If God created the Heavens and the Earth, and put man and other creatures upon the Earth, how do we know that God didn't go to some other part of his Heavens and create some other planet and deposit life on it? How do we know he didn't do that 10, 100, or 1000 times over in different parts of his Heavens? :confused:

Life may be rare in the universe, but it's hard to think we could be the only island.

I agree with you, we don't know that we are alone! I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible either (someone correct me if I'm wrong), that we are alone in the universe. And if G-d did create the universe, I'm sure He'd find it more interesting if He created lots of different places. ;)

I took an Astronomy / Physics class when I was in first year university. Our professor taught us about a mathematical formula (I think it was attributed to Einstein, but I can't recall) that calculates the probability of planets similar to earth existing in the Milky Way Galaxy, based on distance from a star like our sun, as well as some other factors. According to the formula's calculations, there are approximately 13,000 planets like ours just in this galaxy alone! And we know of several galaxies. So I figure there has to be life out there, and probably similar to ours too.

I agree... what would be the purpose of those other galaxies if there wasn't life out there? If this IS all part of God's plan, why would he bother creating them?

I had come up with a theory a while back...

We have gone through many eras in life... 1700s was the Frontier Era, 1800s was the Industrial Era, 1900s was the Technological Era, and many believe the 2000s will be the Biological Era. Suppose, as we grow in each, we find the technology to travel further into space, we create the industry to bring us to the new frontiers... maybe these places won't support life as we know it. So we "evolve" ourselves into superior beings... skin that will sustain a different atmosphere, larger skulls to contain a larger, more capable brain, large black eyes that can withstand the Sun, etc. Basically, creating the typical "alien" as we know it.

So as we travel further into life, we are able to reconstrust beings, evolve lifeforms... everything BUT the actual creation of life, that which separates us from God. We even learn how to cross the Space/Time continuum.

So we search our history traveling back to Ancient Life as we know it. We, the new evolution of Humans, are the Hyrogliphic pictures depicted in the Egyptian Ruins, the Angels and Chariots as seen in the Old Testement Times, possibly even the Gods in early Greek Mythology.

I don't know... it was a stretch. But it was an interesting study for a while there lol

Yes, there is nothing that would make other life mean that the bible and Christianity could not be correct also. The Old Testement has been the history of the Hewbrew nation that arose from Adam, it does not talk about the Americas which was unknown to them at that time.

A UFO landing at my nearest trailer park would not shake my faith at all.

A UFO landing at my nearest trailer park would not shake my faith at all.

Fr_Chuck,as a baptist it would scare the hell out of me though. :D

I strongly believe that at some point in our future, our understanding of science and technology will converge with our religious beliefs and faith. Once we understand that link, we'll open an entire new era of understanding our place in the universe.

Maybe some of our UFO visitors already understand that link?

Well I have always thought that some of the posters on here must be from some other world than earth, since I can't believe people recommend others to do some of the things that they do.

But as a Chrsitian, UFO or people from another world is just another area that we have to spread our faith ( unless they are already Christian)
Of course we would worry about the miliatry issues and security of earth, but why should anything shake our faith, death is the extreme result here on earth and it is not to shake our faith. And if Elvis impersonators can not shake my faith, nothing can.

(Father, you crack me UP sometimes!! Lol)

Anyway, Christians on other planets... Hmmmmm. That would be interesting. The thing about THAT is that we (Earthlings, that is) are Christians because we believe that God sent His Son, Jesus to Earth to die for our sins.

If I am a Christian from Mars, would I believe that God sent His Son, Jesus to MARS to die for OUR (Martians, that is) sins? If so, then one of the main arguments in the reincarnation theory would be blown out of the water. (I can't find the post... but it quoted the Bible in saying that "Man can only die once and be judged."... or something along those lines)

A Christian from Mars! LOL! But the point's true though. According to the Word. Consider Genesis; " God made the Heavens & the Earth". I don't see any plural there like "Earths". So I don't think there are clones like us out there. I think NASA would like to find life somewhere out there, but one of the purposes of the space endeavor is to get evidence that people can live out there if the earth becomes too populated (& to get nice pix of nebulae & comets & stuff) But we still enjoy a good Sci-Fi movie here.

