The Vatican - Embracing Probability of Extraterrestrial Life

[Herbert Profile]

This week the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences is holding its first major conference on astrobiology, convened on private Vatican grounds in the elegant Casina Pio IV, formerly the pope's villa. The gathering of prominent scientists and religious leaders from around the world suggests that some of the most tradition-bound faiths are seriously contemplating the possibility that life exists in many forms beyond Earth.

The five-day conference is chaired by the religious leader of the highly regarded Academy, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. Scientists including atheists are offering presentations on subjects as varied as how life might have begun on Earth; what newly found "extremophile" microbes living in the most challenging habitats on our planet might tell us about possible life on others; and how life forms might be detected in our solar system, or how their bio-signatures might be found on and around the many distant exoplanets.

The Vatican's new initiative was signaled this summer by its chief astronomer who says there is no conflict between believing in God and in the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations perhaps more evolved than humans.

14vat550_2 "In my opinion this possibility exists," said the Reverend José Gabriel Funes, head of the Vatican Observatory and a scientific adviser to Pope Benedict XVI, referring to life on other planets.

"How can we exclude that life has developed elsewhere," he said in an interview with the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. The large number of galaxies with their own planets makes this possible, he noted.

Asked if he was referring to beings similar to humans or even more evolved than humans, he said: "Certainly, in a universe this big you can't exclude this hypothesis."

In the interview headlined, "The extraterrestrial is my brother," Funes said he saw no conflict between belief in such beings and faith in God.

"Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures on earth, there can be other beings, even intelligent, created by God. This is not in contrast with our faith because we can't put limits on God's creative freedom. Why can't we speak of a 'brother extraterrestrial'? It would still be part of creation."

Funes, who runs the observatory that is based south of Rome and in Arizona, held out the possibility that the human race might actually be the "lost sheep" of the universe. There could be other beings "who remained in full friendship with their creator," he said.

Funes commentary is a giant step away from the historical record that includes the Inquisition, which condemned Galileo in the 17th century for insisting that the Earth revolved around the Sun. The Roman Catholic Church did not rehabilitate him until 1992.

Funes said he believed as an astronomer that the most likely explanation for the start of the universe was "the big bang," the theory that it sprang into existence from dense matter billions of years ago. But he said this was not in conflict with faith in God as creator. "God is the creator," he said. "There is a sense to creation. We are not children of an accident."

He added: "As an astronomer, I continue to believe that God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the product of something casual but children of a good father who has a project of love in mind for us."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... inionsbox1

[Willburnroach Profile]

This week the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences is holding its first major conference on astrobiology, convened on private Vatican grounds in the elegant Casina Pio IV, formerly the pope's villa. The gathering of prominent scientists and religious leaders from around the world suggests that some of the most tradition-bound faiths are seriously contemplating the possibility that life exists in many forms beyond Earth.

The five-day conference is chaired by the religious leader of the highly regarded Academy, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. Scientists including atheists are offering presentations on subjects as varied as how life might have begun on Earth; what newly found "extremophile" microbes living in the most challenging habitats on our planet might tell us about possible life on others; and how life forms might be detected in our solar system, or how their bio-signatures might be found on and around the many distant exoplanets.

The Vatican's new initiative was signaled this summer by its chief astronomer who says there is no conflict between believing in God and in the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations perhaps more evolved than humans.

14vat550_2 "In my opinion this possibility exists," said the Reverend José Gabriel Funes, head of the Vatican Observatory and a scientific adviser to Pope Benedict XVI, referring to life on other planets.

"How can we exclude that life has developed elsewhere," he said in an interview with the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. The large number of galaxies with their own planets makes this possible, he noted.

Asked if he was referring to beings similar to humans or even more evolved than humans, he said: "Certainly, in a universe this big you can't exclude this hypothesis."

In the interview headlined, "The extraterrestrial is my brother," Funes said he saw no conflict between belief in such beings and faith in God.

"Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures on earth, there can be other beings, even intelligent, created by God. This is not in contrast with our faith because we can't put limits on God's creative freedom. Why can't we speak of a 'brother extraterrestrial'? It would still be part of creation."

Funes, who runs the observatory that is based south of Rome and in Arizona, held out the possibility that the human race might actually be the "lost sheep" of the universe. There could be other beings "who remained in full friendship with their creator," he said.

Funes commentary is a giant step away from the historical record that includes the Inquisition, which condemned Galileo in the 17th century for insisting that the Earth revolved around the Sun. The Roman Catholic Church did not rehabilitate him until 1992.

Funes said he believed as an astronomer that the most likely explanation for the start of the universe was "the big bang," the theory that it sprang into existence from dense matter billions of years ago. But he said this was not in conflict with faith in God as creator. "God is the creator," he said. "There is a sense to creation. We are not children of an accident."

He added: "As an astronomer, I continue to believe that God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the product of something casual but children of a good father who has a project of love in mind for us."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... inionsbox1

IMO this is the kinda thing to look for before disclosure. The only two religions that really teach about extra terrestrial life is Mormonism and Islam just think about a world were these are the only two main religions.

[Spliffffstar Profile]

This is the right step towards disclosure. Because, the only people on which disclosure would have a life shattering effect are religious people.

All the others couldn't care less imo. Aliens or no aliens, they still have to get to their jobs in the morning and make that money....

[Flecktarn Profile]

if they can beleive in god then aliens has got to be a safe bet (more chance of seeing aliens)

[Darkplanet Profile]

This is a positive sign. This is exactly the demographic that would have substantial mental coping issues if disclosure happens. They would automatically equate ET to demons or something equally ridiculous.

Lets hope that this is part of additional steps being taken to soften the blow.

[Willburnroach Profile]

It doesn't make much sense, the bible has nephilim and other creatures in the old testament. Yet it teaches we are the center of the universe and us humans are God perfect creation. Anyway this to me is the best clear evidence that possible disclosure could be imminent.

[dlslith Profile]

Good theory there guys, and for all of us I hope it is for disclosure. I have one also, and think about this for a minute or two, cause it might have something to it.
The Catholic church is rapidly losing their membership. The older generation is dying out, and the new generation, with their new beliefs and more open minded approach are coming to the forefront. They really don't have an interest as a whole to the church in general. If you knew that you were losing the new core, the new generation, and wanted to retain and attract new fellowship, what would you do? For a religion that has been so deadfast in their beliefs, to come forward all of a sudden with a revelation that they have preached against since day one, makes one think. Do they really believe, or are they trying to gather more sheep by giving in to the new age? Food for thought, just thought I'd put it out there.
Slith

[Lucidlemondrop Profile]

IMO

There is no "perfect" religion............

[dlslith Profile]

IMO

There is no "perfect" religion............

Thank you. I agree

[Willburnroach Profile]

IMO

There is no "perfect" religion............

did some one say perfect religion? I did say perfect creation {humans}, now if this is the case well were in trouble.