Vatican says aliens could exist

[6souls]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...le_afp226b.jpg
Father Funes says the universe is so vast that other life forms may exist

The Pope's chief astronomer says that life on Mars cannot be ruled out.

Writing in the Vatican newspaper, the astronomer, Father Gabriel Funes, said intelligent beings created by God could exist in outer space.

Father Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory near Rome, is a respected scientist who collaborates with universities around the world.

The search for forms of extraterrestrial life, he says, does not contradict belief in God.

The official Vatican newspaper headlines his article 'Aliens Are My Brother'.

'Free from sin'

Just as there are multiple forms of life on earth, so there could exist intelligent beings in outer space created by God. And some aliens could even be free from original sin, he speculates.

Asked about the Catholic Church's condemnation four centuries ago of the Italian astronomer and physicist, Galileo, Father Funes diplomatically says mistakes were made, but it is time to turn the page and look towards the future.

Science and religion need each other, and many astronomers believe in God, he assures readers.

To strengthen its scientific credentials, the Vatican is organizing a conference next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the author of the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7399661.stm

on a side note;

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...7_saucer_3.jpg

Previously classified files on UFO sightings in the UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7398491.stm

[Marsala]

Of course you can't count Mars out. That's where we spotted the transformer...

[Conrad]

http://www.angelfire.com/vamp/mephis...others/d23.gif

[Kaylia]

Not quite sure what's the point of this thread or BBC article. Vatican is accepting explanation from sciences for a long time already, and something like this is not new. People need to stop confusing philosophical/theological debate to sciences, and need to give religions a break.

The only reason they are making similar statement is to shut the mouth of certain stupid fanatics people (ie: hardcore creationist).

[Pirian]

It's only a matter of time before missionaries head out into space to beat christianity into...err I mean save some more souls!



...Oh well at least now we'll probably have manned space exploration in my lifetime wooo

[Raineer]

I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life and I still can't wait for us to find microbiological life on somewhere like Europa so all the diehard creationists can STFU.

It's people like that which make the rest of the world think lolcatholic.

[gt_killa]

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...IsOutThere.jpg

[Xavier]

Take this news with a grain of salt, they also say God could exist.

[TacoTaru]

Take this news with a grain of salt, they also say God could exist.

I chuckled.

[EternityEnd]

Take this news with a grain of salt, they also say God could exist.

Fucking lol'd.

[Exoduso]

lolreligion.

[Raineer]

lolreligion.

Pretty much, but it is something to pass the time. See Pascal's wager.

[Jefe]

^Pascal's wager, although interesting i.e. it's better to bet for him versus against, it does suffer from a bunch of weaknesses. I'd rather go w/ Anselm's Ontological Argument ;p

Anyways, Catholic here, I don't believe the holy spirit is going to rescue me when in dire need, etc. etc. I was given the intellect to fill in the blank w/ moral and ethical values, the end.

[MisterBob]

^Pascal's wager, although interesting i.e. it's better to bet for him versus against, it does suffer from a bunch of weaknesses. I'd rather go w/ Anselm's Ontological Argument ;p

Comparing those two arguments is moronic.

[Obev]

Considering they're led by a Dark Lord of the Sith, I thought it was only a matter of time before they admitted they were keeping Yoda locked up in the basement.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1...patine0dw3.jpg

[Blarg]

^Pascal's wager, although interesting i.e. it's better to bet for him versus against, it does suffer from a bunch of weaknesses. I'd rather go w/ Anselm's Ontological Argument ;p

Comparing those two arguments is moronic.

Well they are both dumb if thats the basis for his comparison.

[Fhqwghads]

It amuses me that religions don't accept the theory of evolution, considering that's exactly what religion has been undergoing the more science advances.

[Tomk]

To strengthen its scientific credentials, the Vatican is organizing a conference next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the author of the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin.

I feel like I'm being Whooshed

[Senoska]

Science and religion need each other.

WAT

[guartz]

It's only a matter of time before missionaries head out into space to beat christianity into...err I mean save some more souls!

for the emperor of mankind, saviour of humanity!

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...r%2040K/8b.jpg