What do you think about the recent discoveries related to exo-planets ( planets that orbit other stars ) and the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the Universe?
Believe it or not my response is based on religious teaching when i was in grade school
We were taught that God was a supreme being who made everything
I do not Know if there is more than one supreme being however we were taught that he was the master of the universes.
As space explorations developed over time and more planets discovered I never lost site of the mystery of God and the universe
It leaves one with the mystery of why would be the only one and is their more than one supreme being
Elise Gladstone
May 25, 2017
this is a great question – all my life even as a child – while listening to Carl Sagan – I thought about life elsewhere in the universe. First – with regard to religion – god or our creator- to me – is pure energy – as we all are- energy and matter to me are one. So – everything to me is basically made of the same ” star stuff” as Carl would say. And – For me – god created all of it – Judaism does not specially support or not support life elsewhere- but- it is deeply ingrained in our tradition to welcome the stranger!
I am sure somewhere on some planets that are like us- there must be beings kind of like us- it just makes sense. I could look at this from a scientific perspective or a religious perspective – but I kind of see the as difference sides to the same world. To me science and religion are complementary. So – go back to your initial question – Just as being human is a journey that god gave our souls to experience- whatever planets, stars etc we find in space – I think of it as a scavenger hunt that god left for us to learn, grow, and find our cousins on other worlds – yeah – I guess I would think of them as family members somehow connected to the same god or the same energy as everything is a form of energy anyway:)
George
February 5, 2018
I agree that God is energy. After all God and energy are both eternal. Life on other planets is “not on my radar screen” at this time. I am more concerned about life on this planet. We have our own aliens, those who don’t feel like the are part a society that values goodness and compassion. I respect all religions. My favorite religious teacher is the Dalai Lama who says “If you want to be happy, be compassionate.”
Patricia Tomaino
February 22, 2017
I enjoyed the comments of others, especially the succinctly stated point of view of one fellow, John O’Grady. Nicely put.
I think this does throw down the gauntlet for all of humanity, as it were. Who knows, should we collectively pull our noses from our navels, what yet-to-be potentials could be realized?
The adventure continues!!
Patricia Tomaino
February 22, 2017
I read a response from last April (a fellow named John O’Grady). I really like what he said.
I think this really does throw down the gauntlet for all of humanity in so many ways.
Should we decide to pull our noses from our navels, we may even realize potentials, personally and collectively, heretofore unknown to us.
Bill Sutherland
May 1, 2016
It’s hard to believe that our earth is the only planet to have life, as we know it, in this or any other galaxy. Can we really be so lucky? How can we safely believe that this is the case when UFO sightings are on the rise every year? When farmers’ fields have intricate patterns mysteriously carved on them overnight? Might we be the ones who are already being observed before we can observe anyone else? I’m only a casual observer of space so this question also raises other questions about any future intra/inter – galactic interactions for me…
Might our observers be only curious, as we are curious of them? Don’t forget that during our early history, explorers sought new lands to claim for their countries of origin – England, France, Italy and Spain. (I’m sorry if there are more but this is all I can remember from my Grade 9 history.) Or, might our observers have similar expansionist intentions? What happens if there is more than one that wants us? Oh, brother…
I had never thought about other life forms in space much before but to describe my thoughts now… I sure hope these guys are friendly.
Thanks for your thoughts and I’m so glad that you raised the point ” I sure hope these guys are friendly”…Although it may be a bit tongue in cheek, it makes me wonder how many other folks are wondering the same thing and hence, the concerns I raised in my intro, about fear. The fear, whether conscious or subconscious , I had attributed at least partially to the common public media and pop culture characterization of “aliens” as villains and invaders. But the point you raise about our early human history is critical…Could it that we fear any future visitors might be just like us—or to be specific–just like the worst of us? Now that is a scary thought!!!
As for me personally, I actually have never envisioned any ET life in this way. I am still pondering what defines life and whether finding bacteria and the building blocks of life on other planet, as I’m certain that we will, means that life is just springing up or has come and gone.
