Political Crossfire Forums

[Todd D.]

It wasn't a personal attack, it was a suggestion, just like saying "You only have to click the 'Post' button once, otherwise you will double-post" is a suggestion. Had I, oh I don't know, referred to your faith as a "satanic cult", as you did to another member, I think that would have been a personal attack.

Mine was merely a suggestion in order for you to better get across the views that you are attempting the get across. Nothing more.

[LetsGetReal]

Todd D. wrote: It wasn't a personal attack, it was a suggestion, just like saying "You only have to click the 'Post' button once, otherwise you will double-post" is a suggestion. Had I, oh I don't know, referred to your faith as a "satanic cult", as you did to another member, I think that would have been a personal attack.

Mine was merely a suggestion in order for you to better get across the views that you are attempting the get across. Nothing more. I'm sure it was....:wink:

[MJB]

As per the thread topic, I would imagine that few Christians would be surprised if there was extraterrestrial life, and that such life would not, in the least, concern them, or weaken their faith.

And, as I mentioned, since the Bible says that God, through his Son, made the worlds (plural) I am quite sure that many Christians have already considered the possibility, as well as likelihood, that God has also placed life on the other worlds that he has made.

Now - in light of criticism over my use of Hebrews 1:1-2 with the word, "worlds," and the accusation that I was, "picking," a certain translation to try to prove something (which was not the case) I thought I would include a list (see below) of a number of Bible translations in which Hebrews 1:2 says, "worlds," and I do this to demonstrate that if anyone was, "picking," translations to try to prove something, it wasn't me.



American Standard
Amplified Bible
Darby Translation
English Majority Text
Murdock Translation
Greek/English NT
American King James Version
Authorized King James Version
New King James Version
Modern King James Version
21st Century King James Version
Revised King James NT
New Revised Standard
Third Millenium Bible
Webster Bible
Revised Webster Bible
World English Bible
Wycliffe NT

[LetsGetReal]

MJB wrote: As per the thread topic, I would imagine that few Christians would be surprised if there was extraterrestrial life, and that such life would not, in the least, concern them, or weaken their faith.

And, as I mentioned, since the Bible says that God, through his Son, made the worlds (plural) I am quite sure that many Christians have already considered the possibility, as well as likelihood, that God has also placed life on the other worlds that he has made.

Now - in light of criticism over my use of Hebrews 1:1-2 with the word, "worlds," and the accusation that I was, "picking," a certain translation to try to prove something (which was not the case) I thought I would include a list (see below) of a number of Bible translations in which Hebrews 1:2 says, "worlds," and I do this to demonstrate that if anyone was, "picking," translations to try to prove something, it wasn't me.



American Standard
Amplified Bible
Darby Translation
English Majority Text
Murdock Translation
Greek/English NT
American King James Version
Authorized King James Version
New King James Version
Modern King James Version
21st Century King James Version
Revised King James NT
New Revised Standard
Third Millenium Bible
Webster Bible
Revised Webster Bible
World English Bible
Wycliffe NT Haha, sorry MJB I honestly chose at random different translations and not a one besides some form of KJV had the word worlds in it, so I apologize. Also I would like to think that the use of the word "worlds" is being taken out of context. It should be looked through by the time period not our current disposition of it.

[connermt]

Nathyn wrote: I'm posting this topic in each different religious forum, but with regard to each religion.

I'd thought I could just post it in the general religious forum, but I wanted a specific answer from each Abrahamic religious group. I'm also writing a series of specific thought-provoking questions for each.

I don't just mean alien bacteria, but sentient life.

So, how would sentient extraterrestrial life affect Christianity?

1. Would it affect your faith in your Christianity?

2. How would Biblical history be understood? A literal interpretation of the Bible doesn't mention outside life at all. If sentient extraterrestrial life is discovered, should we automatically assume they are demons?


I think that discovery would be great in the long run. At first, many religious people might go crazy, but eventually society would atune their beliefs to accept this new found discovery to be inline with their beliefs.
3. Does the Bible apply to others outside of Earth? I.E., would aliens still need to be "saved"? If aliens were intended to be saved, what does it say about Christianity if they had lived for millenia without any knowledge of Jesus?

4. What if aliens are unisexual or have unorthodox familial orientations? How should inter-special relations and marriage, and even moral judgements of alien relations be interpreted?

[melchizedek22]

theres nothing out there but big empty rocks

[Roman]

A true Christian should accept ET's with whole-heartedly due to the fact that the Bible speaks of other intelligent beings such as angels, serpents, giants, nepilum, etc.

[leftneckredwing]

Personal attacks are forbidden. All personal attacks will cease now or see this locked.

[cap'n queasy]

Lock it. It's a stupid topic anyway.

[toddytodd]

cap'n queasy wrote: Lock it. It's a stupid topic anyway.

The topic is a perfectly legitimate question. It should not be locked strictly for that reason

[connermt]

cap'n queasy wrote: Lock it. It's a stupid topic anyway.

