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

[Anonymous]

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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.

I think it started happening when those Darwin fish replaced the Jesus fish on bumper stickers. It's a mystery to me too.

Many religious people don't see a conflict between religion and science. They study both and see the benefits of both.

and think both are accurate?

[Anonymous]

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.

Maybe the aliens have their own religions, that they could share with us.

[Anonymous]

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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 haven’t experienced an interaction with an elf or a fairy or the Lock Ness Monster. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

[Anonymous]

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.

G-d guides the scientific process. G-d helped evolution. That's what I believe. I believe G-d helps scientists and guides them and they can come up with scientific answers and cures etc. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

oh yeah, who were the Nephilim then? Genesis 6. Answer me that one

[Anonymous]

well if aliens do exist, they're obviously going to hell unless they found Jesus on their planet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:well if aliens do exist, they're obviously going to hell unless they found Jesus on their planet.

I don't think this is the Church's current teaching, at least according to this Pope. If you haven't heard of Jesus before because of where you live etc., you can still get into heaven from what I heard.

[Anonymous]

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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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

[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.

Maybe pp did not mean to be witty. Maybe it was a serious question. I, for instance, would say yes, -10 + 15 = 5.

[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.

Maybe pp did not mean to be witty. Maybe it was a serious question. I, for instance, would say yes, -10 + 15 = 5.

The Muslims invented algebra did you know that? Maybe a little OT, but I just had to throw that out there

[Anonymous]

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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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

And yet I don’t. My beliefs easily coexist.

I’m not sure why this threatens you to the point at which you need to declare what and how I believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

And yet I don’t. My beliefs easily coexist.

I’m not sure why this threatens you to the point at which you need to declare what and how I believe.

So how does science explain god?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

And yet I don’t. My beliefs easily coexist.

I’m not sure why this threatens you to the point at which you need to declare what and how I believe.

So how does science explain god?

There is no God. That’s how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

And yet I don’t. My beliefs easily coexist.

I’m not sure why this threatens you to the point at which you need to declare what and how I believe.

So how does science explain god?

Again… why does it have to? God can set science in motion. Science does not need to prove God. Those two ideas aren’t antithetical to each other.

You say I compartmentalize, but I’m assuming you don’t understand faith well enough to see how they coexist.

That’s okay. You do you, and I’ll do me. Look at that. We can also coexist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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?

You don’t - because you compartmentalize.

And yet I don’t. My beliefs easily coexist.

I’m not sure why this threatens you to the point at which you need to declare what and how I believe.

So how does science explain god?

Again… why does it have to? God can set science in motion. Science does not need to prove God. Those two ideas aren’t antithetical to each other.

You say I compartmentalize, but I’m assuming you don’t understand faith well enough to see how they coexist.

That’s okay. You do you, and I’ll do me. Look at that. We can also coexist.

They coexist in two different buckets in your brain. God does god stuff. Science does science stuff.