RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (Full Version)

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drcain -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/21/2008 2:17:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

It would be bizarre to me that God would creats an infinite universe and only put life in one very very small corner.


When you can accept the fact that He did create the whole universe with just us in it, you will see God just a little bit clearer.

How awesome and beyond mind-boggling big He is, the evidence is there for us to see.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

There is no verse that says that, period.


You are right there, there is no verse (singular) that says that. There are very many verses (plural) that say that. And it doesn't require any special interpretation or understanding.

I can't and wont aregue the point with you, I will say to you in brotherly love that believing in life in other parts of the universe takes away from Jesus sacrifice and God's plan of salvation.

Consider: the plan of God is to rid His creation of the corruption that was caused by Lucifer when he fell. That is it. Everything you see, touch, smell, taste, feel, hear.... is all a plan to rid totally all of the corruption of sin.

Consider: Jesus will return to take His chosen people to Heaven. The Bible says that His chosen people are here.

Consider: God has only 1 begotton Son, and He was begotton in a small stable and laid in a manger. This Son was born, lived, died and was raised up to sit at the right hand of His Father until the day of Judgement.

quote:

And who says that inteligent life elsewhere needed a savior? Maybe the did not fall.

Wow! Just wow. Lets seek out these perfect beings and get friendly with them then.

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:22

This is a stumbling block for you, I can see. Please consider seriously and seek God's grace for knowledge. And when you can see, then all of the Sci-Fi shows will be ruined for you as they were for me.



Pauley464 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/21/2008 3:00:03 PM)

As I said in my first post on this topic, I'm undecided on the existence of beings from other planets and spacecraft that convey them here for some purpose and quite frankly, I don't care either. I just find it a fascinating topic for recreational reading. But I am curious about why some people find the proposition so threatening. Whether the answer is "yes" or "no" about their existence it still doesn't matter, because it does nothing to take away from Gods glory nor does it impact our own salvation or our mandate to carry the gospel to all corners of our world.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/21/2008 9:02:20 PM)

quote:

When you can accept the fact that He did create the whole universe with just us in it, you will see God just a little bit clearer.


I am not sure I can say this and not offend you sir but this is a little.....I don't know...prideful? The universe is a very big place...so big its beyond our imagination as to how big. For us to be the only intellegent life would seem highly unlikely.

If so, it could put a damper on many people's ideas of when Jesus comes back...why would God make such a large place with only us in it...if not for us to use?That would suggest many many more years on this planet.....

or it could be "heaven" could be extraterrestial? Maybe heaven will be us after death or the end times, exploring the universe?

I don't know, and of course I am not God but it would seem a terrible waste of resources to create such a thing only to put intellegent life in one very small corner....

I just don't think humans are that special



ObviousLee -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 1:34:29 AM)

It's not at all unfathomable that we would be the only planet with life creation. It's not arrogant to assume that out of the vast universe we are the only ones. It's perhaps humbling if anything. In the book of Psalms, intrigue is expressed as to the mindfulness of God towards us little insignificant ants when compared to the perhaps more majestic angels.

We have a tendency to size everything up. Most things we can apply some sort of measurement to. However, the size of the universe is a complete mystery, even though it's part of the natural. Issues of time, dimension, quantity of colors, etc. is a different matter all together in the spiritual or God realm. Yes, we could definitely be the only ones.



drcain -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 5:57:05 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pauley464

I am curious about why some people find the proposition so threatening. Whether the answer is "yes" or "no" about their existence it still doesn't matter, because it does nothing to take away from Gods glory nor does it impact our own salvation or our mandate to carry the gospel to all corners of our world.

The smallest leak can sink a battleship if not taken care of at the beginning. Look at the ideas that come to mind when this heresy is considered.

quote:

"Why would God make such a large place with only us in it...

Let's look at the Bible and see why so that none of us can lean on our own knowledge, OK?

David answers this question with a question. It is a pretty deep question too.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? Psalm 8:3-4

By looking at the night sky and taking in all of the stars, we are given a real good example of just how great God is and how small we are. He is so great to even consider us, much less love us, that He would make the way for redemption for us. One of the reasons for a big creation is to get us to consider Him, to ponder on Him. To be in awe of Him. And to then seek Him.

For the best night time viewing of the sky without getting on a boat, look for Austin, Nevada on US 50, head east about 20 miles. That is Hickison Pass. Go another 15 miles and there is a wide spot to pull off the road and there are no lights to mess with the view. Just be careful, there is a military jet flyer out there that has a warped sense of humor and he will buzz you sometimes, at about 600 mph. That can be very exciting at 3 in the morning.

quote:

...if not for us to use?

