Do you believe there is life on other planets?

[Knight]

Well do you? (http://www.theologyonline.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=555897#post555897)

And if so... why?

And if not.... why not?

[1PeaceMaker]

Yes.

I do think so, because why would God put all those nice planets out there, and do nothing with them. He's a smart dude, and he knows how to make the best use of His real-estate.

It would be nice to say all the weird folk came from somewhere out there, but I am afraid we'll just have to take responsibility for them. LOL

PeaceMaker

[Clete]

I voted "maybe".

If the question had been, "Do you believe there is intelligent life on other planets?" then I would have answered no.

However, as asked, I would have to say that I don't know whether or not organisms of one kind or another live on other planets. But other creatures like humans? Definately not.

Resting in Him,
Clete :Clete:

[JosephofMessiah]

Originally posted by Knight

Title: Do you believe there is life on other planets?

And if so... why?

And if not.... why not?


At one time I didn't care about this but now I think it important to denote the extreme possibility that not only life but intelligent life might exist in other places in our universe.

Base only upon the number of stars out there, it is a GREAT possibility that there is more life beyond our world.

Looking at the hubble deep space image, and how many galaxies are contained in the sky at arms length behind a grain of sand, well, it simply demonstrates there is much chance at life evolving upon those various worlds.

No one can answer a definite either way of course, but there is an exceedingly great possibility that "they/them" exist.

Oh, and on a historical sense, when a more advanced people meet a less advanced people, the less advanced are either destroyed or are (their culture/society/ect) destroyed/enslaved. So it would behoove mankind to always respect the idea that we are possibly not the only fish in the sea and to never have an ego so great that we do not question always or we could end up as those with the ego so great to declare their civilization "the best."

But, admit it, First Contact (if it took place in our day) would be of ULTIMATE meaning, first question of course out of everyone's mouth, "Did you guys seed a world a few billion years ago?"

[Granite]

Scripture is silent on the subject; so, just from a biblical perspective, it's impossible to speak on this issue with any dogmatism.

I voted "maybe." I like the idea that there's something else out there, and I think we'd have much to learn (good and bad) from an alien civilization should we ever make contact with one.

[Chileice]

I would say probably. If there is intelligent life I am sure God has also worked to rescue any race that exists. I hope that in heaven we can somehow get to know the whole universe. That ought to keep us entertained for eternity!

[Aimiel]

If there is, Christ died for them.

[Sozo]

Originally posted by Aimiel

If there is, Christ died for them. :thumb:

[Knight]

Originally posted by Aimiel

If there is, Christ died for them. Hmmmm.... :think:

What if the life on other planets is like some sort of a bacteria that helped keep a planet clean or performed some other function like germs do here on earth?

Christ didn't die for bacteria did He?

[Sozo]

Originally posted by Knight

Hmmmm.... :think:

What if the life on other planets is like some sort of a bacteria that helped keep a planet clean or performed some other function like germs do here on earth?

Christ didn't die for bacteria did He? Define "life".

[Aimiel]

Personally, I believe that Satan has something planned to fool many by use of a 'flying saucer' incident(s) which will be televised around the world, and lead many into hell, many who we might be able to stabilize in The Word before its too late. I don't think that all the 'hints' and interest the world over is for nothing.

[Granite]

Originally posted by Aimiel

Personally, I believe that Satan has something planned to fool many by use of a 'flying saucer' incident(s) which will be televised around the world, and lead many into hell, many who we might be able to stabilize in The Word before its too late. I don't think that all the 'hints' and interest the world over is for nothing.

Hasn't he already fooled a lot of people with UFOs already, assuming that UFOs are in fact demonic?

[Aimiel]

Ahh, yes, indeed he has. Many died in their foolish pursuit of them at the top of a skyscraper in Independence Day, but I believe that many will fall into a huge trap, by being fooled by 'creatures from another planet' who will lead a very large number of people to their physical doom, similar to what the cult that committed mass suicide to hitch a ride on a comet did. I think that was just a rehersal for what is coming.

[Christine]

I voted "maybe" I remember hearing about some single celled organisms or other simple life forms found out in outer space.

[philosophizer]

Maybe.

And like others have said, it's an important distinction to make between just life and intelligent life.

But there's no point in spending too much though on it until they show up and say hi. If they are out there, they were made by God too. (And that's GOD-- not some other planet's Mormons. :chuckle: )

[Crow]

Maybe.

The Bible is silent on this subject.

