Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

[dannyboy]

link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_aliens)

By ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press Writer
Tue May 13, 4:07 PM ET



Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom, he said.

The interview, headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother," covered a variety of topics including the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and science, and the theological implications of the existence of alien life.

Funes said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion, touching on a theme of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made exploring the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.

The Bible "is not a science book," Funes said, adding that he believes the Big Bang theory is the most "reasonable" explanation for the creation of the universe. The theory says the universe began billions of years ago in the explosion of a single, super-dense point that contained all matter.

But he said he continues to believe that "God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the result of chance."

Funes urged the church and the scientific community to leave behind divisions caused by Galileo's persecution 400 years ago, saying the incident has "caused wounds."

In 1633 the astronomer was tried as a heretic and forced to recant his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun. Church teaching at the time placed Earth at the center of the universe.

"The church has somehow recognized its mistakes," he said. "Maybe it could have done it better, but now it's time to heal those wounds and this can be done through calm dialogue and collaboration."

Pope John Paul declared in 1992 that the ruling against Galileo was an error resulting from "tragic mutual incomprehension."

The Vatican Observatory has been at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap between religion and science. Its scientist-clerics have generated top-notch research and its meteorite collection is considered one of the world's best.

The observatory, founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is based in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town in the hills outside Rome where the pope has a summer residence. It also conducts research at an observatory at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.

___

[frizgolf]

I can't help but think what should be a discussion about religion and science eventually reaching mutual understandings will devolve into the all-too-typical Christian bashing.
Have at it, O dependable, predictable message board.

[1979]

This is really interesting stuff! I never knew the Vatican had been pushing this so much. It is really encouraging to see!

[miami2112]

teaching science in a catholic school, i find the view of science to go hand-in-hand with the religion.

sorta a "so, this is how god made everything work?". suprisingly enlightening.

science and religion do not have to be at odds with one another.

however, the fundamentalists have made it necessary.

[drougan]

Vatican Observatory? No fuckin way!

(learn something new every day, I guess.)

[jneale]

let me make sure i understand - it is ok to believe in UFO's, but it isn't ok to use a condom.

[drougan]

I thought they were ok with condoms, but not BC Pills.

[jneale]

I thought they were ok with condoms, but not BC Pills.

well, either way, seems silly to have issues with birth control & say it is ok to belive in ET.

[miami2112]

well, either way, seems silly to have issues with birth control & say it is ok to belive in ET.

point taken, but dont all major belief systems have some type of hypocrasy to them?

[Predot listener]

point taken, but dont all major belief systems have some type of hypocrasy to them?

While I don't agree with my church's position on BC, I don't think its hypocritical to be opposed to the use of BC while allowing the belief in aliens. Now, if they didn't believe in the existence of BC, that might be a bit hypocritical...

[miami2112]

While I don't agree with my church's position on BC, I don't think its hypocritical to be opposed to the use of BC while allowing the belief in aliens. Now, if they didn't believe in the existence of BC, that might be a bit hypocritical...

what about aliens on bc? :p

seriously now, another point taken. hadnt thought of that angle.

[drougan]

While I don't agree with my church's position on BC, I don't think its hypocritical to be opposed to the use of BC while allowing the belief in aliens. Now, if they didn't believe in the existence of BC, that might be a bit hypocritical...

How? The two are completely unrelated.

To commit hypocrisy would be to strap on a raincoat for all your amorous endeavors while advising your flock that it is immoral to do so, or personally believing in ET while telling your flock that it's all a crock.

Oh wait, I'm agreeing with you, nevermind.

For the record, silliness does not equal hypocrisy.

[jneale]

While I don't agree with my church's position on BC, I don't think its hypocritical to be opposed to the use of BC while allowing the belief in aliens. Now, if they didn't believe in the existence of BC, that might be a bit hypocritical...

yeah, it is ok to belive in ET, but not a gay person...

[dannyboy]

yeah, it is ok to belive in ET, but not a gay person...

What about gay ETs?

[silentpaul]

point taken, but dont all major belief systems have some type of hypocrasy to them?

Like educators who can't spell, punctuate, or capitalize properly? :p

[miami2112]

Like educators who can't spell, punctuate, or capitalize properly? :p

i let the little people take care of that for me.

thanks!

[frizgolf]

yeah, it is ok to belive in ET, but not a gay person...

Still apples and oranges.

[wileE]

Maybe the church endorses BC while having sex with ETs?

[frizgolf]

Maybe the church endorses BC while having sex with ETs?

Only gay ETs.

[silentpaul]

You also gotta worry about ETSTD's...

[Buzzstein]

yeah, it is ok to belive in ET, but not a gay person...

I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church believes in homosexuals. Anyway I don't think they are being contradictory here. Sure the Vatican's opposition to contraception and homosexual behavior is still stupid, but that doesn't have shit to do with science or the belief in extraterrestrials. I think it's kind of funny that people are surprised that the Catholic Church believes in science. Science and religion operate on two different planes in my opinion. They can run parallel to each other, but I don't think they should ever intersect...or you get stupid bullshit like Intelligent Design.

[epeolatry]

I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church believes in homosexuals. Anyway I don't think they are being contradictory here. Sure the Vatican's opposition to contraception and homosexual behavior is still stupid, but that doesn't have shit to do with science or the belief in extraterrestrials. I think it's kind of funny that people are surprised that the Catholic Church believes in science. Science and religion operate on two different planes in my opinion. They can run parallel to each other, but I don't think they should ever intersect...or you get stupid bullshit like Intelligent Design.

They believe we exist-- but they say we're bad news.

[DaHood]

Maybe the church endorses BC while having sex with ETs?