Edited for personal comments.

LNRW

[Politically_Correct]

I did not bother to read previous post in this topic, but when I was studying to be a minister and before I received my baptist ordantion (I'm Catholic now), I brought this up to my mentor.

It would not effect us at all, simply because we do not believe that such a thing exist. The reason why is-- Jesus died for man. There is no way for us to witness to these "creatures," and thus, no way they can becomed saved. Also, the only thing that could reach them would be Angels--and Angels cannot spread the gospel.

It would not effect me if they did, regardless.

[MJB]

Politically_Correct wrote: I did not bother to read previous post in this topic, but when I was studying to be a minister and before I received my baptist ordantion (I'm Catholic now), I brought this up to my mentor.

It would not effect us at all, simply because we do not believe that such a thing exist. The reason why is-- Jesus died for man. There is no way for us to witness to these "creatures," and thus, no way they can becomed saved. Also, the only thing that could reach them would be Angels--and Angels cannot spread the gospel.

It would not effect me if they did, regardless.

That's interesting. So how do you know they would be, "creatures?" (presuming you mean a non-human variety :wink: )

If God could place man on this world, could he not place man on other worlds?

[Politically_Correct]

I honestly believe He would have gave us some information about these people and how to reach them. Jesus didn't "die" twice for this world, and for the other worlds, etc. He dies everyday for our Sin.

God has the ability to do anything. I do not know if his desire would be to place humans in other places, but he created the world for his Image.

[MJB]

Politically_Correct wrote: I honestly believe He would have gave us some information about these people and how to reach them. Jesus didn't "die" twice for this world, and for the other worlds, etc. He dies everyday for our Sin.

God has the ability to do anything. I do not know if his desire would be to place humans in other places, but he created the world for his Image.

Well - since God's means of speaking to man here on earth has been through his prophets, my conclusion would be that we wouldn't need to reach anyone beyond our world, as God would be able to do that himself, through prophets he would call to serve him on those worlds. Whatever the case though, we can be sure that he has provided every needful thing for every circumstance. :wink:

[toddytodd]

Politically_Correct wrote: I did not bother to read previous post in this topic, but when I was studying to be a minister and before I received my baptist ordantion (I'm Catholic now), I brought this up to my mentor.

It would not effect us at all, simply because we do not believe that such a thing exist. The reason why is-- Jesus died for man. There is no way for us to witness to these "creatures," and thus, no way they can becomed saved. Also, the only thing that could reach them would be Angels--and Angels cannot spread the gospel.

It would not effect me if they did, regardless.
I find this an odd response (although an honest and legitimate one). Why would you think there is a need to witness and/or spread the word to these 'creatures', as you put it, in the first place? I understand your underlying need or imposed responsibility to do so, but I see no logic to it, unless you were to witness to every creature on earth as well.....:think:

[Angelicus]

Politically_Correct wrote: I did not bother to read previous post in this topic, but when I was studying to be a minister and before I received my baptist ordantion (I'm Catholic now), I brought this up to my mentor.

It would not effect us at all, simply because we do not believe that such a thing exist. The reason why is-- Jesus died for man. There is no way for us to witness to these "creatures," and thus, no way they can becomed saved. Also, the only thing that could reach them would be Angels--and Angels cannot spread the gospel.

It would not effect me if they did, regardless.

So its your position then that forgivness and salvation are only available to mankind?

While I will be the first too agree that the fallen angels for example will never repent, lets suppose one did. God in his infinite love wisdom and mercy, would still send that angelic being to hell at the final judgement?

And if thats the case, why is it that God should love us, more than the angels? After all, the angelic hosts were the first creation, not man.

I am sorry, I have a hard time accepting that God loves mankind anymore than his other creations. In part because if he did, then God would not be an impartial father and thus, not just.

[toddytodd]

Angelicus wrote: Politically_Correct wrote: I did not bother to read previous post in this topic, but when I was studying to be a minister and before I received my baptist ordantion (I'm Catholic now), I brought this up to my mentor.

It would not effect us at all, simply because we do not believe that such a thing exist. The reason why is-- Jesus died for man. There is no way for us to witness to these "creatures," and thus, no way they can becomed saved. Also, the only thing that could reach them would be Angels--and Angels cannot spread the gospel.

It would not effect me if they did, regardless.

So its your position then that forgivness and salvation are only available to mankind?

While I will be the first too agree that the fallen angels for example will never repent, lets suppose one did. God in his infinite love wisdom and mercy, would still send that angelic being to hell at the final judgement?

And if thats the case, why is it that God should love us, more than the angels? After all, the angelic hosts were the first creation, not man.

I am sorry, I have a hard time accepting that God loves mankind anymore than his other creations. In part because if he did, then God would not be an impartial father and thus, not just.
That's a very interesting concept that I haven't consider previously. Something to think about - thanks for the post.