US to use? US??? That, my friend, is arrogance. That is a self centered way of thinking about this.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

I will show wonders in the heavens... Joel 2:30a

God created the heavens for Himself. For His glory. For His use.

quote:

I find it a stretch to assume that if God did create sentient life elsewhere that they fell into sin as well.

"And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. Deuteronomy 4:19

For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? Psalm 89:6

Sin is everywhere and sin is sin on Earth as it is on Maxima Priori 3. Or wherever. Just putting a cool Sci-Fi name on that "somewhere else". And I like that question of David's in Psalm 89:6. If I may, you can put this into a modern day context: "If there are any people out there, how can they be perfect like God?" If there were people, aliens, out there, they are not sinless.








quote:

I just don't think humans are that special

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

God thinks that we are special. At least special enough to die for.









I am not going to bang my head on this anymore, I think.



ChoirDJ -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 11:00:27 AM)

The existence of aliens have been well documented over the last 50 years. What's the matter with you? Don't you read the tabloids? You need to get in line with you MIL's point of view on this one (lol).



Kath -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 11:54:27 AM)

quote:

The existence of aliens have been well documented over the last 50 years. What's the matter with you? Don't you read the tabloids?


[sm=purplelaugh.gif][sm=purplelaugh.gif][sm=purplelaugh.gif]



terryjohn -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 12:33:16 PM)

The question of aliens is not a silly one and we would also want to ask why are so many only too willing to believe in aliens and not the historical Christ? You would also want to know why if there were so many alien sightings and abductions why these aliens still want to hide?

The issue of their having different forms would not be that problematic for as humans we live with differences from one human to another, however, what would be problematic is to meet aliens with no concept or knowledge of God or Christ and His righteousness for that would really make us wonder what purpose they served in the greater plan of God.That is could they be saved or otherwise? Especially if they looked so different from us. Nevertheless, if they looked like us and have come billions of light years across space and know of Christ that to would be just as frightening for faith would be demanded.

Interestingly, I once read a Christian womans testimony of having been stopped by UFOs on a lone streach of road one night and the first thing that poped in to her mind was the question, Do they know of Christ? So she asked them and the only response she got was that they hastily departed. Her only conclusion was they were demonic rather than alien. But then again demons are from another world so to speak are could be therefore "aliens". It is interesting also to learn that other cultures and countries do not have such stories of aliens or abductions wich makes you wonder why aliens only abduct Americans?

When I was teaching some students in Asia we were talking about wether their were aliens. I said I believed in aliens but my students did not so I pulled out my alien registration card to prove I was in fact one.

Another interesting thing I saw once was a Star Trek program were they visited a planet much like ours and found someone like Christ preaching the same message to a people who were about to crucify him for the same reasons. Needless to say they were tempted to stop this but on recalling Christs need to be crucified they did not. Despite this, it made me wonder why God would not want to fill the universe with uncountable planets like ours and to each Christ would have to set about dieing for. I also wonder that what if as sons and daughters of God that He may require us to be one day Christ to another world?

In the end, an unbelievers desire to accept the existence of aliens and not Christ is a question we want to ask.



Kath -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 1:26:44 PM)

quote:

Interestingly, I once read a Christian womans testimony of having been stopped by UFOs on a lone streach of road one night and the first thing that poped in to her mind was the question, Do they know of Christ? So she asked them and the only response she got was that they hastily departed. Her only conclusion was they were demonic rather than alien.


I can believe this.



Pauley464 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 9:08:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: terryjohn
It is interesting also to learn that other cultures and countries do not have such stories of aliens or abductions wich makes you wonder why aliens only abduct Americans?




I feel the need to correct you on this matter. Nearly every nation and culture on the planet have their own alien encounter and abduction legends. Mexico and every country in Central and South America, Russia, China, Japan. European countries like Belgium, France, England and the rest of Asia and Europe all have stories of UFO sightings and abductions of it's citizens. Russia has it's own version of the Roswell incident. Great Britian even had a governmental body set up to investigate Ufo sightings. The X-Files TV series was based on this investigative body.
The point is---The United States of America is not alone in this phenomenon.

Nor Bigfoot and lake monster sightings either, but that's another post.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 9:19:30 PM)

quote:

...if not for us to use?
US to use? US??? That, my friend, is arrogance. That is a self centered way of thinking about this.


If you quoted the entire thought you would see I was trying to point out a possibility why God would create such a large place with only intellegent life in one very small corner....our future use of this area for expansion.

