Do you believe in aliens, extra-terrestrials, life on other planets, etc?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think your question assumes that faith and science are diametrically opposed. But most people of faith also believe in science and evolution and the Big Bang Theory. So for most religious people, I think there's no conflict between their conception of God and the idea that life may have evolved on other planets.

I have heard this response thousands of times and still not clear what it means. What is God's role in evolution and science? It sounds like an easy way out of question you can't answer logically.

PP here. People believe different things about the role of God in creation and God's role in our ongoing existence. I (and I think plenty of religious people) believe that God created the spark of the Big Bang and everything after that was evolution. I don't see any contradiction in that case between God's role in the creation of the universe (the initial spark or "divine inspiration") and scientific theories about the origins of life and evolution.

I don't know if I believe in aliens, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if there is other life out there, and it wouldn't cause me to question my faith.

But Big Bang was 13.8 billion years ago. God is that old?

Why not?

Ok, so that's news to me. So you are saying God created Big Bang too? 13.8 billion years ago? I mean this is a story just keeps turning.

What story keeps turning? None of the responses from religious posters so far have indicated a belief that God is a particular age or a literal belief in the Creation story. If you're referring to fundamentalist creationism stories, that's your own misunderstanding of the majority of religious believers in favor of a fundamentalist minority of believers. I'm sorry that it's news to you that the majority of people of faith are actually also perfectly rational science-believing human beings like yourself.

ok, so you guys (believers) don't even agree on this. I mean my take of your message is that fundamental minority of believers are wrong and majority of believers (like yourself) are correct (i.e., god created big bang 13.8 billion years ago, and god created the universe too). when was adam and eve came around then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no proof but I feel with as vast as the universe is, there is no way they are not out there

Yes. That's what I think as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your question assumes that faith and science are diametrically opposed. But most people of faith also believe in science and evolution and the Big Bang Theory. So for most religious people, I think there's no conflict between their conception of God and the idea that life may have evolved on other planets.

I have heard this response thousands of times and still not clear what it means. What is God's role in evolution and science? It sounds like an easy way out of question you can't answer logically.

PP here. People believe different things about the role of God in creation and God's role in our ongoing existence. I (and I think plenty of religious people) believe that God created the spark of the Big Bang and everything after that was evolution. I don't see any contradiction in that case between God's role in the creation of the universe (the initial spark or "divine inspiration") and scientific theories about the origins of life and evolution.

I don't know if I believe in aliens, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if there is other life out there, and it wouldn't cause me to question my faith.

But Big Bang was 13.8 billion years ago. God is that old?

Why not?

Ok, so that's news to me. So you are saying God created Big Bang too? 13.8 billion years ago? I mean this is a story just keeps turning.

What story keeps turning? None of the responses from religious posters so far have indicated a belief that God is a particular age or a literal belief in the Creation story. If you're referring to fundamentalist creationism stories, that's your own misunderstanding of the majority of religious believers in favor of a fundamentalist minority of believers. I'm sorry that it's news to you that the majority of people of faith are actually also perfectly rational science-believing human beings like yourself.

ok, so you guys (believers) don't even agree on this. I mean my take of your message is that fundamental minority of believers are wrong and majority of believers (like yourself) are correct (i.e., god created big bang 13.8 billion years ago, and god created the universe too). when was adam and eve came around then?

DP and an atheist. Many believers view the bible as metaphorical and not literal. Ask them first before you beat them up. Not all of them are "not Adam and Steve!" idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who consider themselves people of faith. What is your religious background, and what is your belief regarding aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets? And how do you reconcile this with what your faith teaches?

I don't agree to interpretations traditional scholars of my faith have. I don't believe in any intelligent aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets. If there were any, we would've met by now.

you're thinking to small though. There maybe other universes, other realms, other dimensions. Don't believe me? Then let me ask you where heaven is.

I don't care to worry about realms me or no other mentally stable person in the world have experienced in known history of humans. Imho heaven and hell aren't literal places, just concepts, interpreted wrongly by people conditioned by religious education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who consider themselves people of faith. What is your religious background, and what is your belief regarding aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets? And how do you reconcile this with what your faith teaches?

