Isn’t it exciting to hear there may be earth-like planets, namely those that orbit suns similar to our own, perhaps even in abundance ‘out there’ in the universe?! Yes, but let’s take a step back and analyze ‘why’ its exciting for a moment.
Could it be that our human emotions are based on hope? What I mean is this; based on human history, (I refer to written history and not speculative pre-history), there have been many technological accomplishments, however, sociologically not so much, or to put it simply, human relations have, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.
Arguably, history has recorded that modern man is pretty much a failure in human relations. For instance when has there ever been an extended period in at least 2000 years that hasn’t included wars, genocides, oppression, atrocities, ad infinitum!
IMHO failures throughout history have engendered a present day ‘faint hope’ that somewhere, somehow, mankind will find relief, or to put it another way, ‘salvation’, from his earthly experience. (I would also submit this is the very basis of the ‘theory’ of evolution.) In other words an attempt to absolve humanity from our blood stained past, and even more so, its present!
Its no secret that the dramatic increase in world population has brought about the prospect of mass-extinction, despite enormous potential for increase… why? In a nutshell; the answer is clearly human mismanagement, be it environmentally, politically, or economically!
But I digress; returning to the aforementioned possible planetary discoveries; what is it that really excites us about them? Isn’t it all about finding relief from our human failures? The vain hope that if there is life on other planets it may somehow point the way to discover or make human life somehow successful, an existence that has eluded us on earth!?
For example, remember the classic Sci-Fi movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”? An alien galactic envoy arrives to warn scientist and leaders that independent robots were authorized to enforce galactic peace. They were said to be programmed to obliterate any planet who threatened a galactic peace protocol by the misuse of atomic power! (A very human approach no doubt!)
In conclusion, I submit that mankind as a whole is missing the ‘woods for the trees’. What I mean by that is the greatest human to ever live provided us with the way out of our failed human condition, the only sure way to achieve what many are now seeking in the stars.
He told us what to seek, how and where to find it, and the result would be nothing less than everlasting life on a paradise earth! Therefore, shouldn’t that be our primary focus? Because whether we seek it or not, earth is scheduled for exactly that ideal future by its eternal Creator! Indeed, have faith: it really will happen, with, or without, our personal benefit, right here on planet earth!
Einstein is famously quoted as saying ‘imagination is greater than intelligence!’ So what really is ‘imagination’ we may ask? A good definition is: ‘the faculty of forming new ideas, images or concepts not present to the senses’. Space-time was ‘imagined’ by Einstein in ways most of us may not. However should the concept of imagination be considered?
For example, how difficult is it to imagine life on earth is the creation of a vastly superior, although unseen, entity?
(Romans 1:20) puts it this way: “…his invisible qualities are clearly seen’ from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”
The context shows that those unable or unwilling to recognize by simple observation a Creator of all things are truly ‘inexcusable’, in other words lacking imagination!
Science is defined as ‘truth’, so what does factual science teach us? Indeed real science confirms that all life on earth is unique. That’s not speculation, or theory!
Clearly anyone failing to acknowledge all life on earth, and the earth itself, as a very special creation, must be described as ‘inexcusable’. Especially so as more and more universal discoveries of stars and galaxies via new space telescopes are now being made every day!
However there are, sad to say, those who will stubbornly deny that human, plant, and animal observation is, of itself, sufficient evidence of creation In reality imagination is lacking in such ones. Ironically those self same persons will describe themselves as informed or enlightened, they are failing to acknowledge the obvious wisdom, and creative power in plain view.
Make no mistake, God himself describes such ones as ‘inexcusable’, because of willful blindness to acknowledge observable truth. Indeed all life has a message for us, from flora and fauna, birds to whales, ants to elephants, and earth’s amazing environmental cycles, to name just a few things;; all teach us about the love and wisdom of a far, far, superior intelligence and unfathomable power of our creator; if we simply exercise humble imagination!
This is about life, not war, not disease, just plain life, not only human life but observed nature.
It’s important to acknowledge the adaptability of literally ‘all’ life on earth. Yes I do mean adaptability, not evolution, which is a totally ‘unnatural’ concept.
Adaptability is, rather, a well proven and observable characteristic of perhaps all living things, including plants and animals. Yes, ability to adapt to changing, even very challenging environmental conditions, good or bad, is not exclusive to humans.
The simple basic truth is; our earth is the only place in the physical universe known to support life, period. What adaptability implies is that life on earth is well designed, exclusively designed for earth’s environs! Nowhere else in the cosmos, has it been shown that humans, animals, or any life on earth could adapt and survive in very difficult conditions, as often happens on our planet!
That said, exceptional ability to adapt to change has nearly reached a tipping point owing to long-term damage done to earth’s environment. In other words there are now foreseeable ‘red lines’ as to how much further life on earth can adapt to centuries of negative impacts on the environment! Concerns about potential ‘extinction events’ are already becoming a mute point!
Living on the moon or mars is now well known to be a completely foreign concept, very far from practical reality for any of earth’s (adaptable) life forms. Knowledge gained about those environments is more and more evidence that all life as we know it is designed exclusively for earth alone! The well known expression ‘mother earth’ is therefore not without substance.
Isn’t it time to humbly acknowledge this basic truth?
