Just a thought

[Doveaman]

I would say that's an unreasonable request.

Let's say we're both transported to another planet and we know that an abiogenesis event is about to occur. We both look through a microscope and see a bunch of chemicals undergoing reactions and replicating themselves (or whatever agreed upon definition we have of life appearing from non-life).

You could argue that God has a guiding hand in those reactions and directed them towards abiogenesis. Nobody watching the event would be able to tell the difference between a guided abiogenesis event and an unguided abiogenesis event, so how can one possibly show that it wasn't intelligent abiogenesis?

I suppose we could pack in the correct order all the chemicals necessary for abiogenesis to occur then wait a few billion years to see what happens. I personally don't think intelligent abiogenesis would need to take that long, so if it's intelligent then it should occur much sooner, perhaps in our lifetime. So get all those chemicals together and start packing. This could be the discovery of our lifetime.

 

[Nostromo]

If abiogenesis occurs, how could you tell if it was the result of intelligent design or not?

What distinguishes one from the other?

 

[Wiccan_Child]

So there can't be life unless it's like yours, huh? That is a planetarist slur. There's no place for earthism on an otherwise civil forum. You sir, are a rabid earthist!

I'm an Earthist inasmuch as you're a Christianist: you believe only Christians go to Heaven. Shame on you, sir! Shame!

Of planets not named Earth that we know of? Irrelevant, since we don't have a representative sample of planets in the universe (or even in our own galaxy). AFAIK (Wiccan can correct me ), current planet detection methods (barring microlensing) are much better at finding large planets orbiting very close to their stars than small planets somewhat further away. Until recently, the planets we even had a chance of knowing about were precisely the planets that aren't suitable for life as we know it.

Pretty much, ya. You may bear the WC seal of approval .

Haven't we found hundreds of planets just in our neighbourhood?

Almost 450, to be exact.

God doesn't want the universe teeming with life yet.

What's he waiting for? Armageddon?

 

[Wiccan_Child]

If abiogenesis occurs, how could you tell if it was the result of intelligent design or not?

What distinguishes one from the other?

Cars from bacteria. Bacteria could from without intelligence, cars could not.

Also, 'abiogenesis' refers generally to life from non-life (and specifically to a natural, chemical origin of life).

 

[Nostromo]

There I was thinking we were talking about Phil Collins' biography, silly me.

 

[Doveaman]

So.. would man caused global warming mean we're failing the exam to take care of the universe?
Serious question by the way i just want to entertain the idea for a bit since its pretty nice.
It seems to me that proving we can keep this planet healthy is a fairly good way to show our maturity. Granted we could do that by living in the darkages. But what is the point of a test if you dont have the means to fail it so in that sense acces to dangerous technology and unlimited population growth potential that could wreck the earth and it would be a sign of maturity and responsiblity if we can find a good way to keep the balance .
Thats putting aside weither we follow the correct religion. The primary goal might be to follow the correct path for the earth.

It's not simply about us taking care of the earth's environment, but about us learning to be responsible by making wise decisions in all that we do on little earth. How we treat little earth and its inhabitants will determine if we are wise or foolish, which in turn determines if we are responsible enough to inherit the universe. Only the wise will inherit the universe:

"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake (resurrection): some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." - Dan 12:2-3

 

[Naraoia]

At present we only see tiny planet earth subject to man, but the time is coming when the entire universe will be subject to man.

I think that even this tiny planet is very far from being "subject" to man.

But of course we must first prove ourselves worthy priest by how we conduct ourselves here on tiny planet earth: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..".

Do you actually agree with that statement?

Pretty much, ya. You may bear the WC seal of approval .

 

[Doveaman]

I think that even this tiny planet is very far from being "subject" to man.

You underestimate the power of man over the earth. The power of life or death on the face of the earth is in man's hand. Remember Noah's flood? (Perhaps you don't) But the was man's choice. God just obliged man by giving him all the water he needed to destroy the earth.

"This day I (God) call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death...Now choose life , so that you and your children may live." - Deut 30:19

In Noah's day man had decided to choose death instead, and man and most of his children died, along with many other life forms on earth.

Do you actually agree with that statement?

According to Jesus' intent, yes.

[FONT=Palatino Linotype, serif]Textbooks may portray science as a codification of facts, but it is really a disciplined way of asking about the unknown." - A.H. Knoll, Life on a Young Planet[/FONT]

God on "Young Planet" Earth is "unknown" to many scientists. Do you think some day the "unknown" God will be verified by the scientific discipline?

 

[Naraoia]

You underestimate the power of man over the earth. The power of life or death on the face of the earth is in man's hand. Remember Noah's flood? (Perhaps you don't) But the was man's choice. God just obliged man by giving him all the water he needed to destroy the earth.

Oh, I guess if you twist it that way, you are right. I suppose God personally sends every tsunami, earthquake and volcanic eruption because we are asking for it.

One has to wonder why none of these has devastated Vegas lately.

According to Jesus' intent, yes.

Wait, according to Jesus's intent, if you can trust a man to watch your sandwich while you go to the loo, you can also trust him with leading a country?

God on "Young Planet" Earth is "unknown" to many scientists. Do you think some day the "unknown" God will be verified by the scientific discipline?

I don't think it will be, but then I don't think he exists OR that science could verify him if he did

FYI, the subtitle of that "Young Planet" book is something like "The first 3.5 billion years of life on earth"

(It's a very good book, and beautifully written to boot. Worth reading just for that.)

 

[UncleHermit]

I keep telling you people God does not kill the way we kill. When we kill we take away what belongs to another, which is bad. When God kills He simply takes back what is His, which is perfectly fine: "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" - Ps 24:1

Right, wrong, sadistic, what's the difference? Apparently nothing, as long as it's one of those supernatural dealies that does it.

 

[UncleHermit]

Whoops, uh, this isn't GA, is it? Nevermind.

 

[sandwiches]

Oh, I guess if you twist it that way, you are right. I suppose God personally sends every tsunami, earthquake and volcanic eruption because we are asking for it.

One has to wonder why none of these has devastated Vegas lately.

Apparently because you can be a bad person all you want as long as you don't ask God to punish you for those things, you're safe.