I defiantly think there is life on other planets. Granted, I don't know for sure, but I am more of an optimistic kind of guy. I can't believe that we humans, on Earth, are the only life beings in the entire universe.

Excellent, I have often thought about this PSC. There are many religious or very strong denomination believers that think and believe that we are the special creation on this planet and that we are unique and there is not other life forms else where. I would say why would you PUT A LIMIT ON GOD? There is no limit of what God could do. There are MILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF STARS AND PLANETS. Why would he create so many without life on it. It just does not make sense to me as a believer that God would create so much and make us the only created planet with life on it. When you think of it if we are the only ones that would go to more of the theory that this life we call here on earth IS ONLY BY CHANCE AND NOT CREATION. We may not know how many but I guarantee there are many life creations out there that are even beyond our knowledge or dimension , etc. Many Many mysteries. Excellent post.

Hi,
Space is endless, and I don't think we are the only living beings in it.
I also believe we have been visited by others from places we may never see or know about. There is just too much information available for me to doubt it.
When God created the Heavens and the Earth, he very well may have created more than we will ever know, including other life, other places, at the same time.

The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus died for the sins of mankind. That is the sins attributable to inheritance from our disobedient parents Adam and Eve. If indeed there are non-human perfect creatures on other planets who are suffering from the effects of their disobedient original parents, then it would seem that the only way to fix the situation is via the death of a sinless one on behalf of the sinful as happened here on earth.

Starman, The debate was not about whether Jesus died for our sins or not. The question was about why would there not be other forms of life else where? No one said anything about perfection.

To believe there is no life on other planets just isn't logical. In an infinite & possibly ever expanding universe, it would be idiotic and extreamly ignorant to say that life did not exist elswhere in the universe.
I do believe in a god. An omnipitent being of conciesness. I don't think that we were made in his likeness however. Do remember, that we used to believe the sun went round the world and that we were the centre of the universe. So a lot of what is written in the bible, is put across in that way. (We were made in Gods likeness.) What makes us so great?
We are not the centre of the universe, the sun does not revolve around us. So why couln't an omnipitent being create life on other worlds too. It's a great theory.

...how do we know that God didn’t go to some other part of his Heavens and create some other planet and deposit life on it?

I personally believe that He probably did.

If God created the Heavens and the Earth, and put man and other creatures upon the Earth, how do we know that God didn’t go to some other part of his Heavens and create some other planet and deposit life on it? How do we know he didn’t do that 10, 100, or 1000 times over in different parts of his Heavens? :confused:

Life may be rare in the universe, but it’s hard to think we could be the only island.

Just spotted this thread. Your hypothesis jives with some of my beliefs. I believe that some intelligent force created the universe as we know it. I also believe that we are not the only experiment created by this force. We may not even be its greatest success.

Hi,
Space is endless, and I don't think we are the only living beings in it.
I also believe we have been visited by others from places we may never see or know about. There is just too much information available for me to doubt it.
When God created the Heavens and the Earth, he very well may have created more than we will ever know, including other life, other places, at the same time.

I find your response here very interesting. I'm wondering how you reconcile it with other things you believe. Do you think all of these other life forms know Jesus Christ? Will they be "saved" if they do not?

I'm also curious as to what preponderance of evidence make you not doubt that we have been visited by other life forms?

It's very humbling to think that humans may be much less evolved than those other experiments.

Maybe we can't see all the “other life” in the universe because we are just too primitive to be cognizant of it!

