Catholic NASA Scientist Delves into Investigation of Potential Life on Other Planets > Diocese of Norwich

“The gift of the mind” [is] a gift that “God has given us to … understand the glory of God’s creation.”

The article highlights a lecture by Jonathan Lunine, a Catholic NASA scientist, discussing the search for life on other planets. Lunine explores how his faith complements his scientific work, describing potential discoveries of microbial life on moons like Europa, Enceladus, and Titan as reflecting God's creation.

Theological questions, such as salvation for intelligent extraterrestrial beings, are raised but remain speculative. The event was part of a Catholic scientists' gathering in Washington, D.C., celebrating the integration of faith and science.

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Opinion

When I saw this article I cynically thought, Well, that's new... 

We know that Catholics have been laggards for centuries regarding certain cosmological and arguably social issues. That's why my own personal churchgoing is rarely 100% easy. I'm always maintaining a certain distance lest a given priest try to close in and clamp down on the rules and regulations, some of which just do not work for me. And more than that, on the deeper level of my own experience and quest, I need to choose my words carefully. I talk "Catholic Talk" when speaking with most Catholics because to me, they are so thoroughly conditioned into believing all the manmade structures that the religion advances.

The great irony is that this particular religion is also by far the most effective for me (and I have tried a lot). So sometimes I sit thinking, "It must be true... it wouldn't make me feel this way if it were not," and other times I think, "Gosh they are a conventional bunch who just can't think out of the box!"

I suspect God appreciates honesty so I'm not holding back here---not too much anyhow.

If I were a priest on the tax-free payroll I wouldn't be able to talk like this. And I suspect some of them keep quiet at least partially to keep a roof over their heads and their bread buttered. But that's just my own speculation.

What do you think?