I don't agree to interpretations traditional scholars of my faith have. I don't believe in any intelligent aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets. If there were any, we would've met by now.

you're thinking to small though. There maybe other universes, other realms, other dimensions. Don't believe me? Then let me ask you where heaven is.

I don't care to worry about realms me or no other mentally stable person in the world have experienced in known history of humans. Imho heaven and hell aren't literal places, just concepts, interpreted wrongly by people conditioned by religious education.

You sure try to speak from a place of authority. Tell me… what’s your proof?

There’s much I haven’t experienced in life. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in them.

I haven’t experienced an interaction with an alien. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your question assumes that faith and science are diametrically opposed. But most people of faith also believe in science and evolution and the Big Bang Theory. So for most religious people, I think there's no conflict between their conception of God and the idea that life may have evolved on other planets.

I have heard this response thousands of times and still not clear what it means. What is God's role in evolution and science? It sounds like an easy way out of question you can't answer logically.

PP here. People believe different things about the role of God in creation and God's role in our ongoing existence. I (and I think plenty of religious people) believe that God created the spark of the Big Bang and everything after that was evolution. I don't see any contradiction in that case between God's role in the creation of the universe (the initial spark or "divine inspiration") and scientific theories about the origins of life and evolution.

I don't know if I believe in aliens, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if there is other life out there, and it wouldn't cause me to question my faith.

But Big Bang was 13.8 billion years ago. God is that old?

Why not?

Ok, so that's news to me. So you are saying God created Big Bang too? 13.8 billion years ago? I mean this is a story just keeps turning.

What story keeps turning? None of the responses from religious posters so far have indicated a belief that God is a particular age or a literal belief in the Creation story. If you're referring to fundamentalist creationism stories, that's your own misunderstanding of the majority of religious believers in favor of a fundamentalist minority of believers. I'm sorry that it's news to you that the majority of people of faith are actually also perfectly rational science-believing human beings like yourself.

ok, so you guys (believers) don't even agree on this. I mean my take of your message is that fundamental minority of believers are wrong and majority of believers (like yourself) are correct (i.e., god created big bang 13.8 billion years ago, and god created the universe too). when was adam and eve came around then?

DP and an atheist. Many believers view the bible as metaphorical and not literal. Ask them first before you beat them up. Not all of them are "not Adam and Steve!" idiots.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you believe -10 + 15 = 5?

I don't even know what your point is. What are you trying to say? Your wit is lost in translation.

PP is mad he doesn’t have a sense of humor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you believe -10 + 15 = 5?

I don't even know what your point is. What are you trying to say? Your wit is lost in translation.

PP is mad he doesn’t have a sense of humor

what's so funny about -10+15=5? or 1+1=2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your question assumes that faith and science are diametrically opposed. But most people of faith also believe in science and evolution and the Big Bang Theory. So for most religious people, I think there's no conflict between their conception of God and the idea that life may have evolved on other planets.

Good response. I don’t know why my faith would change if we found our life exists on other planets.

I’m often surprised by the assumption that my faith means I don’t believe in science.

It's definitely unfair to assume that of you before you are asked. 100%. But I am sure you understand why people make that assumption, don't you?

As for OP's question, like everything else it is best to look for evidence before making a conclusion. The most compelling type of argument I have seen is the Drake Equation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation which relies on the incredible vastness of the universe, and since we know life exists in one spot, states it is likely to exist in another.

I don't really buy into that myself, even though it is an interesting thought experiment.

I’m the PP. No, I don’t understand why people may assume I don’t believe in science. There are people of faith throughout the scientific community. The Big Bang was theorized by a Catholic priest. NIH Director Collins wrote a book reconciling faith and science called The Language of God. A good friend has a PhD in Chemistry and is one of the most religious people I know.

Here on DCUM, I’ve been told I CAN’T believe in science if I believe in God.

I don’t see how today’s hearing would have any impact on my faith.

Yup. Scientists can “believe” in both if they compartmentalize.

Why the need to compartmentalize? I have no problem seeing how God can have a guiding hand in science. A PP did a good job already demonstrating that.