I never felt this way before

http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/5e_045RubyBlonde.jpg

with a human

[Slar]

Short answer: One would think that the Catholic Church would have more pressing problems to deal with.

[Predot listener]

Short answer: One would think that the Catholic Church would have more pressing problems to deal with.

What more pressing issue would the director of the Vatican Observatory have on his plate that he should be devoting his time to instead? I'm pretty sure he's not really being asked to oversee the Church's handling of the sex scandal.

[drougan]

I never felt this way before

http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimages/5e_045RubyBlonde.jpg

with a human


Nice post.

[PeterABnny]

I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church believes in homosexuals. Anyway I don't think they are being contradictory here. Sure the Vatican's opposition to contraception and homosexual behavior is still stupid, but that doesn't have shit to do with science or the belief in extraterrestrials. I think it's kind of funny that people are surprised that the Catholic Church believes in science. Science and religion operate on two different planes in my opinion. They can run parallel to each other, but I don't think they should ever intersect...or you get stupid bullshit like Intelligent Design.

Well put! :)

[PeterABnny]

Only gay ETs.

On gay BC.

[drougan]

On gay BC.

Who needs BC if you're gay?

I thought that was what you might call an inherent consequence.
:confused:

[ahart2001]

The church does believe in homosexuality. However, it just does not view it as "moral". The reasoning behind it is the church's teaching that sex is to be for procreation, not pleasure. As was posted earlier, who needs BC if you are gay? It does not support the procreation purpose. That's the church's stance. (not saying I believe in it personally).

As for condoms ... the church does not "approve" of condoms because of the aforementioned procreation aspect. However it has come to tolerate their use because of the problems in the world today. As long as the couple is married and is open ot having children.

Their stance on BC is similar. However, it often gets mixed up in the abortion debate. Alot of people's first introduction to BC was originally the morning after pill. Since the morning after pill took effect after conception, the church viewed it as a form of abortion because they believe life begins at conception. The newer BC prevents conception, so it is more in line with condoms.

Again, I do not endorse or state agreement with church policies, but just wanted to toos out the reasoning behind the beliefs. Theology is one of my hobbies/interests.

[Buzzstein]

They believe we exist-- but they say we're bad news.

Yeah, that's basically what I'm saying. Technically it's only homosexual acts that are considered sinful not the homosexual individual themselves, but yeah it really comes out to about the same thing.It really is stupid. You are allowed to be gay. You just aren't allowed to act like it. :rolleyes: Just look at all the repressed gay priests.

[epeolatry]

Yeah, that's basically what I'm saying. Technically it's only homosexual acts that are considered sinful not the homosexual individual themselves, but yeah it really comes out to about the same thing.It really is stupid. You are allowed to be gay. You just aren't allowed to act like it. :rolleyes: Just look at all the repressed gay priests.

I'm certain there are repressed gay priests out there-- but before anyone conflates your comment w/ the scandals of clergy sexually abusing young children, let's remember that most men who sexually abuse male children self identify as heterosexual. Sexual abuse is about power, not just sex.

[Predot listener]

There are plenty of gay priests who never act on their sexual desires, just as their are plenty of straight priests who do likewise. And there are those who do.

I never understood why the Church made a clarification and took a more hardline approach in recent years about gay priests. If you're making them commit to a life of celibacy, what does it matter what kind of sex they're not having?

[aqualou]

i know what's coming next . . .

http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/301/5/0/Alien_Pope_by_AuraHeart_by_The_Weird_Group.png

[purple_octopus]

The reasoning behind it is the church's teaching that sex is to be for procreation, not pleasure.
I'm largely staying out of this thread, but... Having been through Catholic Pre-Cana, I can tell you that you are way off base here. The Church definitely teaches that pleasure is a part of sex. (But only within the confines of boring hetero marriage where both partners are "open to life". So yes, procreation is part of it, but it's hardly the only part.) Shlep can tell you all about that one time our priest was giving him the lecture on how important it was to get me off... Best. Priest. Ever. Anyway, we had to listen to tapes and read shit too. All about sex being fun and stuff. Yay sex.

[C. Doves]

The post right before this one is some funny-ass shit. :D

[frizgolf]

Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.


Well, only because that alien life may indeed be God.

Okay. You're a 10th grader with a science project. You have a runaway project that created life, a life you have some control over, and you can understand. Their communication skills are rudimentary, and they've not yet figured out how to leave their environment.
You don't know how to keep this life from proliferating, but there's a good chance they'll stay within their confines under your stewardship.
Are you gonna let 'em know you're God? Are you gonna clue 'em in to the fact you're aware of them and their myriad problems? Hell, no, you don't wanna deal with the ethics of each individual. You're gonna watch 'em as they try to self-preserve, hoping they figure out how to do it better than you obviously haven't figured out yet.
We're floating in space, a schoolkid's science experiment gone awry.
God (Buddha, Mohammed, whatever) knows what we're up to. He just doesn't wanna answer to us.

[DaHood]

God (Buddha, Mohammed, whatever) knows what we're up to. He just doesn't wanna answer to us.He's too busy laughing his ass off to answer.

[monkey neck]

You also gotta worry about ETSTD's...

Oh, man, you and friz may have made me wake up my daughter by laughing too loud. Thanks alot.:mad::D

[Duemellon]

God is dead.

ET went home.

Being gay makes happy sinners.

Abuse is bad.

Puns are great.

[frizgolf]

Oh, man, you and friz may have made me wake up my daughter by laughing too loud. Thanks alot.:mad::D

It's just a little service we provide. :)

[silentpaul]

It's just a little service we provide. :)

http://www.international-barrister.com/Bilder/Bowing-Man.jpg

[monkey neck]

Jerks, you did it again.:D