"Spirit" Rover Looking For "Other" Life, What if?

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So, what if "Spirit"-the Mars rover- finds that liquid water and the suggestion of life on Mars?

Would this have any theological significance?

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), January 04, 2004

Answers

Not really.Why can't God have made life elsewhere?

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), January 04, 2004.

This is from the Diocese of Lincoln's website: http://www.dioceseoflincoln.org

Would the existence of life on planets other than earth contradict the Catholic Faith?

There is no contradiction of the Catholic Faith involved in this matter. As a matter of fact, many orthodox theologians and even some saints speculated on the possibility of life on other planets. If such life were discovered some day, it would have to be ascertained whether any of such life were rational. If it were, then the next step would be to determine if it has any connection with our primordial ancestors (Adam and Eve). If not, it would then have to be determined what status such rational life would have. Would it have a purely natural destiny, or like us, have a supernatural destiny? Would it be like us, that is, destined for union with God, but then fallen and now redeemed, or would it never have fallen? If fallen, would it be destined to be or have been redeemed and how? Most of all, it would have to be determined if the incarnation and redemption effected by our Creator through Jesus Christ, His divine Son, was the means of redemption for such beings? It is amusing to speculate about such things in the light of what God has revealed to us. Perhaps we shall only know the definitive answers about such things when we will be joined to God in eternity.

Reprinted from August 15, 1997



-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), January 04, 2004.


Just one more example - albeit a theoretical one - where no genuine scientific truth could possibly conflict with Catholic teaching. Truth can't conflict with truth. Of course, if intelligent life, comparable to or more advanced than earthly human life, were found on another planet, that would raise a whole spectrum of compelling new theological questions - but nothing that would challenge the Church's current teaching regarding God's relationship with human beings.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 05, 2004.

I think that just finding any level of life on Mars, or any other heavenly body, is amazing. It also would not surprise me if life existed/exists elswhere besides earth--mortal life, that is.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), January 05, 2004.


Only gear yourself, if any intelligent being exists, we may have to evangelise and save souls (if they would have one)!

-- leslie john (lesliemon@hotmail.com), January 09, 2004.


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