Charles Munroe writes:
Modern science is making remarkable progress in may areas. The question is what would be the reaction of the religious community if any of the following were to happen :
OK...I will speak as one of the "religious" community that you mention. Note, however, that you did not specifically say "creationists". I believe that God created the Universe, but I am not a strict creationist like Ken Hamm.
1) Contact was made with an extraterrestial civilization? Great. I would be as cautious with them as you would be about relating to any outside influence in your life. I would be nice to them, however.
2) A life form was discovered on Mars?== So what? It would be basic. All life STILL originates with God.
crashfrog writes:
They'd claim that was proof that it took intelligence to create life.
Yep.
berberry writes:
They'd find some obscure passage, re-interpret it and say that the bible has told us about this all along, we just weren't listening.==
The only one that comes to mind that I have heard about was this one:
2 Thess 2:9-10= The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,
And I could see the strict religious extremists run with this one if a U.F.O. or aliens were discovered. Many Christians believe that all U.F.O. sightings are demonic manifestations. While this sounds intellectually naive, I would ask why it is so easy to accept a U.F.O. and so hard to accept a "spiritual reality"?
3) Science is able to create a crude form of life in the laboratory?== You mean, recreate or replicate. Science cannot even cure the common cold!
4) Medical science discovers a means of extending hman life
indefinitely?== And? If one lives 20 years or 200, one still needs to know what they believe and what they are here for.
Ned writes:
Disproving evolution does not prove God in anyway. It isn't possible to prove or disprove God.
Good point, Ned. I agree.
Milagros writes:
Crash you made an interesting point, "If you want God to be included in a scientific theory, then you're going to have to prove that God exists and is avaliable to scientific examination." I think that's a fair position because it insinuates that if this God does exist he lies beyond any scientific examination because "IF" you want God to be included THEN you have to prove He exists and is available to scientific examination.
I think that this can be done on an individual level, as I have done for myself, yet hardly on a societal level. Its like trying to prove love. Love, though it exists, cannot really be proven.
DC85 writes:
Don't you think its a little arrogant especially after they are discover to still think you are the center of the universe and that Human kind is the most perfect life?
No, I think that it is merely absolutist to believe that our God is the center of the Universe..not at all arrogant...somewhat humbling, actually.God is not a product of human imagination. We are His product. So would be the aliens.
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