Vatican says its OK to believe in Aliens

[lovuian]

Run time: 02:08 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmeE89SNHwg   Posted on YouTube: May 14, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 14, 2008 By DU Member: lovuian Views on DU: 1040

 
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From a great article posted by DUER Ghost in Machine
Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens
Published: 5/13/08, 4:25 PM EDT
By ARIEL DAVID

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom, he said.

The interview, headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother," covered a variety of topics including the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and science, and the theological implications of the existence of alien life.
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This is a Big step from the guys who put Galileo on trial for heresy
One wonders WHY they made the anouncement after so many years ???

[AnnieBW]

1. Because they believe in the Galactic Lord Xenu!

The Catholics are really Scientologists!

[lovuian]

3. Well this is pretty groundbreaking anouncement from Vatican

its a major religion of over millions telling them that the extraterestial is our brother

I have heard that the UN is working in closed doors developing a plan on how to handle if Extraterestials arrive to Earth
some of the governments of the World want the policy

Japan is one of them they just put up the recent Moon satellite

[ananda]

7. Dawg.

I hadn't realized that the Scientologists
believed in eti and an evil galactic overlord,
Xenu, who reminds me of American presidents
former and present.

How L Ron Hubbard got so much traction with
people must be an amazing story!

I really think that some people will believe
anything as long as it comes with a preacher.

[lovuian]

8. Its why we have Church and State separate

Funes urged the church and the scientific community to leave behind divisions caused by Galileo's persecution 400 years ago, saying the incident has "caused wounds."

In 1633 the astronomer was tried as a heretic and forced to recant his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun. Church teaching at the time placed Earth at the center of the universe.

"The church has somehow recognized its mistakes," he said. "Maybe it could have done it better, but now it's time to heal those wounds and this can be done through calm dialogue and collaboration."

Because sometimes Faith and reason clash and its amazing it took to 1992 to admit the Church made a mistake in Galileo's time
that doesn't help galileo much

Many of the Paintings in the video date back to the 1490's where artists painted flying saucers in their paintings
The vatican has a secret library with other paintings only few have seen

[Teaser]

2. Benedict tips his talon

err...hand.

[Joanne98]

4. Because they know they're real!!!!

[sasquatch]

5. Sounds like they're pandering to the mormons

:hide:

[lovuian]

6. Some of the Vatican paintings depict space ships

[jjr5]

9. Give them a break!

They're making the announcement even though our government hasn't. They've said it now. Plus the Church has backed claims made by early astronomers. The Catholic church is actually very vocal about scientific discoveries and developments!

[lovuian]

10. Its definitely taking the high ground

Extraterrestials are our brothers

[gorfle]

11. Nice pre-emptive move.

Ever day we hear about smaller and smaller planets that have been discovered. Recently I heard they have developed a technique to specifically identify liquid water planets.

It is only a matter of time before an Earth-like planet is discovered.

It would be wise of any religion not to take a stance on Earth being unique in the Universe - you'd hate to be proven wrong next week and have to explain your mistake...