Elise Gladstone
June 2, 2017
I am quite sure there are many levels of life out there from the bacteria to sentient beings. Why should we fear? They are just as likely to be curious and friendly as we would be. Fear will not help and we have no evidence of a need for it. I feel it’ just a matter of time. All part of our spiritual path to explore and find other life- could very well be more children of god:)
Guy
April 14, 2016
I am ,like so many of us , amazed by everything that involve the universe. Like the size of it (visible or known…93 billion light/year) , 30 billion planets in our galaxy alone if 10% of stars have planets … 100 billion galaxy in our observable universe … Just to mention a few numbers.
My believe is that us humans will be left with tons of questions regarding other intelligent life and likely will never get any answers.
Here’s my reasoning … First of all we are dealing with distances that are way too big. If there are advance civilizations that can travel the vast distance of space like us going on a trip to Florida… Why would they be interested in us enough to disturb our existence. They would have the technology to know everything about us and our planet without having to land.
Further more ,if they would be looking for material or even a new planet , they would have unlimited better options … Remember the big numbers at the top. I also believe that for anyone so advanced…We humans and everything we have here would be pretty boring.
Here’s an other completely different scenario that is also possible. Maybe the level of technology that you need to get to in order to have easy long distance space travel is very hard if not impossible to get to.
I have no doubt that other evolution of intelligent life happen in big numbers in the universe. The chain of evolution is probably never the same but the laws of physic should be the same everywhere.
So just like us , in order to evolve your technology , the planet that support your life takes one hell of a beating . When you get to a point that you have to chose between surviving and fixing your overpopulated/polluted/damaged planet or working on difficult long distance space travel , there would no other choice than working on survival and forget about the rest.
Maybe i am a little gloomy about where we are heading with taking care of our planet but unfortunately the good news are always very small compare to the bad ones.Our planet will survive and clean itself many times over but i don’t think that our civilization will.
It might very well be our fate and everybody else in the universe . That’s is why, i believe, we will never meet Mr. Starman.
Guy
April 14, 2016
I am ,like so many of us , amazed by everything that involve the universe. Like the size of it (visible or known…93 billion light/year) , 30 billion planets in our galaxy alone if 10% of stars have planets … 100 billion galaxy in our observable universe … Just to mention a few numbers.
My believe is that us humans will be left with tons of questions regarding other intelligent life and likely will never get any answers.
Here’s my reasoning … First of all we are dealing with distances that are too big. If there are advance civilizations that can travel the vast distance of space like us going on a trip to Florida… Why would they be interested in us enough to disturb our existence. They would have the technology to know everything about us and our planet without having to land.
Further more ,if they would be looking for material or even a new planet , they would have unlimited better options … Remember the big numbers at the top. I also believe that for anyone so advanced…We humans and everything we have here would be pretty boring.
Here’s an other completely different scenario that is also possible. Maybe the level of technology that you need to get to in order to have easy long distance space travel is very hard if not impossible to get to.
I have no doubt that other evolution of intelligent life happen in big numbers in the universe. The chain of evolution is probably never the same but the laws of physic should be the same everywhere.
So just like us , in order to evolve your technology , your planet that support your life takes one hell of a beating . If you get to a point that you have to chose between surviving and fixing your overpopulated/polluted/damaged planet or working on difficult long distance space travel , there would no other choice than working on survival and forget about the rest.
Maybe i am a little gloomy about where we are heading with taking care of our planet but unfortunately the good news are always very small compare to the bad ones.Our planet will survive and clean itself many times over but i don’t think that our civilization will.
It might very well be our fate and everybody else in the universe . That’s is why, i believe, we will never meet Mr. Starman.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. This is something that you have obviously given a great deal of thought and it’s wonderful to hear your speculations about other civilizations and why they would ( or wouldn’t ) want to visit us. It reminds me of my late Irish mother who, when I would ask questions about this or bring up my thoughts—she would offer her very practical Irish perspective. She would say “-sure we never have to worry about other civilizations coming here. They would take one look at one goes on around here and hop back in their spaceship and head the other way..” 🙂
All humour aside, your points about focusing our efforts to save our own planet are well taken and shared my many. Personally, I guess I’m a bit of an idealist and believe that we are driven ( programmed? ) to explore by God or the Universe or who or whatever you believe –and that we must continue to push beyond our borders. And perhaps someday, we will find the answers we seek.
John O'Grady
April 6, 2016
To me, the discovery of what is called exo-planets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, is almost a non-event. It is the rest of the world, starting to catch-up with thinkers who have assumed this for ages.
