it too

Seriously ted, are you saying that christians aren't allowed to think? You're full of crap, and for those of you answering just the first question(the Christians condemning me to hell), you're not reading anything that I have typed after that. I also asked your opinion on my thoughts as well

last detail, I promise, I'm receiving so much good feedback for both sides, thank you for being thurough in your answers. You guys are awesome

Answer 1

Nobody will ever be able to answer the question. I too, reached a point in my life where I came to the same conclusions as you.

You are incorrect in wondering if Christ could be "just that". After all, Christ isn't even worshipped by most religions on THIS planet, let alone others.

Here is what I beliieve: If someone came up with SCIENTIFIC PROOF that the bible is wrong, at least in some parts if not all, this person would be called a blasphemer, and it might even be said that the evidence was "planted" by Satan to sway the faith of non-believers. Yes, I have been told that one during a conversation when I asked just exactly where dinosaurs fit into the bible.

On the other hand, if someone same up with SCIENTIFIC PROOF that the bible was correct, the non-believers would try to scientifically prove that the other proof was wrong, and would simply say "We refuse to believe it, even though we're unable to disprove it." Sounds silly, I know, but look at the eternal battle going on about the Shroud of Turin.

There are strong believers in God, and there are strong believers in science. Nothing will EVER EVER EVER change their minds. After all, this world has people that will KILL OTHER PEOPLE believing that it's what THEIR god wants them to do. But whether I was created by God, or created by a freak mixing of the right chemicals that evolved over millions of years, I have the ability to think for myself, and so I use it. Why would God create us with that ability if he didn't want us to use it?

Answer 2

As we have all seen, religion is a very sensitive subject. I personally believe you are not crazy or sinful for just simply thinking, and trying to acquire more knowledge.

I have been raised as a Hindu, but studying my own religion and similar thinking to yours has led me to accept all religions.

Basically, I see religions as different paths up a mountain. They all reach the top, but there's just different ways to get there. In addition, I've also realized that when you break down all the verses, and get down to the core of all religions, they all seem to say the same thing. Don't kill, don't steal, love everyone...etc.

Applying this logic to the rest of the universe, it is very likely that there is life on other planets. Considering the diversity of religions that exist on our planet alone, it is a logical argument to believe that they believe is another "higher form". However, this does not mean your religion is flawed, and it doesn't mean that other religions are wrong.

It is unfortunate that humans fight and kill other humans over religions. We are all the same, and I believe our lack of tolerance for others is ridiculous. There is an excellent article at wikipedia.org about a topic called "Religious Pluralism". There are a few definitions of it, but the first one listed on the page is the following:

"Religious Pluralism may describe the world view that one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus recognizes that some level of truth and value exists in at least some other religions."

Read more about in the site below.

Answer 3

I am an atheist, but before I stopped believing in the Bible, this is what I learned:
Before you accept Jesus as being the son of God, you must first convince yourself that God the Father truly exists; and you can only do this by actually reading the Old Testament in it's entirety.
The O.T. is much more difficult to believe ,because of all the fairy- tale type of magic going on, and the violent,and vindictive God it portrays,who seems insecure and very jealous of other Gods.
You seem to be very intelligent, and when you read the Bible and realize who wrote it and when it was written, you will surely see how immature the stories seem to be.
Thereafter, you will become less intimidated about questioning religious beliefs, and begin an honest, and fearless search for truth.

Answer 4

It sounds as though you have already leaned a certain way in making up your mind. However, I don't think that your religion has been placed in question, but your faith has. I think it's a good thing to question your faith, especially as a young Christian. That's how you grow stronger in your faith. I have asked myself the similar question regarding our tininess and insignificance. Being in the class that you're in, think about this: Given the specific circumstances for life to exist on a planet, do you think that it's all happenstance? Logic tells us that we are here through a process of evolution. The variables are time and material. If I were to take a cell phone, disassemble it, place it in a bag and start shaking. Would the cell phone become whole again given enough time? What does logic tell you?

