Vatican says aliens could exist

[gadjo_dilo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm

Why do they this NOW ? Is this to prepare us for something that will happen in the near future?

[Garry Walker]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm

Why do they this NOW ? Is this to prepare us for something that will happen in the near future?

Aliens are far more likely to exist than god.

[ShiftingGears]

THEY're HIDING SOMETHING.

[Dave B]

They could exist, and they probably do. It would be incredible if among the billions of stars there weren't some life-bearing planets.

[BDunnell]

I like the fact that he says that these beings, if they exist, were definitely created by God. I wonder whether other astronomers not working for the Vatican would be quite so sure of this in public?

[gadjo_dilo]

Don't know about astronomers but last night I watched a TV debate and some of our specialists in UFO -s who happen to be scientists agreed it's possible.

What's really interesting is the evolution of church's opinion. In the past they even didn't admit that the earth is round.

[BDunnell]

Don't know about astronomers but last night I watched a TV debate and some of our specialists in UFO -s who happen to be scientists agreed it's possible.

What's really interesting is the evolution of church's opinion. In the past they even didn't admit that the earth is round.

To me, admittedly as a non-believer in religious terms, this 'evolution' casts doubt on the absolute veracity of many teachings. After all, there used to be an enormous amount of rigidity about this, and only recently has more flexibility entered into the discussion, not least when one listens to clergymen themselves.

(By the way, regarding UFOs, they do certainly exist in a literal sense. There are certainly flying objects that, for all sorts of reasons, go unidentified.)

[dc10]

I've always been of the opinion that if there's life on this planet, there's no reason why other planets (not necessarily in our solar system) can't support life of some sort. After all, why should just Earth be habited.

[rah]

I think if intelligent life forms came anywhere near us they would get our TV signals and be scared away.

[Dave B]

It's a popular and attractive thought that these "aliens" could travel to Earth. But imagine a planet similar to how ours was a few millenia ago: oceans teeming with life, forests full of diverse wildlife, and primitive mammals learning to use simple tools. You'd certainly say that planet had intelligent life.

[Breeze]

Science and religion need each other, and many astronomers believe in God, he assures readers.
That statement puts the 'shift' into perspective.

To be sure, religion needs science. Science, however, does not need, and is better off without religion, IMHO.

[Azumanga Davo]

To me, admittedly as a non-believer in religious terms, this 'evolution' casts doubt on the absolute veracity of many teachings. After all, there used to be an enormous amount of rigidity about this, and only recently has more flexibility entered into the discussion, not least when one listens to clergymen themselves.

(By the way, regarding UFOs, they do certainly exist in a literal sense. There are certainly flying objects that, for all sorts of reasons, go unidentified.)

I don't think that was the point that came across personally.

The astronomer in question was talking about if aliens did exist, would they absolved of the original sin? He is saying aliens might exist because God may have created them too. Not really talking about whether God exists if aliens do.

That was my understanding of it anyway.

[gadjo_dilo]

To be sure, religion needs science. .
Why?

Science, however, does not need, and is better off without religion, IMHO.
If this is right then it's really sad. Unfortunately science studies only the physical and material world. Even if we knew exactly all what's happening in the universe and what kind of inhabitants live on Sirius or other stars of the Milky Way, we still would be far away from the essential things: why and what for are we on earth. From the contemporary science point of view, the human development would be a perpetual march to an unknown and undetermined truth.

In my opinion religion who answers to the needs of the soul and science who answers to the needs of rationality should stick together.
Otherwise religion, without material proofs and science without any hope to elucidate the mistery of life will continue to fight, without any winner.

[Valve Bounce]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm

Why do they this NOW ? Is this to prepare us for something that will happen in the near future?

They finally read Ezekial.

[Lousada]

Benedictus 16 is the 265th pope, and he will be the last before Petrus returns to earth to get us all to heaven. This will happen mid-december 2012 as the Mayas predicted. I read it on wikipedia so it's true.

[Azumanga Davo]

Benedictus 16 is the 265th pope, and he will be the last before Petrus returns to earth to get us all to heaven. This will happen mid-december 2012 as the Mayas predicted. I read it on wikipedia so it's true.

I read on MSN Today that Rick Astley's career is back on track (nice related topic for here). That must be true too huh?

[Lousada]

I read on MSN Today that Rick Astley's career is back on track (nice related topic for here). That must be true too huh?

Well with the amount of people that are being rickrolled it is pretty much true yes.