Such honest acknowledgment is an essential ‘beginning’ to appreciate an all wise and loving Creator who has generously granted all life on earth even with great ability to live and adapt to change… within limits!
NASA’s concern for human life by an asteroid striking earth, simply pales in comparison to the damage being caused by weather events happening today.
Recent knowledge of the universe and all that is in it from space telescopes, probes, et al, is no doubt of great interest. However ever increasing destructive environmental issues are a far more pertinent existing existential threat for life on earth to say the very least!
Space exploration and concern for the very remote possibility of an asteroid strike is not going to save the earth from mankind’s nearly suicidal course. Thoughtful people agree. For example;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.” (UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on a new report about the health of the planet, called “Making Peace With Nature,”
Therefore I make this suggestion; ‘do not be distracted by rockets and space probes’, rather be impressed by our amazing planet and humbly recognize the need to acknowledge its Creator. He alone can restore and reverse the damage to earth done by mankind, not to mention any remote asteroid threats, and that is precisely what he has stated he will do!
And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:5)
Please visit JW.org for more encouraging information, and my blog posting here:
It has to be admitted that many beneficial labor-saving devices are now taken for granted, from refrigerators to washing machines and the like., however there are at least an equal number of examples of the misuse of technology such as the development of fearsome weapons of war; machine guns, bombs, chemical and biological weapons; atomic weapons; rockets, cruise missiles, drones, and laser space-weapons to name a few! And these developments are ever increasing as nations strive for domination over one another at the expense of world peace and security for their populace.
Arguably, development of weapons has been and continues to be the priority of technological development, beginning in the 18th Century and continuing down to this day! Our planet functions on a series of well-balanced systems, systems that have clearly been damaged by technology!
Does that not indicate the destruction of human lives has been a greater focus than any ‘benefits’ of technology? Tens of millions of people have been the victims of such developments, a great many of them, perhaps a majority, have been innocent non-combatants.
Added to that sad fact, neither has any economic prosperity from technology made people lastingly happier, nor provided safety and peace of mind! Therefore surely the question should be asked; ‘do the benefits of scientific technology developments outweigh it’s detriments to society?’
Such thoughts are being expressed more and more by thoughtful people, such as renowned scientist, environmentalist René Dubos. In fact its fair to say that much of the distressing aspects of the modern world originate with the Industrial Revolution. The reality is that increased control over nature is actually a ‘zero sum game’.
Another knowledgeable authority, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.”
Enzo Maiorca (famous ocean diver) said after rescuing a pregnant dolphin caught in a fish net and gratefully touched by its mate well said: “Until man learns to respect and communicate with the animal world, he will never be able to know his true role on this Earth.”
In the view of Science professor Mary Eleanor Clark, “In our rush to embrace technology we have adopted a very temporal system: A hedonistic society that ignores the future.” “In America and other advanced cultures, belief in technology has become a religious faith.”
To that point, Martin Luther King said: “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
Computer scientist Jacques Vallee feels that ‘high technology has acquired a momentum of its own, and it is now controlling society as much as society is controlling high technology.’How scary is that!
Like the apprentice’s broomstick in the fairy tale, ‘the Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, technology is a powerful tool that could serve the greater good of mankind. But it has not been properly controlled, and grossly misused, causing disastrous consequences, we are seeing more every day.
If you are seeking a better world, one with people of ‘good will’, living in peace, with plenty for all. I invite you to further visit my blog here…
After watching a repeat W5 TV show about SETA (searching for extraterrestrial life etc) I have to make a comment;
It seems to me that ‘extraterrestrial life’ is already here but not recognized as such!
No, I’m not referring to unique aquatic creatures, such as the amazing octopus as was suggested in that program, nor any other mysterious deep sea creature.
So what do I believe may be the unrecognized alien creature on earth;
wait for it…..
Indeed its us ‘humans’!
Ridiculous you say.? Well let’s objectively consider the evidence;
First; given a very long history of environmental damage to the earth humans may well be described as the ‘least compatible creature’ on earth.
Next; consider how very few of mankind actually commit to the support of all the other life-forms on earth. To the contrary, human record proves humans actually; exploit; abuse; and outright destroy; everything from flora to fauna, to animals and vegetables. A far cry from benefiting most other life forms on earth.
Finally; many humans are very discontent with their lives on earth and instead are seeking to occupy other places, such as on the planet Mars, or even much further away from earth if the opportunity presented itself.
So for those (alienated humans) so inclined, I must say; maybe that’s where you actually belong…!?
Heard a good talk today on this subject. It compared resume’s of Rulers.
First, the bad news; human governments and rulers have demonstrated impotence in solving global issues, including climate change, economic equality, health and welfare in general.
In fact there is little doubt the world’s population in general is more and more discontent with appointed or elected rulers as can be seen on your nightly news cast. Try as they may, they simply do not have the answers for world problems.
The good news is this; there was a man on earth in the first century AD who demonstrated he ‘did’ have the resume’ to resolve and accomplish the best aspirations of mankind, namely, to bring peace, security, and economic equality to all who followed him. Not only that, but he also demonstrated his willingness and capability to bring an end to human imperfection and death!
What a great resume’ he has shown us by his stellar example of humility and Godly power! Indeed there is no competitor that could possibly rival this heaven-sent person, Christ Jesus.
