Denver Newsroom, Jan 13, 2021 / 03:01 am (CNA).- This week, scientists discovered an FM radio signal emitting from Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter. No, it’s not aliens blasting some Kanye, NASA said, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon.
But what if scientists someday do discover intelligent extraterrestrials? What would that mean for humans? How would these beings relate to God, and in turn, how would humanity be called to relate to them? Or what if man-made AI started thinking for itself?
These are the kinds of questions that Society of Catholic Scientists will address at their conference in June.
“It’s a very hot subject scientifically now, because scientists have begun to discover large numbers of planets orbiting other stars. They’re called exoplanets…and many of them are habitable in theory,” Stephen Barr, president and co-founder of the Society of Catholic Scientists, told CNA.
“And it’s only going to become a bigger subject scientifically as more and more planets are discovered, and as scientists think of ways to investigate them,” he said.
Barr is professor emeritus in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware and former director of its Bartol Research Institute.
He and some fellow Catholic scientists founded the SCS in 2016 with a desire to foster community among Catholic scientists, and to be a resource for Catholic science students and teachers. They also wanted to dispel the myth that Catholicism and science are somehow opposed. “People think that the world of science is completely atheistic, because up until now, atheist scientists have been much more outspoken,” Barr said. “We wanted…to make people aware that there are a lot of religious scientists out there, including a lot of believing Catholics.”
The SCS conference in June will address the topics of extraterrestrial as well as artificial intelligences from all kinds of scientific and theological angles, Barr said, such as whether aliens could have rational souls.
“It’s because we (humans) are free and rational that we are capable of love, and that we are spiritual. And so any being elsewhere in the universe to be a spiritual being…that requires a spiritual soul that is a gift from God. That’s why the Church teaches that every human being, from the first human beings, to every child that’s born or conceived, receives directly from God, – not simply just through the physics and chemistry, the biology of reproduction, but God – must act in a special way to confer a spiritual nature on a being,” Barr said.
The possibility of embodied spiritual beings who are not humans raises a host of additional questions, Barr added. “If there are rational beings elsewhere in the universe… would they be fallen? Would they need salvation?” he said.
Jonathan Lunine is the vice president of SCS and the David C. Duncan professor in the physical sciences of Cornell University and director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science. Lunine will be speaking at the SCS June conference about extraterrestrials from an astrophysical perspective.
“One of the things that I actually do work on is the question of whether there’s life elsewhere in the solar system and elsewhere in the cosmos,” Lunine said.
“And my interest in particular is not in looking for advanced civilizations,” he added. “I am interested in finding microbial life elsewhere in our own solar system. And in particular, as a first step, understanding which environments elsewhere in our solar system might support life.”
Lunine said that in the past 25 years, at least three moons in the outer solar system have been discovered to have oceans of liquid under their surfaces. “In the case of one of those, which is underneath the ice of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, that material is actually leaking out into space, it’s spewing out into space in form of water vapor and ice and dust,” he said.
“So we know that that ocean is salty. We know how salty it is. We know it has carbon-bearing molecules. Of course, carbon is the scaffolding of life.”
While microbial life, or any kind of life for that matter, has yet to be discovered in space, Lunine said it would be an “incredible discovery because it would tell us that in just one planetary system, our own in our galaxy, which contains 200 billion stars and probably as many planets, that the universe could be teaming with microbial life.”
As a Catholic, Lunine said the discovery of even microbial life would say something about the nature of God: “that we should not expect that life should have only begun on this planet, in the very same way that we should not expect that the only species of plants and animals that we see today on the earth are all there ever was over 4 billion years of the Earth’s history,” he said.
“Many theologians have pointed out that these wonderful creatures that we see in the fossil records that have evolved through time – that’s part of the super abundance of God’s creation. The same would be true for microbial life elsewhere in the universe.” Lunine said while the search for life is a “bona fide scientific goal,” he would leave most of the theological discussions up to the theologians.
As a practicing Catholic and scientist, Lunine said he hoped students of faith who were studying the sciences would look to SCS and famous scientists of faith to see that faith and science are not in conflict.
“I think many of us who are scientists, who have faith as well, feel that our faith gives us a deeper sense of appreciation for what it is that we’re discovering about the universe or about biology or whatever we’re studying in sciences,” he said.
Karin Öberg is an associate professor in the department of astronomy of Harvard University, and a convert to Catholicism. At the June conference, Öberg will be addressing the question of extraterrestrial intelligence from the perspective of astrochemistry.
The possibility of extraterrestrials “pushes us to think about what it means to be human,” she said. “When we think about intelligent extraterrestrials … it forces us to think about what makes humans special and to remind ourselves what some of the teachings of the Church are on that as well,” she said.