[BillyBob]

Yes.

Life likely permeates the Universe and is probably quite common.

[godrulz]

Speculation vs Scripture?:

i) The earth is unique, as is man in the universe. We are the apple of His eye. He created us in His image and redeemed us to rule and reign with Him. Scripture would probably have alluded to the reality of extraterrestrials. (I think this is Billy Graham's position, if it matters)

ii) UFOs etc. are natural phenomenon or demonic/occult. If there is intelligent life, it is under God's control and part of His creation.

iii) Those who come out of the Great Tribulation in their natural bodies will go into the millenium/earthly paradise. They will procreate and eventually populate the planets in eternity. Believers in glorified bodies in the New Jerusalem will access earth and the universe.

Negatively,

- we did not pre-exist as spirit children before being born (church father taught=Origen, LDS).

- Von Daniken's "Chariots of the gods' has been debunked as bad theology/science.

- Science fiction is interesting, but does not explain reality or origins adequately.

[Granite]

"The earth is unique, as is man in the universe. We are the apple of His eye. He created us in His image and redeemed us to rule and reign with Him."

All true. None of this precludes the existence of intelligent life elsewhere, however.

"Scripture would probably have alluded to the reality of extraterrestrials."

Well...that's arguable, to put it mildly. Scripture doesn't give us information on a lot of things (Jesus' youth, for eample). Doesn't mean he didn't have one; likewise, scripture's silence on this topic is just that. Silence. So all we have to work with is really nothing that says, one way or another, if intelligent life is out there.

"UFOs etc. are natural phenomenon or demonic/occult."

Again, very arguable. SOME sightings are probably natural phenomenon. Some MAY be demonic. Others...well, others still can't be explained, not by Project Bluebook (surprise), not by skeptics. Crop circles, for example, have actually led to new studies in geometry and mathematics. (See the wikipedia article on crop circles.) Pretty clever hoaxers. So, all I'm saying is that dismissing UFOs completely out of hand as either "natural" or "demons" assumes, for one thing, that demons have that kind of power; and it also assumes that throughout most of human history, lights have been seen in the sky and have done little more than prank and toy with mankind.

UFOs aside there is also the "Mothman" incident (read the book; ignore the movie) and a plethora of weird, bizarre, unexplainable phenomenon--"Fortean" events--that are clearly not "natural" or easily explained. To write all of this off as "demons!" is the easy thing to do, yes. But maybe it's not the BEST explanation.

"Those who come out of the Great Tribulation in their natural bodies will go into the millenium/earthly paradise. They will procreate and eventually populate the planets in eternity. Believers in glorified bodies in the New Jerusalem will access earth and the universe."

Assuming, of course, that pre-trib eschatology is correct.

"We did not pre-exist as spirit children."

Well, maybe yes and maybe no, but I don't see how this ties into extraterrestrial life.

"'Chariots of the gods' has been debunked as bad theology/science"

Von Daniken wasn't on the up and up, true. Although others who unfortunately have been lumped in with von Daniken do ask questions about archeology and man's ancient history that still haven't been explained (there are various "erratics" throughout history, such as the Babylon Battery, Easter Island, and perhaps even the pyramids and sphinx that modern archeology cannot account for).

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by godrulz

Speculation vs Scripture?:

i) The earth is unique, as is man in the universe. We are the apple of His eye. He created us in His image and redeemed us to rule and reign with Him. Scripture would probably have alluded to the reality of extraterrestrials. (I think this is Billy Graham's position, if it matters)

The guys who wrote the Bible had no idea how old the Earth is, how big the Universe is or anything about evolution and modern science. The Bible is not the place to look for such answers.

ii) UFOs etc. are natural phenomenon or demonic/occult. If there is intelligent life, it is under God's control and part of His creation.

Whether or not UFO's are actually visitors from 'elsewhere' does not negate the probability of life exuding from every corner of the Universe.

It is unlikely that Earth has ever been visited by intelligent life due to the vast distances between stars.

iii) Those who come out of the Great Tribulation in their natural bodies will go into the millenium/earthly paradise. They will procreate and eventually populate the planets in eternity. Believers in glorified bodies in the New Jerusalem will access earth and the universe.\

Hey, maybe you should try publishing your work in a Sci Fi magazine.

Negatively,

- we did not pre-exist as spirit children (Origen, LDS).

:confused:

- Von Daniken's "Chariots of the gods' has been debunked as bad theology/science.

