Vatican says aliens could exist

[Thor Henning]

Writing in the Vatican newspaper, the astronomer, Father Gabriel Funes, said intelligent beings created by God could exist in outer space.

Father Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory near Rome, is a respected scientist who collaborates with universities around the world.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Vatican says aliens could exist

[UGAplaya]

In similar news, Great Britain is releasing classified documents on UFO's. Of course as the article states, most can be explained like this.... "Some of the reports are fairly easy to explain — and quite possibly influenced by a pint or two of beer.This was the case when a number of people leaving a Tunbridge Wells pub at 9:30 at night reported seeing a strange craft "with red and green" lights.Asked by police where it seemed to be traveling, the pub crawlers said it appeared to be heading for London's Gatwick Airport.Case closed.It didn't take a scientist to figure out it was a commercial plane making a routine approach." LOL.

[Rissask]

Just as there are multiple forms of life on earth, so there could exist intelligent beings in outer space created by God. And some aliens could even be free from original sin, he speculates.
Asked about the Catholic Church's condemnation four centuries ago of the Italian astronomer and physicist, Galileo, Father Funes diplomatically says mistakes were made, but it is time to turn the page and look towards the future.
Science and religion need each other, and many astronomers believe in God, he assures readers. To strengthen its scientific credentials, the Vatican is organising a conference next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the author of the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin.

They're scrambling, on that alien statement!

I guess if there suddenly appeared proof that there is life elsewhere than on earth, this will give them an edge- 'Hey- we said it was possible, it doesn't mean you can't still give your money to the Catholic Church!'

(Of course, I do like that last paragraph. Good for them!)

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by Rissask

They're scrambling, on that alien statement!

I guess if there suddenly appeared proof that there is life elsewhere than on earth, this will give them an edge- 'Hey- we said it was possible, it doesn't mean you can't still give your money to the Catholic Church!'

(Of course, I do like that last paragraph. Good for them!)

damned if they do; damned if they don't...

I found a new siggy line for ya (don't tell Jacko):

“No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”
--Lily Tomlin

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

damned if they do; damned if they don't...

I found a new siggy line for ya (don't tell Jacko):

“No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”
--Lily Tomlin

I kinda like that line, thanks.
So Char, tell me- why do you think the Church would make an official statement like that, then? Seeing through to the true motivations and the real reasons at the core of a business decision, doesn't always equate to 'cynicism'.

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I kinda like that line, thanks.
So Char, tell me- why do you think the Church would make an official statement like that, then? Seeing through to the true motivations and the real reasons at the core of a business decision, doesn't always equate to 'cynicism'.

I honestly hadn't thought much about it... I've always thought there might be more than what we have here on this planet... I guess that's all I took the statement to mean... my first thought concerning their thought process wasn't "Hey, let's go out on a limb and talk about possible life on other planets to drum up more money."

That's all I meant by the cynical comment. Not that you might not be right. Just that it's funny that was the first thing you thought of.

[UGAplaya]

With all due respect to Christian Catholics, the Vatican has been losing credability for a very long time now. With this statement they blatently undermind the bible. God created the Heavans and the Earth and sent his Son to be the redeemer for our sins. Here's a little more..... The earth is unique. God designed the earth for life (Isaiah 45:18). The other planets have an entirely different purpose than does the earth, and thus, they are designed differently. In Genesis 1 we read that God created plants on the earth on Day 3, birds to fly in the atmosphere and marine life to swim in the ocean on Day 5, and animals to inhabit the land on Day 6. Human beings were also made on Day 6 and were given dominion over the animals. But where does the Bible discuss the creation of life on the “lights in the expanse of the heavens”? There is no such description because the lights in the expanse were not designed to accommodate life. God gave care of the earth to man, but the heavens are the Lord’s (Psalm 115:16). From a biblical perspective, extraterrestrial life does not seem reasonable.

[melliedee]

Maybe they know something we don't and want to have the first shot at converting the aliens to Catholicism?

Honestly, I don't think there is an agenda here. This church has a long tradition of the religious scholar/scientist. Most Catholics embrace evolution as well; it does not surprise me to see such an official declaration about intelligent life on other planets.

[SunKneeMarie]

UGA, you come very close to expressing the view that if people don't completely agree with your interpretation of the bible that they are not as good a Christian, or the "right kind" of Christian, or possibly not a Christian at all. If you choose to believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis that's fine... but I don't recall anywhere that that is a requirement to being a Christian.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

UGA, you come very close to expressing the view that if people don't completely agree with your interpretation of the bible that they are not as good a Christian, or the "right kind" of Christian, or possibly not a Christian at all. If you choose to believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis that's fine... but I don't recall anywhere that that is a requirement to being a Christian.

It's not a requirement at all. I think we've coverd on this forum what it takes to be a Christian. But I will say this, once you open the door to making the Bible fit what YOU think might be true, you are then standing on a very slippery slope. God sent his son to the EARTH. In my opinion the Earth is a very special place to God and the Heavans have a whole other purpose.

[pamplemoose77]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

From a biblical perspective, extraterrestrial life does not seem reasonable.

i totally disagree. if the bible is God's guide for the earth, and His plan for earth is different than other universes, then why would there be need to mention it in the Bible?

i just don't think that EVERY answer to EVERY question can be found in the bible! ETA, i personally don't think everything is as black and white as you tend to think.. our personalities are different, and i bet our gifts are different as well. you've got way more "prophet" in you versus my "exhortation" side... i'm not trying to start a fight, but i think it's just as slippery to come out and say that you have all the answers wrapped up when you can't possibly speak for God on all accounts!

and i have to side with char on this one.. there are MANY slippery slopes to be standing on

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by pamplemoose77

i totally disagree. if the bible is God's guide for the earth, and His plan for earth is different than other universes, then why would there be need to mention it in the Bible?

i just don't think that EVERY answer to EVERY question can be found in the bible!

and i have to side with char on this one.. there are MANY slippery slopes to be standing on

All I'm saying is that God sent his Son to the Earth to die for our sins. It does not mention that he sent his son to any other planet. That to me makes the Earth an extremely special place to God.

[UGAplaya]

Oh, and what a very pretty little girl you guys have. Congrats.

[pamplemoose77]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

All I'm saying is that God sent his Son to the Earth to die for our sins. It does not mention that he sent his son to any other planet. That to me makes the Earth an extremely special place to God.

right... agreed...

but when you have one kid.. they're extremely special.. and you can't see how the next kid could possibly be so special...

then you have the next kid.. and guess what.. just as special! but in all different ways!

i've got 3 kids.. all different.. all special. if i wrote a book about my oldest daughter and for my oldest daughter, i wouldn't feel the need to talk about the other 2 in there.. it would be her book.

she'd be special.. the others would be special...


ETA, i just don't think that OUR plan for salvation or God's word has to specify plans or salvation on any other worlds. what if there was no sin in other worlds and no need for salvation. what if they're still in communion with God? etc, etc

[pamplemoose77]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

Oh, and what a very pretty little girl you guys have. Congrats.

thanks