If you don’t believe in God, that’s fine. I just don’t see why you get to comment on others’ beliefs.

And if you flip that around? How do you use science to explain God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you believe -10 + 15 = 5?

I don't even know what your point is. What are you trying to say? Your wit is lost in translation.

PP is mad he doesn’t have a sense of humor

what's so funny about -10+15=5? or 1+1=2?

IYKYK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you believe -10 + 15 = 5?

I don't even know what your point is. What are you trying to say? Your wit is lost in translation.

PP is mad he doesn’t have a sense of humor

what's so funny about -10+15=5? or 1+1=2?

NP. There was a thread about Mary's age that claimed she was younger than Jesus by adding negative numbers for before Jesus was born because BC time is negative? I guess it got deleted, I don't see it now. It was a joke, I guess, but I don't think anyone ever said they found it funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your question assumes that faith and science are diametrically opposed. But most people of faith also believe in science and evolution and the Big Bang Theory. So for most religious people, I think there's no conflict between their conception of God and the idea that life may have evolved on other planets.

Good response. I don’t know why my faith would change if we found our life exists on other planets.

I’m often surprised by the assumption that my faith means I don’t believe in science.

It's definitely unfair to assume that of you before you are asked. 100%. But I am sure you understand why people make that assumption, don't you?

As for OP's question, like everything else it is best to look for evidence before making a conclusion. The most compelling type of argument I have seen is the Drake Equation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation which relies on the incredible vastness of the universe, and since we know life exists in one spot, states it is likely to exist in another.

I don't really buy into that myself, even though it is an interesting thought experiment.

I’m the PP. No, I don’t understand why people may assume I don’t believe in science. There are people of faith throughout the scientific community. The Big Bang was theorized by a Catholic priest. NIH Director Collins wrote a book reconciling faith and science called The Language of God. A good friend has a PhD in Chemistry and is one of the most religious people I know.

Here on DCUM, I’ve been told I CAN’T believe in science if I believe in God.

I don’t see how today’s hearing would have any impact on my faith.

Yup. Scientists can “believe” in both if they compartmentalize.

Why the need to compartmentalize? I have no problem seeing how God can have a guiding hand in science. A PP did a good job already demonstrating that.

If you don’t believe in God, that’s fine. I just don’t see why you get to comment on others’ beliefs.

And if you flip that around? How do you use science to explain God?

Why do I have to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you believe -10 + 15 = 5?

I don't even know what your point is. What are you trying to say? Your wit is lost in translation.

PP is mad he doesn’t have a sense of humor

what's so funny about -10+15=5? or 1+1=2?

NP. There was a thread about Mary's age that claimed she was younger than Jesus by adding negative numbers for before Jesus was born because BC time is negative? I guess it got deleted, I don't see it now. It was a joke, I guess, but I don't think anyone ever said they found it funny.

Yeah I remember that. It was a stupid joke there, it is still stupid here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who consider themselves people of faith. What is your religious background, and what is your belief regarding aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets? And how do you reconcile this with what your faith teaches?

I don't agree to interpretations traditional scholars of my faith have. I don't believe in any intelligent aliens/extra-terrestrials/life on other planets. If there were any, we would've met by now.

you're thinking to small though. There maybe other universes, other realms, other dimensions. Don't believe me? Then let me ask you where heaven is.

I don't care to worry about realms me or no other mentally stable person in the world have experienced in known history of humans. Imho heaven and hell aren't literal places, just concepts, interpreted wrongly by people conditioned by religious education.

You sure try to speak from a place of authority. Tell me… what’s your proof?

There’s much I haven’t experienced in life. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in them.

I haven’t experienced an interaction with an alien. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

I only have authority on my thoughts, not putting out scholarly articles for peer review. If no human has ever experienced something, its pretty much a hypothetical. I do believe in a higher power, just somewhat skeptical of how organized religions interpret it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course. The universe is enormous. The factors that allow evolution to happen here and produce intelligent life are also present in other places. There has to be other intelligent life out there. Will we ever meet them? I doubt it. The universe is enormous.