Extra Terrestrial Life

[Masquerouge]

And really, how would the existence of another sentient species in the universe have any effect on the Gospel whatsoever?

Well, what about original sin? If all of God's creation was tainted by that original sin, shouldn't aliens be included as well? And then, does Christ's sacrifice work for them? How can they be saved by believing in Christ, if Christ happened on Earth and they have no idea?

 

[El_Machinae]

Many people think that the presence of non-human sentient life would raise questions about humanity's value in Creation; we've always assumed ourselves to be the most (theologically) important of God's creations.

Another sentient creation would raise questions about whether they've sinned, been redeemed, etc.

This is more mind-boggling only for those who don't already consider many animals to be sentient. Christians/faithful who consider (say) chimps sentient don't really have these same questions. But, if they were more advanced than us, then 'sin' would be a question (as well as who was made in God's image).

 

[puglover]

Well, what about original sin? If all of God's creation was tainted by that original sin, shouldn't aliens be included as well? And then, does Christ's sacrifice work for them? How can they be saved by believing in Christ, if Christ happened on Earth and they have no idea?

Why wouldn't Christ's sacrifice work for them? If they are like we are, they probably sin as well, and would need payment for their sins in God's universe.

Of course, this is all speculative and relative. Perhaps an alien Christ paid for their sins under another covenant. Who knows?

 

[El_Machinae]

We could also guess that they've never sinned.
I mean, dolphins don't need their own Jesus

 

[Masquerouge]

Why wouldn't Christ's sacrifice work for them? If they are like we are, they probably sin as well, and would need payment for their sins in God's universe.

But the way I understood it was that Adam and Eve's original sin affected all of God's creation. Wouldn't that include ETs as well?
And if Christ's sacrifice works for them, they should be made aware of it.

And what about a race of alien that went extinct before Christ came?

Of course, this is all speculative and relative. Perhaps an alien Christ paid for their sins under another covenant. Who knows?

Exactly! That's why it's pretty fun to discuss

 

[puglover]

But the way I understood it was that Adam and Eve's original sin affected all of God's creation. Wouldn't that include ETs as well?
And if Christ's sacrifice works for them, they should be made aware of it.

And what about a race of alien that went extinct before Christ came?

I'll bet if Adam and Eve's sin affected the aliens, they would be informed of that via contact with God on their own planet. Really, looking at alien organized religion would probably be the first clue to figuring out their redemptive state.

Exactly! That's why it's pretty fun to discuss

These topics are always fun.

 

[Masquerouge]

Now, looking at Judaism. Apparently Jews see themselves as God's chosen people. Does that mean that
a. Jews are God's chosen people in the whole Universe
b. each planet has its own chosen people, and for Earth Jews are it?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Now, looking at Judaism. Apparently Jews see themselves as God's chosen people. Does that mean that
a. Jews are God's chosen people in the whole Universe
b. each planet has its own chosen people, and for Earth Jews are it?

Hmm, the Old Testament as portrayed by the Lobster People of Europa, who communicate by secreting fluids. (calls Mel Gibson)

 

[Masquerouge]

Hmm, the Old Testament as portrayed by the Lobster People of Europa, who communicate by secreting fluids. (calls Mel Gibson)

I would definitely read that.

 

[Elrohir]

But why wouldn't there be any mention of them in Genesis, for instance?

Nephilim, anyone?

Hehe, anyway, going beyond the kooky conspiracy theories....I don't see why the absence of any mention of aliens in Genesis is somehow proof that they don't, or do exist, or if they do is any sort of proof that Genesis isn't valid. Honestly, who says it would be in our best interest to learn of such a thing? And besides, the Bible isn't the compendium of all knowledge in the universe. It's the story of some of God's interaction with mankind, culminating with the death of Christ, and a moral code. It's not meant to contain all possible knowledge in all philosophical or scientific areas. The Bible doesn't mention electricity - does that mean the Bible isn't true, or that electricity doesn't really exist? Of course not. I fail to see why this is any different.

Yes, I think that if there are sentient ET's out there, then they would indeed be tainted by Adam's sin. It's possible that they wouldn't be, however. (C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy addresses this possibility, I believe.)

 

[Masquerouge]

Yes, I think that if there are sentient ET's out there, then they would indeed be tainted by Adam's sin. It's possible that they wouldn't be, however. (C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy addresses this possibility, I believe.)

That would be pretty bad for the ET in question. Because some dudes on a far away planet they're not related to swallowed the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, they're screwed?
Their theology should be VERY interesting

 

[Elrohir]

That would be pretty bad for the ET in question. Because some dudes on a far away planet they're not related to swallowed the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, they're screwed?
Their theology should be VERY interesting

Which could mean that they won't be all that friendly towards his descendants.