Again, that has nothing to do with the probability of abundant life.

- Science fiction is interesting, but does not explain reality or origens adequately.

That is why it's called science fiction. :rolleyes:

[Christine]

Originally posted by BillyBob

The guys who wrote the Bible had no idea how old the Earth is, how big the Universe is or anything about evolution and modern science. The Bible is not the place to look for such answers.

The Guy who wrote the Bible knew everything, including how big the Universe is, how old the Earth is, etc.

[BillyBob]

Hmmmm....I was under the impression that the Bible had many authors. :think:

So who is the lone author, Moses, Paul or Solomon?

If he knew everything, why didn't he write it down?

[Granite]

Originally posted by Christine

The Guy who wrote the Bible knew everything, including how big the Universe is, how old the Earth is, etc.

This may be true, but such information is not to be found in scripture.

[godrulz]

Originally posted by BillyBob

Hmmmm....I was under the impression that the Bible had many authors. :think:

So who is the lone author, Moses, Paul or Solomon?

If he knew everything, why didn't he write it down?

66 books written over centuries by about 40 authors. There were many authors, but what they wrote included revelation from the one Divine author, God. He superintended the formation of His Word. The authors wrote as they were moved on by the Holy Spirit. This is not transcription. Their personalities and styles came through (human element). Inspiration= God=breathed= God ensured that what He wanted recorded was recorded accurately. We now need illumination to understand the inspired revelation.

The lone author is ultimately God Himself. He progressively revealed truth through men across cultures and centuries. The unity, accuracy, prophecy, etc. of the Bible points to Divine origins. This does not negate the use of men who were moved by the Spirit. It is infallible (original autographs) and authoritative. It has everything we need to know for abundant and eternal life. It does not include every fact of science, etc. It is His Story (God's history with man).

[Aimiel]

If there is any life on other planets, it will be put in a drawer, when their purpose has passed.

Psalm 102 says: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

...and in Revelation, "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places."

I just picture The Lord rolling up the heavens, putting them in a drawer, and getting out The New Heavens and The New Earth.

[BillyBob]

Humans are so arrogant. :down:

[Christine]

Originally posted by granite1010

This may be true, but such information is not to be found in scripture.
Actually, it is. By following genealogies, time tables, etc. that are given in the Bible, you can estimate the age of the earth to be between 6,000 and 10,000 years old.

[Christine]

Originally posted by BillyBob

Hmmmm....I was under the impression that the Bible had many authors. :think:

So who is the lone author, Moses, Paul or Solomon?

If he knew everything, why didn't he write it down?
God, through men, wrote the Bible. God knows everything, but only had men write down what He wanted us to know. Amoung this information was some scientific information such as the age of the earth.

[godrulz]

The Bible is not a science text book, but it does not contradict true science.

[Granite]

Originally posted by Christine

Actually, it is. By following genealogies, time tables, etc. that are given in the Bible, you can estimate the age of the earth to be between 6,000 and 10,000 years old.

Such genealogies are contradictory (like Jesus') and I'm not sure what time tables you're referring to. In any event Bishop Ussher tried this and came up with 4004 years, if I'm not mistaken. But there's no solid way to use scripture to figure out how old the earth is. And really, it doesn't matter all that much.

[godrulz]

Evolution thinks that long time periods makes the impossible possible (something coming from nothing; non-life giving rise to life; life giving rise to morals and intelligence, etc.).

TIME + chance + matter= universe/life.

Young earth creation scientists feel the scientific evidence points to a younger universe. If this is true, evolution is impossible (humanistic explanation for origins).

Theistic evolution (God used evolution to create) is neither biblical nor scientific.

If Genesis is not accepted literally, then there is no reason to accept much of the rest of the Bible literally, including the plan of redemption. The order of creation in Genesis 1 contradicts the evolutionary model. The Hebrew use of the word 'day' in this passage is a 24 hour day, and not a long era.

Jesus affirmed the Genesis account (in beginning made man).

Apart from God or the Bible, there are strong arguments for a young universe (catastrophism vs uniformitarianism).

[One Eyed Jack]

Originally posted by granite1010
In any event Bishop Ussher tried this and came up with 4004 years, if I'm not mistaken.

He came up with 4,004 BC as the year the Earth was created, which would put the Earth at just over 6,000 years old.

[BillyBob]

Do you concur, Jack? [that the Earth is 6000 yrs old]

[firechyld]

Christine:

The Guy who wrote the Bible knew everything, including how big the Universe is, how old the Earth is, etc.

