In response to Kim's question, Strict creationists (e.g. the folks who run www.answersingenesis.org) argue that since life on other worlds is built on the premise of biological evolution and natural forces, and since strict creationists reject evolution and natural forces as the origins of life, then there can be no such thing as life on other worlds. Less strident believers are willing to accept the notion that God may have other "designs" in place elsewhere and since it's a big universe, we shouldn't be too surprised if we're not alone. I've always wondered, however, about what we do if one day a communication from an extraterrestrial civilization is received and it contains a religious message that is as alien to us as is their biology. Something along the lines of, "How much do you know about church of Xorakrathlymon and her symbiotic shell-mate Zyxlefrup, co-mothers of All The Universe, and would you like to know more?" More seriously, what happens when some form of life no more complex than lichen is found under a rock somewhere on Mars? I think the odds of that happening are not small. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 10:08 AM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Question On Recently Discovered Planet Try to ask a serious question and this is what you get... At the risk of offending my LDS friends (oh, and I'm LDS, too) I would add that when I read the scriptures I find much of what I read to be taken figuratively, especially when the Lord is trying to explain issues of science to ignorant peasants and shepherds. There may be a place called "Kolob" but the description of it in the LDS scriptures begs scientific scrutiny, and I don't think that it stands up. If, however, you're a shepherd with no knowledge of physics and cosmology, and you when you look up at the night sky you wonder about the points of light that you see, then I suppose it makes perfect sense. So, back to my original question: Do any proponents of creationism/intelligent design (other than Latter-day Saints) have a position on whether or not there is life beyond earth? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:22 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Question On Recently Discovered Planet Maybe you're joking, Guy, but today's news about exoplanets has generated talk of Kolob on the KSL web site. See it here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=1280897&comments=true pw On 23 May 2007, at 12:04, diveboss@xmission.com wrote:
Surely you've heard of the word "Kolob"... And I don't mean the canyon.
Quoting Kim <kimharch@cut.net>:
Does anyone know if proponents of creationism or intelligent design have ever weighed-in on the topic of life beyond Earth? I'm truly interested to know if any of these folks have a position. I don't recall ever reading or hearing anyone discuss it.
Kim
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