Look at it this way:
Why did engineers build spaceships to the moon?
Why have we sent satellites to other planets and even outside the solar system?
One answer is because we know we are destined to go there and that “there” will include planets around other stars.
Columbus Phase II.
It would be very arrogant of us to believe we are the only life form in the universe.
These “recent” discoveries can motivate us to be better care-takers of mother earth as well as mobilize us as a race, the human race, to unite and move forth into the universe.
I have often reflected on the same point that you have made about mobilizing us as a race—the human race. Perhaps the discovery of intelligent life on other planets will finally end the pettiness of racism on this planet. Well–one can hope!!!
Last year I began writing a novel series, looking at the implications of recent developments in physics, astro-physics, and through a speculative lens into the future. While most of my writing is theological, it was fun to imagine where the future might take us. http://nextreformation.com/?p=12732
Kepler and soon JWST are opening the windows wider for us! As a person of faith and a teacher of theology I see these developments as opening us to the wonders of the cosmos and God’s good creation. Perhaps an element of humility as we discover that while we are deeply loved by God, he also loves the good Universe he created. John 3:16 is bigger than we thought!
What a wonderful thought and I love the metaphor of the “windows ” of the Universe opening for us with these discoveries. And as technology advances, that window is going to open wider and it is exciting to ponder what wonders await us. Thanks for your post-so nice to hear that you welcome these new thoughts and potential order of things without fear and can so easily integrate them into your obviously strong faith. Very cool 🙂
Cindy Backen
March 21, 2016
I have always felt that the universe holds the mystery of our existence on this tiny planet earth. The universe has meaning for everyone. That is why I think this is a wonderful blog and visitors will have a strong impulse to share in these questions.
Thanks so much for that thought. And the Universe–and what we understand it to be –is growing vaster every day, it seems, as we discover things like gravitational waves and hear discussions about things like alternate universes–even alternate dimensions. Pretty mind boggling! But I think that the fundamental question that drives us all , regardless of faith, creed or idealogy , is to understand our place in the Cosmos. Science will bring us the discoveries that will help us ponder that but one finds the answer to that question in our belief systems, whether organized religion, philosophy or world view. I am hoping that this blog will provide a forum for visitors to share their thoughts and feelings on this subject so we may all learn from each other.
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Believe it or not my response is based on religious teaching when i was in grade school
We were taught that God was a supreme being who made everything
I do not Know if there is more than one supreme being however we were taught that he was the master of the universes.
As space explorations developed over time and more planets discovered I never lost site of the mystery of God and the universe
It leaves one with the mystery of why would be the only one and is their more than one supreme being
this is a great question – all my life even as a child – while listening to Carl Sagan – I thought about life elsewhere in the universe. First – with regard to religion – god or our creator- to me – is pure energy – as we all are- energy and matter to me are one. So – everything to me is basically made of the same ” star stuff” as Carl would say. And – For me – god created all of it – Judaism does not specially support or not support life elsewhere- but- it is deeply ingrained in our tradition to welcome the stranger!
I am sure somewhere on some planets that are like us- there must be beings kind of like us- it just makes sense. I could look at this from a scientific perspective or a religious perspective – but I kind of see the as difference sides to the same world. To me science and religion are complementary. So – go back to your initial question – Just as being human is a journey that god gave our souls to experience- whatever planets, stars etc we find in space – I think of it as a scavenger hunt that god left for us to learn, grow, and find our cousins on other worlds – yeah – I guess I would think of them as family members somehow connected to the same god or the same energy as everything is a form of energy anyway:)
I agree that God is energy. After all God and energy are both eternal. Life on other planets is “not on my radar screen” at this time. I am more concerned about life on this planet. We have our own aliens, those who don’t feel like the are part a society that values goodness and compassion. I respect all religions. My favorite religious teacher is the Dalai Lama who says “If you want to be happy, be compassionate.”
I enjoyed the comments of others, especially the succinctly stated point of view of one fellow, John O’Grady. Nicely put.
I think this does throw down the gauntlet for all of humanity, as it were. Who knows, should we collectively pull our noses from our navels, what yet-to-be potentials could be realized?
The adventure continues!!