It's not necessarily so, however. Now that I actually think about it, I'm not so sure that they would be. We say that the natural world (Animals, plants, etc....) were tainted because they were under man's dominion - basically, God put us in charge and we screwed it up. But if we weren't in charge of these sentient aliens, then they wouldn't be affected by it.

A good argument towards that end would be the angels. There are certainly fallen angels, but there are good ones who haven't sinned as well, and weren't affected by Adam's sin - because we weren't at the time higher than the angels in the "Hierarchy of Souls". (As far as I can tell, that term isn't used by Christians, but I think it sounds cool ) So if these aliens are are equals, or superiors in this metaphysical hierarchy, then they wouldn't be affected.

It's interesting to think about, but somehow I doubt that we'll ever find out for sure.

 

[Masquerouge]

Which could mean that they won't be all that friendly towards his descendants.

I can see the movie quote.
"greetings, Earthings. Are you the sons of Adam? Yes? Hold on, then. We have a present for you".

It's not necessarily so, however. Now that I actually think about it, I'm not so sure that they would be. We say that the natural world (Animals, plants, etc....) were tainted because they were under man's dominion - basically, God put us in charge and we screwed it up. But if we weren't in charge of these sentient aliens, then they wouldn't be affected by it.

A good argument towards that end would be the angels. There are certainly fallen angels, but there are good ones who haven't sinned as well, and weren't affected by Adam's sin - because we weren't at the time higher than the angels in the "Hierarchy of Souls". (As far as I can tell, that term isn't used by Christians, but I think it sounds cool ) So if these aliens are are equals, or superiors in this metaphysical hierarchy, then they wouldn't be affected.

It's interesting to think about, but somehow I doubt that we'll ever find out for sure.

Makes sense. Frankly I can see the case going both ways, and I see a rather big theological impact in each case.

 

[Veritass]

Maybe other beings won't look even vaguely like lifeforms as we know them. Maybe our encounter with them won't be physical at all, and will be only mental, as they have evolved past physical communication. Maybe they are directing us right now, and anyone who gets too close to the truth gets their thoughts modif ... huh ... I think I want a doughnut. How about those Lakers?

 

[Elrohir]

I can see the movie quote.
"greetings, Earthings. Are you the sons of Adam? Yes? Hold on, then. We have a present for you".

That would certainly be....interesting. If they really were affected by Adam and Eve's sin, I wouldn't blame them for being mad. Thousands of years of sin, pain, and misery 'cause some chick and her boyfriend on a far off planet couldn't follow a simple rule like "Don't eat that fruit".

Makes sense. Frankly I can see the case going both ways, and I see a rather big theological impact in each case.

Indeed. The impact of meeting sentient extraterrestrials would have a large impact on religion, particularly Christianity. (Religions like Hinduism or Buddhism, not so much, I imagine.) Frankly though, I imagine the long-term changes and response would be rather positive.

 

[admiral-bell]

Maybe other beings won't look even vaguely like lifeforms as we know them. Maybe our encounter with them won't be physical at all, and will be only mental, as they have evolved past physical communication. Maybe they are directing us right now, and anyone who gets too close to the truth gets their thoughts modif ... huh ... I think I want a doughnut. How about those Lakers?

too true. If ET doesn't want to be made known he/she/it wont.

 

[Masquerouge]

Indeed. The impact of meeting sentient extraterrestrials would have a large impact on religion, particularly Christianity. (Religions like Hinduism or Buddhism, not so much, I imagine.) Frankly though, I imagine the long-term changes and response would be rather positive.

Ah! Just thought of one thing: where would aliens stand relative to Man? Man is, according to the Bible, the master of everything that moves. Is that limited to Earth?

 

[JonnyB]

Hmm, the Old Testament as portrayed by the Lobster People of Europa, who communicate by secreting fluids. (calls Mel Gibson)

Oh great, MORE subtitles....

Ah! Just thought of one thing: where would aliens stand relative to Man? Man is, according to the Bible, the master of everything that moves. Is that limited to Earth?

Knowing human nature, if we can dominate them...we will.

 

[Masquerouge]

Knowing human nature, if we can dominate them, we will.

You know actually sometimes I really wish advanced aliens would come to Earth and kick our butt so hard. Just so our inflated ego, well, deflates.

 

[Elrohir]

Ah! Just thought of one thing: where would aliens stand relative to Man? Man is, according to the Bible, the master of everything that moves. Is that limited to Earth?

I don't believe man is specifically called the "master of everything that moves" anywhere in the Bible. Do you have a specific Bible verse on that? It doesn't sound familiar. Anyway, that's an interesting question, and not one that's easily answered. I would assume that they are our equals, though, and I would treat them accordingly unless there was some unexpected reason to treat them differently.