God, through men, wrote the Bible. God knows everything, but only had men write down what He wanted us to know. Amoung this information was some scientific information such as the age of the earth.

I'm curious as to where this opinion stems from in someone like you. Do you base that viewpoint on anything specific (a text, or maybe another source...) or is it just something you accept as "common knowledge"?

Godrulz

66 books written over centuries by about 40 authors. There were many authors, but what they wrote included revelation from the one Divine author, God. He superintended the formation of His Word. The authors wrote as they were moved on by the Holy Spirit. This is not transcription. There personalities and styles came through (human element). Inspiration= God=breathed= God ensured that what He wanted recorded was recorded accurately. We now need illumination to understand the inspired revelation.

The lone author is ultimately God Himself. He progressively revealed truth through men across cultures and centuries. The unity, accuracy, prophecy, etc. of the Bible points to Divine origins. This does not negate the use of men who were moved by the Spirit. It is infallible (original autographs) and authoritative. It has everything we need to know for abundant and eternal life. It does not include every fact of science, etc. It is His Story (God's history with man).

Same question as I directed to Christine. :)

I'm not necessarily challenging either of you... I don't have some deep belief that the Bible was definitely NOT inspired by God. :)

[firechyld]

I gave it a "maybe". Given the scope of the universe, I imagine that SOME form of life exists SOMEWHERE other than our planet.

But we don't really know. We could be the only one, or we could be one of millions. And yes, the theological implications are vast.

I don't feel that there's evidence to make a firm decision either way, from any source.

Fence sitting again, I guess. *shrug*

[Lovejoy]

The population of the universe is: zero. While there appear to be populated planets, they are finite in number. There are, however, and infinite number of planets total. And, as we all know, any finite number divided by an infinite number equals a number so close to zero as to make no odds. So, anyone you happen to meet today is just a product of your deranged imagination. (with apologies to the late Douglas Adams)

[Sozo]

The question of "life" on other planets, is rather vague. Are we talking about all life, or intelligent life? Do I know if God has angels attending another planet? No.

If you mean to say "life" as in, likness to ours... No (Unless of course thay were once here, and upon their death, God has now placed their souls there). The universe is created by God, and made at the same time that he created man here. It was created for our benefit, and at some point it will be redone for our benefit.

[Granite]

"If you mean to say 'life' as in, likness to ours... No."

But why not? Nothing in scripture speaks directly to this topic, so, we only have silence to work with. Man was created in God's image and is unique to the creation HERE. But, the possibility remains that mankind is not unique UNIVERSALLY.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by granite1010

"If you mean to say 'life' as in, likeness to ours... No."

But why not? Nothing in scripture speaks directly to this topic, so, we only have silence to work with. Man was created in God's image and is unique to the creation HERE. But, the possibility remains that mankind is not unique UNIVERSALLY.

The reason life elsewhere in the universe couldn't possibly be similar to any of Earths higher life forms is because life on Earth was formed over hundreds of millions of years of random evolution. This pattern of evolution is unique to earth and evolution on another planet would yield entirely different life forms based on whatever forces [climate, atmospheric chemistry, available food sources] caused each specie to evolve. Even if the same basic chemicals required for life were seeded throughout the universe, each planet would eventually be inhabited by 'life' entirely unique to itself.

The only place you'll find humans, elephants, or even oak trees is Earth.

[Lovejoy]

Even with all the biology I have been forced into taking, I can't imagine an alternative to basic nucleic acids as the foundation of life. But then, a few years ago no one believed that a protein could be a contagious disease agent (prion), and few decades before that no one believed that a piece of RNA could wander around and do the same thing (virus). Funny thing, life.


I think that archaen extremophiles might be a good place to base a possible alien life form on. They are pretty weird.

[BillyBob]

I read once that DNA is capable of producing a huge nember of species. The number posed was, get this: 1 followed by a million zeros!

It may be that DNA is unique to Earth, it may also be that DNA is universal.

[One Eyed Jack]

Originally posted by BillyBob

Do you concur, Jack? [that the Earth is 6000 yrs old]

You already know the answer to that, BilllyBob, so what's the point in asking?

[Lovejoy]

Perhaps the nucleic acids of other life forms just different nucleotides or something (note: this is me totally talking out of my rear-end, I have no idea if that is feasible)? I mean, RNA uses one different nucleotide than DNA. Maybe, like bacteria, it is shaped differently, or uses a different number of strands? Maybe they are Vulcans, and use copper rather than carbon as the building block of life?

