And I thought the story on the raid on immigrants at the kosher meat-packing plant in Iowa was weird….
Is it a full moon?
(I know it’s not; j/k)

As a sidebar to this article I was expecting another. The LDS is working with the Hubble telescope people to attach a Supersoaker water cannon for baptising any aliens before they enter our atmosphere.

Jest, LMAO!

Has anyone by any chance read C.S. Lewis’ “Space Trilogy?” I haven’t, but from what I’ve read it basically addressed this very question—how would God relate to beings on other planets? “Narnia” was really just a fantasy version of the same question, how God would relate to a world where magic was real.
Now, it seems silly, but it really answers some interesting theological questions. If aliens do exist, what does that mean for different religions? For Christianity, for example, does that mean Jesus had to have Incarnated over and over again on different planets? For Judaism, does this necessitate that every species has to have a “Chosen People” corresponding to the Jews? If Hindus and pagans believe that different rivers and mountains on Earth have their own spirits or gods, are humans obliged to make room for Olympus Mons’ patron deity? For that matter, if we find out that every single species has a religion, does that cast doubts on atheism? Some interesting questions…
God bless.

The Virgin Mary was free from sin from conception onward. Does that mean she was an (cue the ominous theramin music)… ALIEN?!?

So if a species reproduces asexually would that mean it didn’t have (drumroll) original sin, according to the RCC?
Do dogs have original sin because they reproduce sexually? Dolphins? Chimps? Flowers?
If other species aren’t Christian would that cast doubts on Christianity?

ecl,
Glad you like my twisted humor.
Joey,
I have quite a collection of religious sci/fi. Not only have I read the “Space Trilogy”, I have read many othrs. I have used Ray Bradbury’s “Christus Apollo” at Christmas time with youth groups and a few othrs. I have them go out on a clear night and stare at the stars as i read Bradbury’s poem. It is an excellent piece and many of the kids have gotten something from the experience. You can find the poem i his book, “The Body Electric”, as well as in the (out of print – sadly) anthology, “Other Worlds / Other Gods”.
The sub topic of religion in the genre of sci fi or speculative fiction is larger than most people think. There are precious few of us geeks-in-clerical-robes who appreciate these books.
Any others out there?
Hello!
Hello!

I am more than happy to make room on my alter for Olympus Mons’ patron deity.

Unless we find intelligent life in a place there are no heads or operational equivalents for gods to exist in. Where there are heads there may be gods.

nnmns
I must be incredibly thick today. I cannot figure out what you are saying. I think it is one of two things. First, God is a product of our mind/imagination/intellect. Or two, you can find God in the restroom on a ship. You wrote, “we find intelligent life in a place there are no heads or operational equivalents for gods to exist in.” This makes me think of the restroom scene in the Cantina from “Star Wars”. Have I missed something? I think I need to clear my mind a bit.

Who knew the Vatican had an astronomer? I mean, it’s only been a little over a decade since they actually accepted that the Earth revolves around the sun. (Pace Galileo!)

When Copernicus published his book (before Galileo) putting forth his heliocentric theory the Pope loved it and was interested in knowing more. Galileo was just arrogant and demanded that the Pope declare his (Galileo’s) theory correct. He was put under house arrest more for insubordination and disrespect than any real heresy.

“Who knew the Vatican had an astronomer? I mean, it’s only been a little over a decade since they actually accepted that the Earth revolves around the sun. (Pace Galileo!)”
Well, the fact that they got so worked up over him implies they were always rather interested in space, doesn’t it? I do wonder about that job, though…I mean, the Vatican is the size of a city block, if they have an actual big telescope is must be outside the country…
“If other species aren’t Christian would that cast doubts on Christianity?”
Well, if this Vatican guy’s theory is right, the aliens SHOULDN’T be Christian, because not needing salvation, they wouldn’t have needed Jesus to ever come. But they might be Trinitarians. Or possibly Jewish. I suppose, though, that assuming a monotheistic God, they should be monotheistic, unless they DID Fall like humanity, in which case they could be polytheistic…see, this is all very interesting to think about! And Jestrfyl, I’ll have to look into some of those stories you suggested.
God bless!

jestrfyl,
Have you read “The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell? Jesuits make first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.

sonsonte,
I have it but I have not finished it. There is at least one sequel to it, and I believe ia third is either planned or has also been published. Another series I enjoy (blasphemous though it might seem to some) is by James Morrow. He really twists some of our understandings, but makes good points. Two of the titles are “Towing Jehovah” and “Only begotten daughter” – I believe they have just been reissued. Also, James(?) Feintuch wrote a whole series of hard core sci/fi novels, “Children of …” that deals quite directly with the implications for Christians in Space (not to be confused with the Muppets, “Pigs in Space”).

j, I don’t blame you for being confused. I slipped in an extra “no” in my post, but your first guess was right. Where there’s a head or functional equivalent with enough intelligence there might be a god in some of those heads, based on our sample of one such species whose thinking we sort of understand.
And I, too, am going to try to get one or two of those books you mentioned when I have more time for such reading.

adamisp,
The Pope was not quite so enthusiastic about Copernicus’ theory. He squashed it almost until Copernicus died – and then it was published with a papal disclaimer. Luther thought Copernicus – a bishop from Krakow – was a greater heretic than he. Henry 8th thought Copernicus was nuts, but not as dangerous a Luther. Meanwhile Sulieyman watched all this from his throne in the Ottoman Empire (a.k.a. Turkey) and played each of the parties off the other – with the hopes of making some big economic scores. The early 16th century was quite a whilde tyme!