Its funny that when one thinks of "others" that are out there, they always assume they must be more evolved or more intelligent than us... what if WE were the most evolved and most intelligent creatures in the 'verse? (kind of a frightening thought though, eh? Lol)

I find your response here very interesting. I'm wondering how you reconcile it with other things you believe. Do you think all of these other life forms know Jesus Christ? Will they be "saved" if they do not?


Scott, you raise an interesting question. I am not sure whether there is life on other planets. Let's say He did create more than us, that does raise the
Interesting question as to whether the same principles of salvation apply. :rolleyes:


I personally have no problems believing there isn't any other life. I don't believe that because of arrogancy but from a bible standpoint, it says He created us for our pleasure (Rev 4:11). If he created us for His pleasure then he may not need any other to please him. :D

It brings to question the idea that we were all created in His image. Although, I personally don't take this as literal as most, many do. So either we all look just like the aliens or we alone are the only ones created in His image. And if that is true, wouldn't we be the highest life form of them all? Lol

Its funny that when one thinks of "others" that are out there, they always assume they must be more evolved or more intelligent than us... what if WE were the most evolved and most intelligent creatures in the 'verse?? (kind of a frightening thought tho, eh? lol)
I'm not sure if I find that more comforting, or more frightening! ;)

Starman, The debate was not about whether Jesus died for our sins or not. The question was about why would there not be other forms of life else where? No one said anything about perfection.


No one need to say something in order for me to bring it in as a relevant issue.
Actually, someone brought up the Christians-on-other-worlds subject prior to me and I was responding to his comment. Do you allow that here?

I'm not entirley convinced that Jesus was the son of God. Therefore, the rules of salvation do not apply to anybody. Be it us or other worldy beings.
I think that there was such a person named Jesus, and that perhaps he did believe that he was the son of God. Perhaps, he did receive messages from a powerful being, or maybe he was just a Schitzo who heard voices. Either way, Jesus had some incredible and invaluable lessons and stories to teach, and that they changed the world forever. I bet he didn't know he would still be remembered two thousand years later, who else can say that they will be remembered in the thousand years time.
Will Lincoln be remembered, no. Will Bill Gates be remembered, no.Will Michael Jackson be remembered, no.Richard Branson,Marilyn Monroe,Tom Cruise. No. Will Jesus be remembered in another two thousand years time, yes.
There is no doubt that he was an incredible man, and that he changed the face of humanity and many beliefs. Was he the son of God. Only in the sense that we are all the son of God.
So no, I don't think that a Jesus figure was sent down to all other planets and life created by God.

But then again, I could wrong.

Bill Gates is not God? :D

About Jesus being the son of God.I always say,if it is rubbish,how come it's lasted 2000 years.If the man was a liar,or a fool,then surelly there were enough "intelligent" scholars of the day to say otherwise.Yes he was crucified,as was the Roman form of justice,but only because the chief priests feared him,and worried that their authority would be undermined.Crucifing a "criminal" was the worst act they could possibly have done,as martadom is the result.Maybe they could have simply ignored him?As for miricles,it is also interesting that these are also "written down".Christian propaganda?
No,I think that it was Jesus's time,to be around when he was,and to do the things that he did.Whether this points to a universal force of law,or super-being,I don't know.All I know is that deep down all of us surelly hope that maybe we have "the way" to survive death,as the alternative is not a nice concept.

HI pumpkin!
Right you are: heavens and earth - but other places might name themselves differently - right?
Supposed elsewhere the intelligent creatures were water inhabitants? They might call their world something meaning "water"?
Really, I do hope we aren't the only form of life in the whole universe:
It's too much of a responsibility (that is to destroy the whole universe by ourselves... )
It's also a terrible waste - such a huge place only for us??
But: on the other hand, it will provide us with a lot of possibilities to go to , when we finally are done with this wonderful planet!
Ahuva

Man has such a narrow view of the things around him that we can never now what is the absolute truth or not. Just to look at a star filled sky makes one wonder what is out there.As technology brings us closer to answers to our questions it also changes our minds as to what is the real deal. As our ancestor looked on things and tried to explain what they saw we are still doing the same things they did so long ago, filling in the blanks the best they can with their limited knowledge! Its so very humbling to admit that as knowledgeable and sophisticated as we may think we are, we really don't know anything about the universe or the world we live in. But the thought of a christian from mars... sounds like H.G.Wells has a sequel he's trying to sell to Hollywood!