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by One Eyed Jack

You already know the answer to that, BilllyBob, so what's the point in asking?

I wasn't sure.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by Lovejoy

Perhaps the nucleic acids of other life forms just different nucleotides or something (note: this is me totally talking out of my rear-end, I have no idea if that is feasible)? I mean, RNA uses one different nucleotide than DNA. Maybe, like bacteria, it is shaped differently, or uses a different number of strands? Maybe they are Vulcans, and use copper rather than carbon as the building block of life?

The happenstance that Earth mammals have 4 limbs, a backbone and a head does not mean that extraterrestrial organisms will. It is likely that they have body structures completely foreign and unrecognizable to us. If you ever visit their planet, don't expect to find a chair to sit in.

[Lovejoy]

NO CHAIRS!! :shocked:

Must be why I never finished my NASA training.

[Turbo]

What does Zakath think?

[SOTK]

I also chose maybe. I don't believe there is other intelligent life but maybe life. The universe is huge! There's gotta be some other form of life out there. As I said though, I don't believe it's intelligent and has a soul.

[firechyld]

That's an interesting point. If there IS intelligent life, how do you determine whether or not it has a soul? Does intelligence suggest the prescence of one? Or can a being have human-level or higher intelligence without the prescence of a soul?

[BillyBob]

Has anybody ever proved humans have a soul?

What is a soul?

[godrulz]

spirit= God-breathed part of man that is God-conscious; the real you.

soul= personality...will, intellect, emotions= self-conscious.

body= temporary tent for the real you= world conscious.

This comes from the Creator's revelation on the nature of man.

The alternative is evolution that reduces us to a hairless ape who lives and dies like an animal.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by godrulz

spirit= God-breathed part of man that is God-conscious; the real you.

OK.

soul= personality...will, intellect, emotions= self-conscious.

My dog has all of those traits.



The alternative is evolution that reduces us to a hairless ape who lives and dies like an animal.

Or perhaps evolution was God's way of creating humans. :think:

[Zakath]

Originally posted by Turbo

What does Zakath think? If you're asking about my opinion of whether life exists on other planets, I think it's likely that there was/is/will be life throughout the universe. Until we run into some ET life forms we'll not have any data to make a reasonable guess as to how common life might be though... :think:

[BillyBob]

:up:

[Zakath]

Originally posted by godrulz

spirit= God-breathed part of man that is God-conscious; the real you.

soul= personality...will, intellect, emotions= self-conscious.

body= temporary tent for the real you= world conscious.

This comes from the Creator's revelation on the nature of man.

The alternative is evolution that reduces us to a hairless ape who lives and dies like an animal. In humans, the "soul" is indistinguishable from the "mind". It appears to exist so long as the brain functions above a certain level. When the brain stops, it appears that so does the "mind" or "soul".

No one has produced empirically verifiable evidence of "ensoulment" in a human embryo and I am unaware of any empirically verifiable evidence that any part of a human continues to exist after brain death.

Perhaps other posters might know of some...

[godrulz]

"Soul" is sometimes used as referring to the whole person: "Many souls were lost at sea."

[Delmar]

Originally posted by BillyBob





My dog has all of those traits.




Yes conventional wisdom would say that a dog has a soul but no spirit.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by deardelmar

Yes conventional wisdom would say that a dog has a soul but no spirit.

I don't claim to know either way, but I do know that my dog has these 'qualities':

personality, will, intellect, emotions,.

[Delmar]

you bet

[BillyBob]

:up:

[Turbo]

Originally posted by Zakath

If you're asking about my opinion of whether life exists on other planets, I think it's likely that there was/is/will be life throughout the universe. Until we run into some ET life forms we'll not have any data to make a reasonable guess as to how common life might be though... :think: So did you answer "yes" or "maybe"?

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by Turbo

So did you answer "yes" or "maybe"?

We weren't asked "Is there Life....."

The question was: "Do you "believe there is Life......"

It seems to me that the only possible answers are 'Yes' and 'No'. There is no maybe.

[Lovejoy]

Originally posted by BillyBob

We weren't asked "Is there Life....."

The question was: "Do you "believe there is Life......"

It seems to me that the only possible answers are 'Yes' and 'No'. There is no maybe.

"Do, or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

Sorry, seemed an appropriate quote, given the topic.