It wouldn't surprise me if satan used aliens to confuse us.....would this prove alien existance in a back handed way? Since satan perverts truth...maybe there is a truth to pervert? he is not creative so.....[:D]

( By the way for literal minded people that was another supposition )



sasquash_0 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 9:54:31 PM)

Wow, I did not anticipate nor expect this kind of response. Thanks to all for your insight. I stilll stand by original position I know it's the truth as arrogant s it may seem, however I think God finds no arrogance in it, the truth is not arrogant. Thank-You to those whose posted scripture from the word I love having backup in these things. I've always listened to God and tryed to understand and hear him purely and hold onto that strongly, I understand alot better if I just listen to God and do what h Now I know the basics of scripture however I've never been someone who can spout it out at a moments notice. The older I'm getting the more I find I really need to have a solid foundation in the scriptures as well, life can get confusing and sometimes in a moment of stress or challenge we can easily forget and say the wrong thing, I guess I am maturing in my faith. Erza this is exactly my feeling couldn't have said it better, I will keep those passages in mind the next time this comes up.



sasquash_0 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/22/2008 9:56:43 PM)

Excuse me, I meant DrCain not Erza wrong thread................still point was taken...thanks



Annie64 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/23/2008 3:32:10 AM)

I just read through this thread and I'd like to jump in with my opinion.

I don't believe there are any aliens. I won't dogmatically say there aren't any. If there really did turn out to be life on other planets, and we ever came into contact with them in any way, it would play havoc with the way sci-fi is written, and with what people who believe in aliens believe about them.

Aliens could not be real if they had to be as you see them in science fiction. They would not be more highly "evolved" than us. They would not be endowed with special supernatural powers. They would not be fighting wars because they would be unfallen. I do not buy that Jesus would have died over and over again on other worlds. The Bible does say that He did it once for all. And when I think of what actually happened to Him in the events leading up to the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself, I do not want to think of Him having to go through it again even once. When Jesus died for us, He was fully human. So how could this redemption be valid for a non-human alien? But if He died once for all, how would it not be valid for an alien, if there were any aliens? I do think intelligent aliens, if they existed, would have freedom of choice, so I think it would be possible for them to fall. There have been angels who have fallen. Aren't demons fallen angels? But God did not provide redemption for them. So if there were non-human aliens who fell, there wouldn't be redemption for them. But God is merciful, so how could this be? So I think that if there were aliens, they would be unfallen. I think they would know about God and would serve Him and praise Him as angels do, though in a lesser capacity. And I think they would be subject to death, and that would be our fault. Creation wasn't subject to death before the fall of man (I know, if you're not a young earth creationist, you probably wouldn't agree with this, but that is what I believe). Therefore, what Adam and Eve did not only made us subject to death, and our dogs subject to death, and the tigers we'll never come into contact with, but also, if you accept that aliens are real, beings millions of light years away!

I also think that if there was intelligent life on other planets, and if it ever came into contact with us, they would see us as greater than them, and not the other way around. Humans are the only creatures made in the image of God. And if there were unfallen aliens, they would recognize that in us, which they would not have.

I think it's possible to come up with a sci-fi story that fits all these parameters. That's why I won't say dogmatically that there aren't any aliens. The idea can be made to fit, or at least sort of fit, the Christian world view. I have read C.S. Lewis' space trilogy and greatly enjoyed it. From a creative standpoint, I love how he turned War of the Worlds on it's head in Out of the Silent Planet. I think if I were ever to follow my dream and write something like this of my own, it would also turn the sci-fi we're acquainted with on its head.

Dave, I wish you had finished your story. Maybe you can do it yet. I think it's a good idea for there to be stories like that out there, because the Bible speaks of being all things to all men in order to win them. This is a genre that does speak to people, and people like the OP's MIL also need to be reached with the Gospel.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/23/2008 8:00:46 AM)

quote:

They would not be more highly "evolved" than us.


There are older areas of the universe and its possible that there are more advanced civilizations.

quote:

Humans are the only creatures made in the image of God.


...on this planet.

quote:

I do not buy that Jesus would have died over and over again on other worlds. The Bible does say that He did it once for all. And when I think of what actually happened to Him in the events leading up to the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself, I do not want to think of Him having to go through it again even once. When Jesus died for us, He was fully human. So how could this redemption be valid for a non-human alien? But if He died once for all, how would it not be valid for an alien, if there were any aliens? I do think intelligent aliens, if they existed, would have freedom of choice, so I think it would be possible for them to fall. There have been angels who have fallen. Aren't demons fallen angels? But God did not provide redemption for them. So if there were non-human aliens who fell, there wouldn't be redemption for them. But God is merciful, so how could this be? So I think that if there were aliens, they would be unfallen. I think they would know about God and would serve Him and praise Him as angels do, though in a lesser capacity. And I think they would be subject to death, and that would be our fault. Creation wasn't subject to death before the fall of man (I know, if you're not a young earth creationist, you probably wouldn't agree with this, but that is what I believe). Therefore, what Adam and Eve did not only made us subject to death, and our dogs subject to death, and the tigers we'll never come into contact with, but also, if you accept that aliens are real, beings millions of light years away!