I read a response from last April (a fellow named John O’Grady). I really like what he said.
I think this really does throw down the gauntlet for all of humanity in so many ways.
Should we decide to pull our noses from our navels, we may even realize potentials, personally and collectively, heretofore unknown to us.
It’s hard to believe that our earth is the only planet to have life, as we know it, in this or any other galaxy. Can we really be so lucky? How can we safely believe that this is the case when UFO sightings are on the rise every year? When farmers’ fields have intricate patterns mysteriously carved on them overnight? Might we be the ones who are already being observed before we can observe anyone else? I’m only a casual observer of space so this question also raises other questions about any future intra/inter – galactic interactions for me…
Might our observers be only curious, as we are curious of them? Don’t forget that during our early history, explorers sought new lands to claim for their countries of origin – England, France, Italy and Spain. (I’m sorry if there are more but this is all I can remember from my Grade 9 history.) Or, might our observers have similar expansionist intentions? What happens if there is more than one that wants us? Oh, brother…
I had never thought about other life forms in space much before but to describe my thoughts now… I sure hope these guys are friendly.
Thanks for your thoughts and I’m so glad that you raised the point ” I sure hope these guys are friendly”…Although it may be a bit tongue in cheek, it makes me wonder how many other folks are wondering the same thing and hence, the concerns I raised in my intro, about fear. The fear, whether conscious or subconscious , I had attributed at least partially to the common public media and pop culture characterization of “aliens” as villains and invaders. But the point you raise about our early human history is critical…Could it that we fear any future visitors might be just like us—or to be specific–just like the worst of us? Now that is a scary thought!!!
As for me personally, I actually have never envisioned any ET life in this way. I am still pondering what defines life and whether finding bacteria and the building blocks of life on other planet, as I’m certain that we will, means that life is just springing up or has come and gone.
I am quite sure there are many levels of life out there from the bacteria to sentient beings. Why should we fear? They are just as likely to be curious and friendly as we would be. Fear will not help and we have no evidence of a need for it. I feel it’ just a matter of time. All part of our spiritual path to explore and find other life- could very well be more children of god:)
I am ,like so many of us , amazed by everything that involve the universe. Like the size of it (visible or known…93 billion light/year) , 30 billion planets in our galaxy alone if 10% of stars have planets … 100 billion galaxy in our observable universe … Just to mention a few numbers.
My believe is that us humans will be left with tons of questions regarding other intelligent life and likely will never get any answers.
Here’s my reasoning … First of all we are dealing with distances that are way too big. If there are advance civilizations that can travel the vast distance of space like us going on a trip to Florida… Why would they be interested in us enough to disturb our existence. They would have the technology to know everything about us and our planet without having to land.
Further more ,if they would be looking for material or even a new planet , they would have unlimited better options … Remember the big numbers at the top. I also believe that for anyone so advanced…We humans and everything we have here would be pretty boring.
Here’s an other completely different scenario that is also possible. Maybe the level of technology that you need to get to in order to have easy long distance space travel is very hard if not impossible to get to.
I have no doubt that other evolution of intelligent life happen in big numbers in the universe. The chain of evolution is probably never the same but the laws of physic should be the same everywhere.
So just like us , in order to evolve your technology , the planet that support your life takes one hell of a beating . When you get to a point that you have to chose between surviving and fixing your overpopulated/polluted/damaged planet or working on difficult long distance space travel , there would no other choice than working on survival and forget about the rest.
Maybe i am a little gloomy about where we are heading with taking care of our planet but unfortunately the good news are always very small compare to the bad ones.Our planet will survive and clean itself many times over but i don’t think that our civilization will.
It might very well be our fate and everybody else in the universe . That’s is why, i believe, we will never meet Mr. Starman.
I am ,like so many of us , amazed by everything that involve the universe. Like the size of it (visible or known…93 billion light/year) , 30 billion planets in our galaxy alone if 10% of stars have planets … 100 billion galaxy in our observable universe … Just to mention a few numbers.
My believe is that us humans will be left with tons of questions regarding other intelligent life and likely will never get any answers.
Here’s my reasoning … First of all we are dealing with distances that are too big. If there are advance civilizations that can travel the vast distance of space like us going on a trip to Florida… Why would they be interested in us enough to disturb our existence. They would have the technology to know everything about us and our planet without having to land.