[Turbo]

Originally posted by BillyBob

We weren't asked "Is there Life....."

The question was: "Do you "believe there is Life......"

It seems to me that the only possible answers are 'Yes' and 'No'. There is no maybe. At least 17 people here disagree with you.

Why can't someone believe that there might be life on planets?

[firechyld]

That was how I interpreted it. "Do you believe that there is/is not/might be life on other planets."

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by Turbo

At least 17 people here disagree with you.

:noway: That's never happened before.


Why can't someone believe that there might be life on planets?

Fenceriders!

[BillyBob]

The question was about beliefs.

Do you believe there is life on other planets?

Possible answers given:

Yes I believe.

No I don't believe.

Maybe I believe. <------This is the one that doesn't make sense. Either you believe it or you don't. How can you 'Maybe Believe' something?

[Zakath]

Originally posted by Turbo

So did you answer "yes" or "maybe"? I think I voted "yes", as in "Yes, I believe", but I'm not reasonably certain... :)

[Knight]

Somebody must be voting on old polls. :noid:

[Delmar]

Somebody must be voting on old polls. :noid:Thanks for explaining that. I thought I was getting loopy!

[wholearmor]

No, unless you consider California another planet. Otherwise the only other thing I have to say is, "Show me." Just like UFOs.

[Granite]

Wow...

[Caledvwlch]

As far as the poll goes... I went with a definite maybe. :chuckle: "After all, Mr. President, it's a big-a** sky." Sorry, I couldn't resist the Armageddon quote.

I can't say yes, because I don't believe we have much in the way of evidence of alien life, but there's certainly plenty of places in which it could be hiding.

[kmoney]

:idunno: Squeaky had to come from somewhere right??

[Caledvwlch]

:idunno: Squeaky had to come from somewhere right??
Oh wow yeah. Good point. :think:

[Granite]

As far as the poll goes... I went with a definite maybe. :chuckle: "After all, Mr. President, it's a big-a** sky." Sorry, I couldn't resist the Armageddon quote.

I can't say yes, because I don't believe we have much in the way of evidence of alien life, but there's certainly plenty of places in which it could be hiding.

Pretty much. Aside from my misguided theological remarks from quite some time back I stand by my observations earlier in the thread...

What's the saying? The best evidence intelligent life exists is that it has never tried to contact us.

[koban]

:idunno: Squeaky had to come from somewhere right??


Let's restrict the discussion to "intelligent life", OK? :chuckle:

[soothsayer]

There is life on this planet...why not on at least a few other planets? Obviously, I can't be sure, so I voted "maybe." Another issue here is whether life has existed in the past or will exist in the future on other planets. :think: We may never know...

[fool]

Somebody must be voting on old polls. :noid:
Who did it!? :sibbie:

[Joe Roberts]

Let's restrict the discussion to "intelligent life", OK? :chuckle:

I haven’t found all that much intelligent life here on Earth.

[koban]

I haven’t found all that much intelligent life here on Earth.


You been hanging out with blondes again? :chuckle:

[wholearmor]

I haven’t found all that much intelligent life here on Earth.

...therefore, "Beam me up, Scotty.":WA:

[Jackson]

To qualify my "yes"...
Who am I to limit God?
I am no one.
Now as to what is life...
Life could be as simple as moss on a rock. Quite possible. Life such as here on earth I just don't know. But who am I.... :think:

[noneoftheabove]

I don't see why not. If so, I tend to imagine that it is sub-human life. I guess I imagine humans on earth to be special in the universe.

[Bick]

HI knight. I answered no because when you say "life" it is obvious you mean life like humans.

Now, we know from the Scriptures there are living beings elsewhere in the universe. Apart from the triune God, there are angels, cherubim, seraphim, demons, and Satan.

These are spirit beings, that is, beings alive through the spirit of God (not Holy Spirit).

A full study of the spirit world is beyond the scope of this link. But I would be happy to discuss it on an abbreviated post.

Bick

[me45404]

I definitly do not believe there is other intelligent life out there; plant or some animal forms maybe, but not intelligent. The bible teaches that Christ died once for all. I f there were other human or otherwise intelligent life anywhere then Christ would have to go there and die for them too.

[godrulz]

I definitly do not believe there is other intelligent life out there; plant or some animal forms maybe, but not intelligent. The bible teaches that Christ died once for all. I f there were other human or otherwise intelligent life anywhere then Christ would have to go there and die for them too.