Oberg said one of the most interesting questions raised by the possibility of intelligent life outside of Earth is “if they exist, how that could possibly be reconciled with our salvation through the incarnation? And their possible salvation?”
It is something that the Church has not answered definitively, in part because intelligent extraterrestrials have yet to be discovered, if they exist at all. But Oberg said she and many scientists have an intuition that life does exist outside of the earth, at least in some form.
“I think if you polled scientists, the vast majority would say that they think it’s very likely that life exists elsewhere in the universe and perhaps quite abundantly,” she said.
For Oberg, membership in CSC has provided her with fellowship with other Catholic scientists. It also inspires her “to be a witness to younger Catholics, especially to Catholic students, to show by our lived lives that the faith and science exist quite harmoniously in both our private and professional lives, and that they don’t have to choose.”
She said she often wears a cross in class as part of that witness, to let other students of faith know that they belong in the sciences.
“I was a scientist before I was a Christian or a Catholic,” she said. “So I converted when I was in my late 20s, so after I’d gotten my PhD. I’ve never personally experienced any sense of conflict (between faith and science).”
Oberg said this idea of a faith-science conflict is really a “myth” born out of misunderstanding.
“It comes from, I would say, a misunderstanding either of what the Church teaches or a misunderstanding of what can actually be done with the scientific method, in terms of what things and processes are actually open for scientific investigation,” she said.
“Concepts such as the monotheistic God, or the soul of humans … are not actually open for scientific investigation and therefore not in conflict with scientific investigation.”
Christopher Baglow is the director of the Science and Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute for Church Life of the University of Notre Dame. He serves as a theologian and liaison for the SCS, and will be speaking at the June conference about the theological questions raised by the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
“What’s exciting to me (about SCS) is that here you have scientists beginning to think seriously about an important truth that animates our faith. And that’s great for them obviously as persons, but also as representatives of the faith in academia,” he said.
Besides the questions about incarnational salvation, Baglow said other interesting questions arise when considering what solidarity with extraterrestrial beings would look like.
Furthermore, he asked, if they are spiritual beings worshipping the triune God, how might their liturgies differ from those here on earth?
“We could imagine that they’re set in a different environment, a different rational species with a different evolutionary history than ours. Their sacraments might be different. What would the sacrament of initiation look like for an aquatic rational species? Would you take them out of the water three times?” he said.
While there are a lot of interesting questions surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligent beings, Baglow said that Christians can have serenity in the face of these questions.
“We do not need to be disturbed that we’re even asking them, because no matter what new truths we discovered through the use of reason or the use of technology, the truths of the faith will always be greater than them, and able to encompass them in some kind of harmony,” he said.
“One theologian might argue, ‘Well, I think there would be one salvific death for all species.’ Another might argue, like I do: ‘For every fallen species, the Son of God would enter into their actual condition.’”
“As long as we are all affirming the same principles, we can come to a number of different conclusions and have great arguments about it,” he said.
When it comes to artificial intelligences, Baglow said that while those also pose some interesting questions, it is unlikely that the Church would ever say that they have been given souls by God.
“I think that in the case of any AI, you would always have a situation where whatever has the appearance of reason and will would ultimately simply be an extension of the program or of programmers,” he said. “Even in those programs that can learn algorithms…they’re always learning within a certain parameter in which that learning is totally conditioned by the programmers that made it.”
The SCS 20201 conference will be held June 4-6 in Washington, D.C., and interested participants can find registration information on the SCS website.
Barr said he hoped more Catholic scientists would become involved in the society. He also encouraged other Catholics to make use of the resources available on the SCS website, such as biographies of Catholic scientists throughout history, or articles and videos about various topics and commonly asked questions about science and faith.
“One of our four missions is to be a resource for the public on science-based questions, for apologetics and catechetical and evangelization purposes. We want to be available to answer people’s questions. We’re not just for ourselves,” he said.
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As the results of this fair, unfair, take your choice election play out, and the illusory start of an era of peace and brotherly unity, the malignancy of self deception will come to fore to the delight of atheists and socialists and the chagrin, better dismay of Republicans and Catholics who voted for him. We need but wait until Biden if he is confirmed having promised to remove previous protection from the Little Sisters of the Poor noted here by CNA, enforces [here the senatorial miracle of the Marne and Trumps’ three Supreme Court justices may save the day] provision of abortifacients, and unrestricted abortion as rule of the Land. Minorities who voted for him with alacrity will find the only benefit the continued construction of Planned Parenthood facilities in their neighborhoods. Homosexuals will continue to propagate their self destructive moral disease on our children with Biden’s blessings. All under the pall of a deluded idea of freedom as true freedom. Faithful Catholics will suffer far more than previously but in doing so will merit far more than previously.