Further more ,if they would be looking for material or even a new planet , they would have unlimited better options … Remember the big numbers at the top. I also believe that for anyone so advanced…We humans and everything we have here would be pretty boring.
Here’s an other completely different scenario that is also possible. Maybe the level of technology that you need to get to in order to have easy long distance space travel is very hard if not impossible to get to.
I have no doubt that other evolution of intelligent life happen in big numbers in the universe. The chain of evolution is probably never the same but the laws of physic should be the same everywhere.
So just like us , in order to evolve your technology , your planet that support your life takes one hell of a beating . If you get to a point that you have to chose between surviving and fixing your overpopulated/polluted/damaged planet or working on difficult long distance space travel , there would no other choice than working on survival and forget about the rest.
Maybe i am a little gloomy about where we are heading with taking care of our planet but unfortunately the good news are always very small compare to the bad ones.Our planet will survive and clean itself many times over but i don’t think that our civilization will.
It might very well be our fate and everybody else in the universe . That’s is why, i believe, we will never meet Mr. Starman.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. This is something that you have obviously given a great deal of thought and it’s wonderful to hear your speculations about other civilizations and why they would ( or wouldn’t ) want to visit us. It reminds me of my late Irish mother who, when I would ask questions about this or bring up my thoughts—she would offer her very practical Irish perspective. She would say “-sure we never have to worry about other civilizations coming here. They would take one look at one goes on around here and hop back in their spaceship and head the other way..” 🙂
All humour aside, your points about focusing our efforts to save our own planet are well taken and shared my many. Personally, I guess I’m a bit of an idealist and believe that we are driven ( programmed? ) to explore by God or the Universe or who or whatever you believe –and that we must continue to push beyond our borders. And perhaps someday, we will find the answers we seek.
To me, the discovery of what is called exo-planets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, is almost a non-event. It is the rest of the world, starting to catch-up with thinkers who have assumed this for ages.
Look at it this way:
Why did engineers build spaceships to the moon?
Why have we sent satellites to other planets and even outside the solar system?
One answer is because we know we are destined to go there and that “there” will include planets around other stars.
Columbus Phase II.
It would be very arrogant of us to believe we are the only life form in the universe.
These “recent” discoveries can motivate us to be better care-takers of mother earth as well as mobilize us as a race, the human race, to unite and move forth into the universe.
Columbus Phase ll—Love it:))
I have often reflected on the same point that you have made about mobilizing us as a race—the human race. Perhaps the discovery of intelligent life on other planets will finally end the pettiness of racism on this planet. Well–one can hope!!!
Last year I began writing a novel series, looking at the implications of recent developments in physics, astro-physics, and through a speculative lens into the future. While most of my writing is theological, it was fun to imagine where the future might take us. http://nextreformation.com/?p=12732
Kepler and soon JWST are opening the windows wider for us! As a person of faith and a teacher of theology I see these developments as opening us to the wonders of the cosmos and God’s good creation. Perhaps an element of humility as we discover that while we are deeply loved by God, he also loves the good Universe he created. John 3:16 is bigger than we thought!
What a wonderful thought and I love the metaphor of the “windows ” of the Universe opening for us with these discoveries. And as technology advances, that window is going to open wider and it is exciting to ponder what wonders await us. Thanks for your post-so nice to hear that you welcome these new thoughts and potential order of things without fear and can so easily integrate them into your obviously strong faith. Very cool 🙂
I have always felt that the universe holds the mystery of our existence on this tiny planet earth. The universe has meaning for everyone. That is why I think this is a wonderful blog and visitors will have a strong impulse to share in these questions.
Thanks so much for that thought. And the Universe–and what we understand it to be –is growing vaster every day, it seems, as we discover things like gravitational waves and hear discussions about things like alternate universes–even alternate dimensions. Pretty mind boggling! But I think that the fundamental question that drives us all , regardless of faith, creed or idealogy , is to understand our place in the Cosmos. Science will bring us the discoveries that will help us ponder that but one finds the answer to that question in our belief systems, whether organized religion, philosophy or world view. I am hoping that this blog will provide a forum for visitors to share their thoughts and feelings on this subject so we may all learn from each other.