Christ dying once for all refers to His one time sacrifice as opposed to perpetual animal sacrifices. The earth is likely unique with no biblical hint of other planets/peoples needing redemption.

[Evee]

Possibly there will be life if it isn't already.
God may have designed those planets for future use.

[godrulz]

Possibly there will be life if it isn't already.
God may have designed those planets for future use.


It seems possible that after the Millennium, the population will continue to increase and the universe may become populated.

[Skeptic]

Do you believe there is life on other planets? Yes. If there was not, it would be an awful waste of space!

Science currently knows of no reason why life could not have started elsewhere in the universe. All of the building blocks for life on Earth exist throughout the universe.

It obviously started here, in an obscure part of the universe. Most likely under natural circumstances.

[Mustard Seed]

"This magnificent, far-reaching telescope (Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, located outside San Jose, California.) is deliberately situated above the smog, so this powerful instrument can better probe the galaxies. So it is with life, and seeing by the lens of faith. If we are to see things more clearly, we too must lift ourselves above the secular smog. Then, in the words of the hymn, we can “in awesome wonder consider all the worlds [God’s] hands have made … [and see God’s] pow’r thru-out the universe displayed” (“How Great Thou Art,” Hymns, number 86). Otherwise, we will be kept from probing Jesus’ universal gospel and from seeing “things as they really are” (Jacob 4:13).

"Nevertheless, by viewing the stretching cosmos, we can humbly contemplate the vastness of divine handiwork. Long before He was born at Bethlehem and became known as Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior was Jehovah. Way back then, under the direction of the Father, Christ was the Lord of the universe, who created worlds without number—of which ours is only one (see Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2).

"How many planets are there in the universe with people on them? We don’t know, but we are not alone in the universe! God is not the God of only one planet!

"I testify that Jesus is truly the Lord of the universe, “that by [Christ], and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24).

"Having purchased us (see 1 Cor. 7:23) with His atoning blood (see Acts 20:28) in the great and marvelous Atonement, Jesus thereby became our Lawgiver (see Isa. 33:22). It is by obedience to His laws and His commandments that we may return one day to His presence and that of our Heavenly Father.

"The foregoing cosmic facts should bring us to our knees even now—long before that later Judgment Day, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. I testify that Jesus fulfilled these great roles as Creator and Lawgiver out of His desire to immortalize all of Heavenly Father’s children, with the most valiant to live in His Father’s house, which has many mansions.

"When Christ comes again, it will not be to the meekness of the manger; it will be as the recognized Redeemer and the Lord of the universe! Then, in a great solar display, stars will fall from their places in a witnessing way (see D&C 133:49), with much more drama than at His birth, when “the stars in the heavens looked down where he lay” (“Away in a Manger,” Hymns, number 206).

"Yet in the vastness of His creations, the Lord of the universe, who notices the fall of every sparrow, is our personal Savior, of which I give apostolic testimony in the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen!"

--Elder Neal A. Maxwell

[godrulz]

Thx for the non-authoritative LDS opinion.

[Mustard Seed]

From one of the last individuals ever having the possibility of discerning, let alone doing such authoritatively, true sources of authority and discernment.

[godrulz]

From one of the last individuals ever having the possibility of discerning, let alone doing such authoritatively, true sources of authority and discernment.


The Bible is the final authority, not a modern religion started by an uncredible Joseph Smith. You are following a man and mere men, not the Son of Man/Son of God.

[Mustard Seed]

The Bible is the final authority, not a modern religion started by an uncredible Joseph Smith. You are following a man and mere men, not the Son of Man/Son of God.

God is the final authority. Not some book. And which Bible are you referencing? You are the man following men. I follow the revelation of God, it was on that that Christ said he would build his church.

[godrulz]

God is the final authority. Not some book. And which Bible are you referencing? You are the man following men. I follow the revelation of God, it was on that that Christ said he would build his church.


The Bible is the Word of God. Cults, such as yours, undermine the integrity and authority of the Bible out of ignorance. They then replace it with a human authority like the JW Governing Body or LDS 'prophets'.

God is the final authority, but He has communicated with a Book.

Jesus was a monotheist (Jew). Mormons are polytheists. You have a false god and a false gospel. Case closed (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6-10).

[Mustard Seed]

Which Bible? Which interpretation? Which reading? Which view? "If ye are not one ye are not mine." "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: " How do you determine what is and isn't salvific? Traditionaly Christianity is a house divided. One need only spend time here at TOL to see that. Jesus was forsaken by the father and SEPERATED by death from him. We are as much polytheists as any Christian anywhere is.