Let’s hope and pray Republicans can keep the Senate. Biden can’t do much with gridlock. Georgia voters, we’re watching you!
What a shame that our Bishops decided to wait until 2 weeks before the election to even MENTION abortion as a factor in one’s Catholic vote?? I can’t recall the last time I heard Catholic INSTRUCTION from the pulpit regarding Catholic position on homosexuality, abortion, trans-genderism or couples living together unmarried. The church has evidently decided to opt out of instructing its members in Catholic morals. Are they afraid that some will leave if their sin is pointed out? Or concerned about the loss of their donations? Or both? To that I say a smaller more faithful flock would not be a bad thing. And at least people would be fully informed about the TRUTH of Catholic belief. This election was a case of too little, too late, stated in a manner which was too timid.
Yes, the Senate is the thing now, as far as I can see. (Canadian here trying to follow the proceedings).
It will be interesting to see if/how Biden tries to rein in his left flank.
So God is cool with Francis as Pope and Uncle Joe as President of the USA. What good did prayer do, if this is the result? Call me Doubting Thomas: I need to see evidence that God is doing good things in the world and that perseverance in faithfully adhering to Catholic doctrine is worth it. Seems to me that being a Francis or Biden or Pelosi Catholic is the way to go. God doesn’t seem to mind.
Kevin: first piece of advice: turn off the TV. If you have FB or Instagram, suspend the accounts for awhile. Pick up a good book and read. Find a subject that interests you.
Things are bad, and I don’t mean to downplay that, nor downplay how much worse things can get. They may get much, much worse indeed.
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But as bad as things may get, they have been much worse than even that. God willing, we will not go through another Year A.D. 536 any time soon. That actually is the one Youtube video you might want to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBdedLx-GI
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Be thankful we will line 2020 and not 536.
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God gave people free will. Some choose to do truly horrific things, but others choose to help out their neightbor’s flooded home. I know, because I was a recipient of such assistance.
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Stop waiting for God to do good. YOU go do good. Perhaps then you will see that no, you have not been abadndonned.
*we live in 2020 not 536
Timeline is a great series. Ive actually watched that episode before.
There’s a wealth of good things to watch on YouTube. Thank you for sharing that link.
Come January 2021, the United States of America likely will have a Catholic President, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. We have finally made it in America! These three, and so many others like them, are a testament to what the Church in the US has become over the last sixty years. Bishops, behold the fruits of your and your predecessors’ labors.
That’s a good one.
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Hope they USCCB gets everything they have been promoting . . . good and hard.
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The following actions by Trump continue to validate that his narcissism just can’t allow him to lose. His close advisers have asked him not to pursue the frivolous and not supported by fact legal attempts, post election. Just imagine that Trump has not called Biden to offer “congratulations”. His DNA will not allow him to accept any advice he disagrees with even when facts support that difference. His epitaph will include he was the most polarizing president in history.
Because Trump’s arch supporters will no longer be able to enable him, thus they may put a “for sale” sign on their front doors. Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Newsmax and yes even the church. A major polarization is the subject of abortion. Trump, for political reasons, calls himself a “right to life” candidate when he was a pro-choice individual for most of this adult life. Biden has waffled on the subject. I do hold some hope that he will respect his churches value of life. I would ask Biden… look into the eyes of your precious children and tell me which one would you have aborted for frivolous reasons?
Excerpt:
“President Donald Trump has not conceded the election, citing recounts and legal challenges to some statewide counts. Since election night, Trump has alleged widespread fraud in the election and claimed himself to be the winner of all “legal votes.” On Saturday, he said calling the race was premature.
Tell me, morganB, back in 2000 when Kerry insisted that Bush hadn’t won and demanded a recount, were you advising him and his supporters that it was frivolous to demand a recount?
“Biden has waffled on the subject. I do hold some hope that he will respect his churches value of life. I would ask Biden… look into the eyes of your precious children and tell me which one would you have aborted for frivolous reasons?”
You are gullible beyond belief if you think that he will respect life, any more than Nancy Pelosi does. I’ll grant you that his surviving son is so precious to him that there is considerable evidence that he colluded with him to peddle influece and rake in money. But he sold his soul to the devil of abortion in order to get power; he’s unlikely to renege on his bargain now.
And abortion is wrong whether the reasons are frivolous or not.
Have you read about any of the shenanigans that went on regarding the vote? They’re not appearing on the mainstream media, of course, s perhaps you ought to do a little investigating of things like the late-night ballot dumps that all seemed to go in one direction, the statistical improbabilities, the preventing of Republican observers from geting close enough to observe…
Leslie, you seem to be anxious to convey your message. I don’t mind being tarred with a broad brush, but other souls may be insulted. All life is precocious. I would suggest that you lower the heat on the polarizing rhetoric. Your introspection would be a blessing.
If they are insulted by the truth, that’s a problem with which they will have to deal.
If you do indeed believe that all life is precious, why would you vote for the representatives of a party who support abortion to the last moment before birth and have not repudiated those members who approve the killing of babies who have already been born?
MorganB – so you don’t see the ridiculous irony of you telling someone to tone down on the polarizing rhetoric, you of all people! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You have no self-awareness.
All life is precocious(sic) morganB
You’re as much of a gaffeman as infanticide promoting Biden is, morgan. The sad thing is that neither one of you realizes it.
precocious adjective
pre·co·cious | \ pri-ˈkō-shəs
1 : exceptionally early in development or occurrence // precocious puberty
2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age // a precocious child
Trump has the right and responsibility to verify the results of the election, particularly in those states where there are clear indications of possible fraud. Your own narcissism prevents you from seeing that. Your assumption that Biden will change course on his unequivocal support for abortion is also disconnected from reality, which is par for the course in terms of your posts.
If Biden had not capitulated to the extremist edge of the pro feticide lobby his chances of being the Democrat candidate would have been nil. He really has not said no to any scenario right up until infanticide. Perhaps even that.
It’s just appalling.
Morgan,
Does it matter to a dead child if their life was taken frivolously? Does seriously considering the options before committing feticide make a difference to the deceased infant? The end result is the same.
Don’t presume to speak in ignorance on God’s behalf. The scriptures clearly teach that God’s patience in not punishing sin immediately should not be interpreted as Him being indifferent. The wrath of God will be revealed against all ungodliness at some point, even yourself you do not repent. Don’t worry about Francis, Pelosi, or Biden. Get your own spiritual house in order.
Then don’t ask me to help fix the world if God won’t do his part. How many prolifers have spent decades trying to make the country more prolife, only to have that go down the tubes with a “Catholic” president who will undo much of their work? They should be among the most demoralized of all. Thanks a lot, God.
How many pro-life people are undermining their pro-life-ness and the policies they wish to implement (elimination of abortion) while using contraception? The vast majority. I am even willing to bet a huge hunk of young people who go to pro-life rallies are participating in unrepentent fornication. They barely know any better. Many older ones are divorced/remarried.
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Contraception and abortion are linked. Always have been. Always will be. Planned Parenthood and Abortion, Inc. know it well even if “pro-life people” refuse to believe it. No one fights harder to flood society with contraceptives than Planned Parenthood. They would not do so except that it increases the “need” for abortion and their services. Planned Parenthood gleefully go into public schools and teach about the need for contraception so teens can explore their “sexuality” and engage in fornication–thereby increasing the need for contracptives and abortions.
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And based on what I have experienced with doctors, regular ob/gyns would rather have young people be on contraceptives, sexually active, and come down with a fertility-reducing STD than deal with a happily pregnant patient–because the happily pregnant patient is a walking medical malpractice lawsuite if she becomes unhappy and doesn’t have a perfect Gerber baby. It is simply not in an ob/gyn’s financial-bottom-line interest to have pregnant patients. Teens on contraceptives and treating STDs pay the bill and are far safer.
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Honestly, pro-lifers are like people who hear their CO detector go off and open the windows, but refuse to go check the furnance and/or have it repaired.
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As Father Anthony Zimmerman once wrote: Contraception is creeping death.
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https://catholicsagainstcontraception.com/fr_anthony_zimmerman_contraception_is_creeping_death.htm
Yup.
Sonia Albright, don’t blame God. Blame the “Catholics” who really don’t know their faith and what it teaches. Many have not bothered to inform themselves nor delve into the issues, and are content with misinformation from a sound bite on the evening news. And this often leads to an ill-formed conscience.
The Catholic vote in this election was split right down the middle, with roughly 51% in favor of Trump, and 49% in favor of Biden.
Bishops and pastors need to lead. The number one social justice issue is the pro-life issue.
For whatever it might be worth, the following is part of a longer posting now making the rounds…
“1st…the winner of the President is not official until the electoral college meets and casts their votes. Until that happens, it is not final….regardless of what the MEDIA tells you. The electoral college can’t decide anything because there are lawsuits and the court proceedings must take place first.
“2nd….Court proceedings are GUARANTEED to happen in Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania, and possibly Nevada and Arizona. But as of now they are GUARANTEED to happen in those 4 states. The SCOTUS won’t allow any litigation to proceed beyond inauguration because that would be a constitutional crisis. So they’ll make quick decisions.”
In short, let every vote count…but let every ballot counted be verified as a legitimate vote. For good form, at least, the bishops should have withheld their congratulations until all votes are certified, not only until the media (the Associated Press) made its projection.