I think these all could be explained.

An alien by its nature would be...alien. Too much of science fiction today is not very imaginative...and too many sci fi readers want "canned" aliens that often resemble us so much there isn't any real difference.

I can see God creating varieties of intellegent life that would so astound us by their very natures that it would be hard to imagine. I am not saying better, they might be "worse"...or they could be completely different.

The image of God is more charactor, or better put Spirit, than physical looks. I can see many different physical charactoristics that could still be in the image of God.

I think they call this xenophobia? A prejudice against aline species...??

eh



ObviousLee -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/23/2008 3:34:30 PM)

There's no doubt in my mind that the common alien experience (abductions, etc.) are demonic. However, like most mythical monsters, there's deep rooted psychology involved. In most cases, abductees describe their assailants as looking like pre-conceived babies (big head, little eyes, small body). The ships they are taken to are described as being larger from the interior which is the common perception of an infant in the womb. There's also common talk of a 'mother ship'.



DaveW -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/26/2008 12:54:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: terryjohn

Interestingly, I once read a Christian womans testimony of having been stopped by UFOs on a lone streach of road one night and the first thing that poped in to her mind was the question, Do they know of Christ? So she asked them and the only response she got was that they hastily departed. Her only conclusion was they were demonic rather than alien.
Yeah, I get that.

A couple of friends and I started a UFO club back in HS. (being pres of a student organization always looks good on the college apps even if the club is kinda wacky) We read a LOT of reports. Those "aliens" who talked of "spiritual" things without exception spoke of a coming new world order, an age of enlightenment, free of any religion. Since some of us were believers, we took the close encounter instances all to be demonic in nature.



1love1God1way -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/26/2008 2:15:38 PM)

The only people I have ever seen talk about getting abducted by aliens are buck-toothed corn-fed hill-billy farmers who probably married their cousin.

I wonder why the aliens are so fascinated with these types of people?



walker3 -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (2/27/2008 4:15:28 PM)

I don't live far from Roswell and I've been to the museum but I don't buy it. Everything looks man made and I think God could do a much better job...............
If you're coming to New Mexico, you'll enjoy the beauty of the Land of Enchantment better anyway.



MickinEngland -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/1/2008 2:08:32 AM)

Far too many people think they've been 'abducted' for it to be dismissed as nonsense.
Maybe power lines or assorted TV/radio waves affect the human brain in some way, triggering hallucinations or whatever.
I've had two close encounters myself which may have been caused by something like that, but no way would I go as far as to say I was 'abducted by aliens', I just don't know..:)



amyk -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/1/2008 6:39:29 AM)

quote:

If there were people, aliens, out there, they are not sinless.


I don't understand why there could not be aliens that are sinless. Aren't angels sinless? Weren't Adam and Eve sinless before the Fall? (And I don't know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden before the Fall - three days, thousand years, millions of years?)

I don't know whether there are aliens or not. I know God could have created them if He chose to. I don't see any contradiction with the Bible if there is some alien life form on some other planet.



MickinEngland -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/2/2008 6:37:39 AM)

Food for thought -

Jesus said "I am not of this world" (John 8:23)

"Praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above,
whose power is in the skies." (Psalm 68:33-34)

"God made the worlds.." (Heb 11:3 KJV)

"God sits on the circle of the earth" (Isa 40:22)

"God rides upon a swift cloud" (Isa 19:1)

"God goes by me but I see him not" (Job 9:10)

"With God a thousand years are as one day" (2 Pet 3:8 )

Jesus said "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring.." (John 10:16)



Ganthet -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/3/2008 5:09:29 PM)

I can't help but think of a quote attributed to Carl Sagan. I don't remember the whole thing but it went something like this: "We are supposed to believe that aliens have discovered the technology necessary to cross the vastness of space, taken the years necessary to do so, succeeded in finding a small planet orbiting a common star, but couldn't find a place to land?"



amyk -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/4/2008 10:40:44 AM)

If aliens had that much intelligence and got to earth and found out about all the sin here, maybe they would have enough intelligence to turn around and run back home!



WesP -> RE: Silly Question About Aliens?? (3/4/2008 10:51:04 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ganthet

I can't help but think of a quote attributed to Carl Sagan. I don't remember the whole thing but it went something like this: "We are supposed to believe that aliens have discovered the technology necessary to cross the vastness of space, taken the years necessary to do so, succeeded in finding a small planet orbiting a common star, but couldn't find a place to land?"


But they did land! The bad part is that every time they did, they died from exposure to our various microscopic critters. Haven't any of ya'll seen War of the Worlds??!!! That is a true documentary, people!!! There was a reason to use Tom Cruise! [8D]



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