Astronomers have discovered a new planet, whose neighboring planets might contain water, and ahem, life! Our current technology doesn't allow us to locate them, but the chances are good. What would that mean to religion, and Christianity specifically? Now that we know the sun doesn't revolve around a circular flat earth, will this potential revelation destroy and asunder the last vestiges of Christian faith in America?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7082257.stm
2007-11-07 03:44:18 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This new found information should have an affect on those who think that humans being in the "Goldilocks" zone is evidence of Creation.
Christians (and believers of other faiths) have an uncanny ability to adapt new information to fit their beliefs. The sun revolves around the earth? We interpreted that part of the Bible wrong. Humans evolved and weren't created this way? God guided evolution. The universe exists today as the result of the Big Bang? God made the Big Bang. And on and on it goes....
2007-11-07 03:56:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
A Good Answer to that would be in 1st Corinthians Chapter 14 verse 38. However, a better answer would be in the following chapter, 15 verses 35 to 41. god has made and placed all things in His own way. He even allows us the goodness of discovery. With the way the solar system was made, wouldn't it be more conceivable and logical to realize that that life and proof of it came from the earth in the first place and not the other way around? i years past, meteors have slammed into the earth and that is how so many of the elements of earth have made it out there. Just because we may be realizing it now does in no way justify saying that mankind came from life in "Outer Space". To be truthful And logical? There is really only one explanation. However, sometimes we tend to go against it because it causes us to face what the results of the truth really is.
2007-11-07 04:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by xgarmstrong 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Discovery of basic life would not affect Christianity in any way. We are not talking about intelligent life, life in need of salvation. We are simply talking about basic animal and/or plant life similar to what exists on our planet. Of course, these are big IFs.
The Bible states that Christ died once and for All people. As far as the Bible is concerned, this intelligent life exists only on one planet, Earth.
The biblical record does not affirm the existence of extraterrestrial life. [NOTE: The word “extraterrestrial” is used here to denote beings with physical makeups, as opposed to spiritual beings such as angels.]
The Bible does make many positive statements about the Earth and the Universe. And in those statements, it is clear that the Earth has been appointed a very unique role. For example, the psalmist stated that “the heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (115:16). The Earth, apparently, was created uniquely for mankind. Statements made by the inspired apostle Paul in Acts 17:24-26 echo this same sentiment. It is of interest to note that many celestial bodies—the Moon, the Sun, and stars—are mentioned in Scripture, and even spoken of as having definite purposes. Specifically, the Sun and Moon are said to be useful for marking off days, seasons, and years (Genesis 1:14). And, we are informed that “one star differeth from another star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). Yet no celestial body, except the Earth, is spoken of in Scripture as being a “dwelling place.”
Furthermore, the Earth is unique in that Christ’s activities are described as having occurred on this planet. It was on the Earth that the godhead became incarnate through Christ (see John 1:1ff.). It was on the Earth that Christ died for the sins of men (Hebrews 2:9). It was on the Earth that His bodily resurrection occurred (1 Corinthians 15), and from the Earth that He ascended to His Father in heaven (Acts 1:9-10; Ephesians 4:8-10).
2007-11-07 03:53:11 · answer #3 · answered by TG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've taken the most preliminary data and tried and make it as sensational as possible. Look at the article - there's a new gas giant found, which has moons that may or may not be rocky, and may or may not contain water, and may or may not support life. There was no mention of possible life on the planet either! I believe there must be planets out there that support life, and it's just a matter of time and interest before we find some.
And as for your questions, life on another planet does not at all diminish my belief in God and practice of Christianity.
2007-11-07 04:10:45 · answer #4 · answered by bagalagalaga 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I don't share a limited view of creation. The central issue in religion is what you believe and what you do in the short span of time you have.We are all on separate paths. "IFS" ... will not save or excuse you from acting on your beliefs.
If there is life on this Gas Giant that is 41 light years away.... and IF we had the technology NOW to take someone there and back and IF we had a ship that could go at light speed .....it would take 82 years for the round trip and you & I would havd died in that span ..... so what would your confirmation be?
2007-11-07 04:22:15 · answer #5 · answered by Ronatnyu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uhm..read your link man.
"What they have not yet found is a rocky planet like the Earth or Venus, but according to Professor Geoff Marcy, of the University of California, Berkeley, who led the work, that may only be a question of time and technology."
The planet they discovered is a gas giant... do you know what a gas giant is?
The only thing they have discovered is a system that closely resemples ours. There are a countless number of corelations in the universe... this is because if things don't come to together in a certain way... then they don't come together at all.
I would explain further but I didn't bring my crayons with me.
2007-11-07 04:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by jhillftp 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1. When did God every refer to us being the only living beings in the universe? And why do atheist assume that God had to reveal everything to us?
2. When scientist can agree if there is water or not on Mars...a planet we have actually had probes on, then maybe I will take what they say about a planet 41 light years away more seriously. Until then, I will think it is a good find...and a good theory...but most likely wrong.
2007-11-07 03:56:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Christian faith's foundation is not about the uniqueness of life on Earth but rather our foundation is Jesus Christ. The foundation of the Christian faith is the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God.
And, btw, when they are hoping for life they are not talking about intelligent life but rather biological or life on the cellular level.
I am a Christian and I find this fascinating and can't wait to hear more!
2007-11-07 03:49:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
We are but a small portion of the universe as God made it. If you really think there's life out there then you need to look into the probablity of it. Scientists have already come up with the answer to that.
2007-11-07 03:50:06 · answer #9 · answered by rikirailrd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who knows the OGLE etc., planet may only have plants on it. If there are other life forms, animals or similar to people. They will not doubt have some other form of religion as was for us in Mayan times for example. Or worship their moon.
2016-05-28 06:51:58 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