20060126
    A group of astronomers recently released in the journal Nature the data that shows the existence of a ‘rocky planet 5.5 times the mass of the Earth’ orbiting a star some 20,000 light years away. This discovery joins the more than 160 other exoplanets discovered by astronomers in recent years.
    For me, the discovery of exoplanets creates that age old desire to know what’s out there. Such discoveries remind us that we live in a great, mysterious universes full of puzzles we don’t know about and discoveries yet to be made. Such curiosity should the driving force to push for the exploration of space.
DLH
I’m curious as to your response to those who think that finding life on another planet would disprove God. Of course, I don’t think it disproves Him one bit, in fact, I think it further disproves the idea of Big Bang and evolution (this is all a coincidence or cosmic mistake…that happened more than once?!), nd in that way, I kind of hope they find something/someone.
Anyway, how would you respond to the argument?
I would reply that the presence of a planet around another star is just another part of the creation God gave us. In fact, if there were little green men on that planet dancing around and waving, I would respond the same.
I do not claim, as some Christians do, that the Bible puts limits on what God created. Certainly, the Bible does not tell us that God created other planets or even other people. It also does not specifically tell us he created dogs or Mars, yet most Christians accept he did thos things.
As for the evolutionist crowd, the fact that another planet exists proves nothing except that another planet exists. We know nothing else about it, how it formed, or about the star it orbits. Before the existance of such a planet can prove anything, it first has to prove something.
DLH
Excellent reply, thanks for taking the time. That was exactly what I was thinking, but you phrased it a lot better.
BTW, are you from Ohio? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I just think I used to know you from high school.
In fact, I am from Ohio. The Dayton, Ohio area, actually.
DLH