But the thought of a christian from mars

Have you ever read Robert Henlein's Stranger In a Strange Land? Its one of the all time classics of Sci-fi. Personally I think its required reading for anyone who wants to grok religion.

Well Mars was just an example... we know enough about Mars to know that there aren't Christians there lol

My point was that Christianity believes that Jesus is the Savior. It was also quoted that Man only dies once. And Jesus dies to save our Sins. So, if I lived on another planet (Mars or Tatooine), would I believe that Jesus went to Earth to die for ALL of our Sins or would I believe that Jesus ALSO came to Tatooine to die for our Sins or would I believe in a different Savior that came to die for our Sins?

Christianity doesn't really support the idea that there is other intelligent Life out there. Ya dig?

....Christianity doesnt really support the idea that there is other intelligent Life out there. Ya dig??


God and angels are out there and they are considered intelligent life.
But of course you are referring to material life on other planets.
Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?

Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?

Where does it say there is? Other then Genesis where it talks about God creating the Heavens and Earth, does it refer to other planets in any way?

Where does it say there is? Other then Genesis where it talks about God creating the Heavens and Earth, does it refer to other planets in any way?


You are right. But why should it?
The Bible's purpose is to explain to humans just how God would solve the situation involving sin and death.


Also, please keep in mind that by strict definition angels are extraterrestrial.
In fact, disobedient angels are said to have invaded earth during Noah's day via materializing in human form. So the concept of otherworldly life is not as alien to the Bible as some might imagine. Interestingly, there are even some Bible scholars who consider the Biblical references to the-heavens-proclaiming God's glory-as referring to all of God's faithful servants on other planets.

I'm not saying it should. But I don't think you can ask the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". Instead the question should be; "Where does the Bible talk about life on other planets?"

As for angels being extra-terrestrial, that starts being earth-centric since extra terrestrial simply means not of earth. Its my understanding that the concepts of God and angels living in Heaven refer to a different plane of existence, rather then different planets.

This is a message to Nez.
I wasn't suggesting that Bill Gates was God. I was saying that he will not be remembered in 2 thousand years time and that Jesus will be. I do believe in God, and that when we die we do all go to a heavenly plain. I was just hypothersising (cant spell it) that Jesus may not have been the son of God. He just thought he was. But this would make sense.
If Jesus was the son of God, then why would God choose Earth to send down his son instead of another planet, or did he do it to all planets where he created life?

I'm not saying it should. But I don't think you can ask the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". Instead the question should be; "Where does the Bible talk about life on other planets?"

As for angels being extra-terrestrial, that starts out being earth-centric since extra terrestial simply means not of earth. Its my understanding that the concepts of God and angels living in Heaven refer to a different plane of existence, rather then different planets.


Every book has a theme and the Bible's theme is our salvation.
Detailed information about planets and extraterrestrial life contributes NOTHING to this theme. Furthermore, considering the vast distances which separates us from any other possible life and the hostile conditions which exist in interplanetary and interstellar space, it might just well be that God considers such knowledge temporarily or perhaps permanently none of our business. If so, then I guess we will just have to wait until he decides to reveal these things.



BTW

Many of the aliens which appear in Sci Fi films are spirit-like or angle-like beings who seem to dwell in a nonmaterial realm and who occasionally visit planets. Take Q of Star Trek New Generation for example. Or that playful but cruel pesky alien child with all those powers which Captain Kirk encountered. Or that other alien whom Spock's brother thought was God? How about that ethereal creature who was female and fell in love with the stranded human on that planetoid. I have read of hypothetical alien intelligences which span whole star systems. So the term extraterrestrial is not restricted to material planet-dwelling nonhumans.

Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?

It doesn't exactly. But the point is that Jesus came to Earth to die for OUR Sins.. so if there is life on other planets, either they are not Saved, they don't sin or Jesus is not the ONLY Savior.

The only other explanation would be that Jesus ALSO went to their planet to die for their Sins. However, this would mean that Jesus has lived more than one Life and has died more than once.

Every book has a theme and the Bible's theme is our salvation.

I think you missed the whole point of my response. You asked the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". My point was simply, that the question is one sided. It's a similar trick that pollsters use to get skewed results from their polls. By asking limited questions, the results can be spun in different ways.


So the term extraterrestrial is not restricted to material planet-dwelling nonhumans.

Terra refers to Earth. Extra-Terrestial means outside of Earth. Someone or something that is extra-terrestial is something not of or from this Earth.

Just a thought,Would God cloud our brain with what may be beyond our understanding or would he give us just enough to let us grow to understand the things we see in our world.It must be frustrating when we do a bunch of dumb stuff! (fight among ourselves for stuff we find in the dirt)!:cool: :eek: :)

I think you missed the whole point of my response. You asked the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". My point was simply, that the question is one sided. It's a similar trick that pollsters use to get skewed results from their polls. By asking limited questions, the results can be spun in different ways.



I don't believe that absence of evidence constitutes evidence of absence. Do you?



Terra refers to Earth. Extra-Terrestial means outside of Earth. Someone or something that is extra-terrestial is something not of or from this Earth.

As I said, clearly applicable to angelic creatures.

I don't believe that absence of evidence constitutes evidence of absence. Do you?

You still seem to be missing my point. No I don't believe that. But that's exactly how you phrased your question. By asking the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". You are suggesting that the "absence of evidence constitutes evidence of absence".

Of course there are other planets in this unniverse. How can we believe that in this never ending universe we are the only living planet... mmmm I cant!

Never ending universe? Why, that's like saying the Earth is flat lol :cool:

Well DrJizzle ,
Can you see it's end?
If it's a sphere, you can say it never ends.
As far as I can see, from here, like all of us: it's both ends are a mystery for me!
And so it's birth as well: WHY is there ANYTHING AT ALL??
Millie
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
:)

You still seem to be missing my point. No I don't believe that. But that's exactly how you phrased your question. By asking the question; "Where does the Bible say anything about there not being any life on other planets?". You are suggesting that the "absence of evidence constitutes evidence of absence".

Sorry that you misunderstood the intention of my words.
I believe someone made a reference about the Bible not mentioning life on other planets and I responded by saying that neither does the Bible deny such life. Anything beyond that simple statement is the reader's interpretation.

Hope that clears it up.

Well DrJizzle ,
Can you see it's end?
If it's a sphere, you can say it never ends.
As far as I can see, from here, like all of us: it's both ends are a mistery for me!
And so it's birth as well: WHY is there ANYTHING AT ALL ??????
Millie
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
:)
Well Millie,

No, I cannot see its end. And you are right, in a sense, if it is a sphere, one could say it never ends... just as one could say that the Earth is never ending.

You did not see my birth, but do you believe I was born?

You cannot see my death, but do you believe I will die?

;)

Well Millie,

No, i cannot see its end. and you are right, in a sense, if it is a sphere, one could say it never ends... just as one could say that the Earth is never ending.

You did not see my birth, but do you believe I was born?

You cannot see my death, but do you believe I will die?

;)

If the universe is a sphere, then it would require bounderies which outline it as such as well as location and the location itself would require a location ad infinitum. It's the paradox of infinite regression. Indeed the only way I have found to escape this paradox is to reject dimensionality altogether. Just a thought. : )