The text that follows is an actual conversation that took place
in a private on-line chat and was the inspiration for this website.
Make sure you check out the History section as well. It contains a
brief overview of Religion vs Science throughout our time. Feel free
to comment as you see fit.
Me:
OK…Please realize that I don’t mean to offend by any of these
questions. I’m 100% serious……First off…Do you believe that
non-Christians are not going to heaven?
Pastor:
No they are not going if they do not have Jesus.
Me:
Fantastic…you are the person I want to talk to! OK…do you believe that
there are approximately 400 billion stars in the universe? I know
that’s a strange question, but bear with me.
Pastor:
I have no Idea. Untrained outside of Biblical Teachings.
Me:
Well, I did lots of research
yesterday, and that’s what scientists have come up with. Do you believe
there are billions and billions of stars out there?
Pastor:
I would assume so.
Me:
OK. And would you say that with those billions of stars, there would be
billions of planets orbiting them?
Pastor:
Not necessarily in my opinion – planets may not be with every star.
Me:
Well not every star. The point I’m trying to make is that there is an
extremely good chance that with all the billions of planets, there is
bound to be intelligent life. Do you agree?
Pastor:
I don’t believe in Aliens at all, I believe the sightings are of a
demonic nature.
Me:
I’m not talking about sightings. I’m talking about life on other planets –
not aliens coming to earth! Do you believe there is intelligent life on
other planets? Astronomers estimate there are over 10 billion planets that
could support life. Are you open to that possibility?
Pastor:
Not sure if I could accept that or not, I have heard both sides of the
debate, I have leaned towards the idea we are the only ones. Others will
say there are others and add Bible teachings based upon their theories
which concerns me.
Me:
OK..with the overwhelming numbers in favor of life on another planet other
than Earth, and since the Bible happened here on Earth, how does the Bible
affect those not on Earth, especially since they have no knowledge of the
Earth Bible? Does the Bible only pertain to Earthlings?
Pastor:
If there was others, they also suffer under sin – the WHOLE universe
the Bible says
Me:
But the Bible happened here on Earth! How are they to know? Wouldn’t
they have their own religion? If any religion at all?
Pastor:
No, Jesus is the only way for everyone
Me:
Do you know what geocentric means?
Pastor:
I don’t even know the word.
Me:
It translates to “earth being the center”. Like before Copernicus
proved that we weren’t the center of the universe with all heavenly bodies
revolving around us, people had a “geocentric” view of the
universe. Does that make sense?
Pastor:
OK, I remember hearing that along with the world is flat.
Me:
Exactly. But Copernicus proved that we weren’t the center of the universe.
Now, if you say that our Earth God reigns supreme over the universe, don’t
you think that’s being extremely geocentric with respect to religion?
Pastor:
No, because the Bible says there is only one God, there are no others at
all, he is the first and the last, he always was and always will be. I
take what the Scriptures say an form my opinions around God’s word. He is
the only God of creation, and the only God to be worshiped.
Me:
So if there is intelligent life on other planets, they are worshipping OUR
God? According to OUR Bible that happened here on Earth? A planet they
know nothing about? Please know I’m not trying to offend.
Pastor:
I know – but God’s word is the final authority, we must worship Jesus
Christ according to God’s word.
Me:
That doesn’t answer my question. If there is intelligent extraterrestrial
life, whom do you think they worship?
Pastor:
They would have to worship Jesus Christ.
Me:
According to our Bible?
Pastor:
Yes, which I believe is the only authority for all.
Me:
What if the aliens have there own religion, and there’s is correct?
Pastor:
As a Christian and Pastor for the Lord Jesus Christ I know we have the
only truth – there are no other.
Me:
How do you know?
Pastor:
By God’s word and the inward conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Me:
So if a flying saucer happened to land here tomorrow, and we killed all on
board, would they go to heaven?
Pastor:
If they knew Jesus only – but I don’t think so – in my opinion they are
demons.
Me:
What if I put you in a flying saucer, and sent you to another planet? How
do you think they’d react to the fact that you think they are demons? Just
because you live outside this planet doesn’t make you a demon. That’s
geocentric thinking. There are probably civilizations out there far more
advanced than our own, with much greater understandings of the universe
and how it works. Are we to assume that’s not true? That our religion is
supreme? Even though we have never even left the proximity of this planet?
Pastor:
I am only standing on God’s word for the authority I am speaking by – I do
not believe in aliens or other forms of life in outer space. I believe all
the sightings are of demonic activity, part of the prophecy being
fulfilled with the signs of the end – “And there will be signs in the
heavens.” I believe it is not of God, but of Satan and his hosts. But
that is one preachers opinion. Yes – I stand on the Bible.
Me:
My whole point is that throughout the ages, people have always believed
that the Earth is the center of everything because that’s ALL we know. We
thought that the universe revolved around us. We thought the stars WERE
actually heaven. We have been able to overcome our narrow-minded
geographical thinking, but we have not progressed any further than that.
We are still geocentric in a vast universe we know nothing about. The
Bible limits our thinking of such things. I feel we should have a
more universal view of things, including religion.
Pastor:
But if one does not hold to the Bible as truth, Jesus as the only way –
that person can not be a Christian, because to be a Christian you must
follow the teachings of the Bible no matter what. The Bible says plainly
Jesus is the only way – there is only one God to be worship, and only one
authority to stand on, the Bible. To deny any of these is forfeiting
eternal life for damnation. The only way to heaven is to accept Jesus and
his teachings.
Me:
Yes. I realize that. But that’s just here on Earth. Our religion cannot
speak for the entire universe. What if a different planet with a different
religion had the same view, and they felt as strongly about it as we feel
about our own? Who is right? Could God have possibly made a different
version of events on another planet that equal those of our Bible?
Pastor:
I honestly believe our Bible is for the whole universe.
Me:
Even though they’ve never been here and live light years away? Did God
deliver unto them our Bible?
Pastor:
I don’t know, I know the Bible is the only authority, there is none other
then the Bible.
Me:
Tell that to as higher form of life. For all we know (and that’s not a
lot) we could be doomed to some alien’s hell for not practicing their
religion! There’s a thought!
Pastor:
No, I don’t even think that is worth thinking about, God laid out his plan
clearly in the Bible – from start to finish.
Me:
“It’s not worth thinking about” is a sad comment. We progress
only when we think. We’ve had a history of geocentric thinking throughout
history, and it still continues in aspects of religion. Thanks for
answering my questions. You’ll be pleased to know that most people I’ve
talked with agree with you, but unfortunately I haven’t gotten any answers
other than “The Bible is the final word”. It seems to me that
you can use the Bible as a tool to block thought. And that’s not
productive.
Pastor:
No, its used for the means of salvation first, then conduct of moral
living – anything outside the that goes against it is not of God but of
the enemy. All and complete truth is found in the Scriptures.
Me:
Thanks so much for your opinion. I really need various points of view
before I create my site. I’ll send you the URL when it’s complete. Thanks
again for your time!
Pastor:
OK, I will look at it.
Me:
Great!
Pastor:
Have a great night.
Me:
You too, bye!
Pastor:
Bye!