[godrulz]

Which Bible? Which interpretation? Which reading? Which view? "If ye are not one ye are not mine." "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: " How do you determine what is and isn't salvific? Traditionaly Christianity is a house divided. One need only spend time here at TOL to see that. Jesus was forsaken by the father and SEPERATED by death from him. We are as much polytheists as any Christian anywhere is.


Smith taught the plurality of gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith). The uneducated man mocked the monotheistic, triune understanding of biblical, historical Christianity. You display the same ignorance of our differences.

Most Bibles are close in interpretation, certainly in the essentials. Our house is not divided over essentials. Open Theism, Calvinism, etc. are not salvific issues.

[Aimiel]

If there is life on other planets, Christ died for them...

Hebrews 10:10
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[Mustard Seed]

Smith taught the plurality of gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith). The uneducated man mocked the monotheistic, triune understanding of biblical, historical Christianity. You display the same ignorance of our differences.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13 ¶ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their [b]wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Isaiah 29:11-14


Most Bibles are close in interpretation, certainly in the essentials.

How do you know? How does one come to a certain knowledge about what the essentials are?

Our house is not divided over essentials. Open Theism, Calvinism, etc. are not salvific issues.

You can not answer how one is to discern what is salvific. You simply assert what you believe to be salvific. But you cannot give a definative route one can take to reaching such conclusions on their own. You must ever reference the learning of men or simply abide in the carnal security you've found in your perpetual assertions as to what YOU believe to be this and that regarding discernment of salvific and non-salvific.

[TheDude]

Personally, I know there is life on other planets.

How? Have I been abducted? Probed? Proded? Tested on? No. Can't say that I have. But, there a literally hundreds of thousands of people who say they have. There are thousands of people willing to swear their name to the fact that there are.

They can't all be crazy.

[Kass]

Maybe. We haven't gotten information on every planet in the universe.

[Knight]

Personally, I know there is life on other planets.

How? Have I been abducted? Probed? Proded? Tested on? No. Can't say that I have. But, there a literally hundreds of thousands of people who say they have. There are thousands of people willing to swear their name to the fact that there are.

They can't all be crazy.So.... by that logic... anything that is sworn to be true by more than a thousand or so people must be true? :think:

[novice]

Maybe. We haven't gotten information on every planet in the universe.Let me guess, you would like to do more planetary exploration starting with Uranus. :rolleyes: :flamer:

[Kass]

Just a note, dear novice. Right-wing Christians tend to make very poor psychics. I get that you don't like gay people. I get that you don't like that I think they deserve equal rights. Don't follow me around saying nasty things about me, okay?

[novice]

Just a note, dear novice. Right-wing Christians tend to make very poor psychics. I get that you don't like gay people. I get that you don't like that I think they deserve equal rights. Don't follow me around saying nasty things about me, okay?:flamer:

[Kass]

Thank goodness this place has an ignore list. Seriously, mods, everyone, thanks. I appreciate it. :)

[TheDude]

So.... by that logic... anything that is sworn to be true by more than a thousand or so people must be true? :think:

I'm just saying they can't all be nuts. There are thousands of people who believe in god with no more evidence then whats between their ears. We don't call (well I do) crazy.

Plus, there are a lot of credible people who are willing to stake their reputations on the subject.

Just out of curiosity Knight, what would it take for you to believe in life on other planets?

[Prisca]

Hmmm...life on other planets...nope. I don't think so.

[TheDude]

Hmmm...life on other planets...nope. I don't think so.

Why?

[Mustard Seed]

37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.

D&C 88:47

And there's alot of space. If it's found true on earth why not on all the other worlds? Just a century or so back how many would have believed that life was in volcanoes or deep sea under-water ocean vents?

[One Eyed Jack]

Yes. If there was not, it would be an awful waste of space!

There's a scientific argument.

[One Eyed Jack]

I'm just saying they can't all be nuts.

Why can't they?

Plus, there are a lot of credible people who are willing to stake their reputations on the subject.

Show me one credible person claiming to be an alien abductee.

[truthteller86]

Why can't they?

Show me one credible person claiming to be an alien abductee.I like Like Larry the Gable Guy's take...how come all those people who claim to have been abducted are all ugly or homeless? If I was an alien, I'd go straight after the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders...I tell you what :chuckle: