Pivotal question? Christians, does the human race's eventual expansion to and settlement on other planets...

Funny,I just got through watching the sci-fi channel version of "DUNE". It ,makes me think that religion will evolve over the coming centuries and new relgions will arise as well. The Bene Gesserit in the movie are what remains of the catholic church. They have different rules than the church today and they seem to use science when they see fit. The Freman on Arrakis seem to have invented an entirely new religion based on I don't know what. It seems to have things in common with Islam but it really doesn't.

Finally my answer to your question is no. There are those in our society who need a crutch to get through life.Religion will change or it will become irrelevant. The sooner the christians realize that it needs to change the better.

I don't understand the demand for scriptural support.

There's none for Italy winning the Football world cup last year. There's also no scriptural support for my nickname being "kwaaikat".

Why do you think Christianity is against man's expansion into other planets?

Aside from all that, and exciting as it may sound to me, the logistical barriers to be overcome, in settling on our close neighbours, the Moon are Mars are substantial. Wikipedia and howstuffworks.com have lot's of info on that. So trust me, it won't happen soon. If it happens there's no problem, I'd be the first to go there. I'd also be the first to try and make it happen.

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Reading your latest addition. No, sorry to dissapoint you, there's no scripture that says man will either leave or not leave earth. If scripture was that specific, I would have played the stockmarket and then retire. Scripture is about the way to heaven, and it is rather sparse on specifics such as whether or not man will colonise other planets, sporting events, elections etc..I recommend you consult wikipedia. It has large and interesting articles on the possibilities of expansion into space.

I can't provide Scriptural support for a voyage from Europe to America - why should I provide support for an unfortunately increasingly hypothetical move into space? Why would Scripture even bother to talk about that? It was written for the benefit of a Bronze Age/early Iron Age culture. Why would they care about - or even understand, for that matter - what space colonization is all about?

Perhaps you've covered this in other questions, but it seems uncommon nonsense to posit that moving into space would have any effect on Scripture or faith. I see no reason why it should.

Edit: My answer stands. There is no Scripture that talks about man leaving the surface of the Earth, either positively or negatively. Why would there be? That's not the purpose of Scripture.

I'm confused. Why does there have to be scripture that says that? There's no scripture that says, "On the morning of December 20, 2007 Rachel will have an omelet for breakfast," and yet I did.

Potential expansion to other areas of the galaxy wouldn't really change what I believe one way or another. As I said, I don't understand why it's important.

The Scriptures do not directly adress your question. If one takes an expansive reading (ie: doesn't cling to a literalist reading) of the frist 2 chapters of Genesis then you into the idea of a Universe (which is what the term "world" would have meant - all of creation) full of life. The "go forth" command could be read to mean going out into the expance of the universe and explore - otherwise it would be an awful waste of space.

God created us to be a part of the dynamics of the cosmic order and as such I would submit that we are called to go out and explore that which was created for life.

I am not a total believer but I think that if God created this wonderful world, which, if managed properly, would provide for us everything that we need, He/She would expect us to stay where we are and be good custodians. Other than that I agree with Peta. It is unlikely that any planet in the solar system can be colonized, and any others likely to be found would be too far away to get to.

I always wondered the religious perspective on this. With 200 Billion universes like ours in the galaxy, is god really only watching THIS planet? I think by that point in history, religion will be finished. There's just simply no answer.

Well, since many Christians believe this is not the only planet in the universe with human life on it right now, I'm not sure this would have much negative impact on the religion.

nothing pivotal about your question. The God of the Bible is the god of the universe, not just earth. If mankind ever runs away to another planet - I don't think that will happen but if it does - they won't run away from God's rule and authority.

People living on Mars need Jesus just as much as people on earth.

god bless

Yes, it does jive.

God put all of these other solar systems out there for us to discover.

I'm on your side. I think it is wonderful that there is so much out there for us.

Have a good day, friend.