Christ was human, but He was also God manifest as human. From our views it does look like earthly principles. But, in all actuality, it's God's principles, not ours. Having questions about your faith is not sinful. The Bible is full of people that questioned their faith. However, don't give up on your faith so readily. Remember the things that caused you to have faith in the first place. Hope this helps

Answer 5

You converted to Catholicism from Protestantism??
There's your first step in erring from the truth with all due respect to the wonderful Catholic friends here such as Father K and David T, etc.
Yes, God could have created other beings in other galaxies and He wouldn't have had to tell us anything about it but if you really think further into the matter, God has only ONE begotten Son. He preserves His Word, therefore reason says that we can conclude that we are the only humans with souls that He made and Jesus the only Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world. You remember the times God repented He had made man? Well, that makes it obvious He hadn't done so before Adam. On the lighter side we could say intelligent life does exist outside our universe because they haven't tried to contact us! (From Normandy Alden quote)

Answer 6

You all right in what you said, I'm 54 and at your age I could have made the same question in Fact I remember plenty of discussions about the subjects. because the true is that you have touch more than just one subject??, and that it can become confusing for you too. Astronomy, is a sciences, though some peoples don't think, (and the more professional of such peoples), not necessary non-believers!, they don't need to think in God, while they do their work, as well that they know perfectly well, that any and all students in such class, will respond the same or close to the way you just have respond. I will suggest to you, to ear God saying, learn grow-up, and multiply, perhaps you just discover the way to knowledge and wisdom???, questions yes many questions take your time, there is no reason to involved God in this, but tell me wouldn't be nice to think that someone create such a magnificent picture that you can from now forward recreate in your mind just by thinking???, just imagining made me feel Jealous?, what do you think that God will think and do, if you ask HIM, to help you to make even a better picture in your mind with what you have learn as the basics, of a field of sciences that in the future can become part of your own profession??,.....oh and while you are at it, why don't you ask HIM, how good will be for you and HIM, if you become an Astronomer?????, is that good enough for a break??? God bless you, in Jesus name. Amen.

Answer 7

Good question.

I also believe that there must be intelligent life all over the universe. It is too easy and arrogant to think that this speck of a planet contains all the life of the entire, vast universe.

Yet that does not conflict with my religious beliefs. I believe that there is one God and that he created the entire universe and, via evolution, all life forms. I do not believe that Jesus is God or the son of God but he was probably the best teacher of real morality and how to live a good life.

I believe that there is but one God that all peoples (and alien beings) simply perceive in different ways.

Answer 8

The size of the universe should prove gods existance to you. How did all this matter get there. Matter can niether be created or destroyed. It is a principal in science. And to assume that there is other life forms is questionable. You could say the same about our solar system, and Im sure that they once did. But the earth is unique. It is in the perfect orbit which creates the perfect climate for life to exist. The sun provides the perfect amount of energy to radiate the earth with the proper conditions. Why cant mars and venus do that? Why assume that anyother place can do that?

Answer 9

How do you know that the people on the other planets didn't have Jesus visit them too? Maybe they have their own copy of the Bible in their own language. Or maybe they never sinned like Adam did, so they are OK, and they are wondering why we are so bad that we actually killed God when he visited us. Maybe humans are the rejects (or the running joke) of the rest of the universe.

If you are going to be a thinker, then why just limit your thinking to the naturalistic assumtion that other civilizations on other planets must be just like us? Since no one really knows, you can assume anything that you want. Aren't there other possibilities? Try reading "A Wrinkle in Time", or some of the science fiction books by C. S. Lewis, sometime.

Answer 10

As an atheist, it does my heart good to hear that someone is opening their mind to science. Do you know how rare it is for Catholic to open, and I mean REALLY open their mind to science and other possibilities?
No, I'm not going to try to convert you to atheism. But what you are going through now is what I went through when I was about 8 years old. I was born in 1967 and eight to ten years later is when we first set the Viking landers on Mars, sent Voyagers 1 and 2 into deep space and Carl Sagan aired his show Cosmos. From then on I questioned religion. When I was in my late teens I learned all about evolution, biology, astronomy and other sciences. Since then I have become a absolute atheist.
In the end, when you fill your mind with every scrap of science you can, religion really does seem trivial and yes, silly. But I do not condemn those who are religious as long as they open their minds to science and other possibilities. You are a rare person. Keep on learning!