I will answer now.Chris Knight wrote:Mikado,
You are right, and as I said, many injustices have ocurred under the flag of Christianity. However, Christianity is but one faith, and no one has faith in nothing. We all believe in something. I've noticed a few calls for opinions from other religions or beliefs here on the spirituality of time travel, etc., but I haven't seen one solid answer yet.
I was speaking in general terms in regards to "sticking your neck out". I believe I have been sticking my neck out in terms of this forum for a while now. I just personally would not call it that.Chris Knight wrote: You are also correct that it's difficult to stick out your neck for your beliefs when it comes down to the wire. I'm just one person, and whether as a scientist, I, or others like me, might be a front man is a matter of conjecture. Just as important are the many other people in the world whose opinions and beliefs will affect how they react to such an encounter.
The first item that needs to be addressed is the word "belief". I have a path that I follow. It is not a belief, it based upon something entirely different but I will admit that in the beginning it does start as faith (search would be a better word) but changes into something different. The fact that the being does not appear human is moot. As I stated earlier, I talked with dogs and horses, you just have to learn with an open mind. Meeting any being not of this world would just be like meeting someone on the street to me or even meeting Andrew Bolland eyeball to eyeball.Chris Knight wrote: 1) "Lets just say that another intelligence presented itself to you. How would you regard it, falling back on your beliefs? If it does not appear to you as being "human," how would that affect your viewpoint? .
Chris Knight wrote: 2) How quickly would others with similar beliefs regard these outsiders as "evil" or "good," or "beneficial" or "detrimental?".
This is a loaded question. No matter how it is answered there will be feedback for there are several ways to answer. The first way that I would answer this question is that I cannot speak for others. Secondly, I may presuppose an answer based upon similar circumstances of historical data. Thirdly, there is that word belief, I can speak for others that follow a similar path to mine and I would guarantee their reactions would be on the same order as mine.
Those responsibilities would be the same as if I met you eyeball to eyeball. I would have preferred the word "being" instead of creature but then we are creatures too.Chris Knight wrote: 3) And what would your responsibilities be in this new relationship to this new "creature" ?.
First of all, the question presupposes ascribing to certain....beliefs. I will tell you this, I am no one to pass judgement on any being, irregardless of appearance, I may end up not liking their personality but that happens whenever you meet someone new. On another note, by what barometer is the being measured "beneath us" or "sub-human". I must admit that I have difficulty with that concept.Chris Knight wrote: 4) Some branches of science teach that mankind has fought tooth and nail through the evolutionary process to reach the top of the evolutionary tree, and that everything else is below him. If this "creature" happened to appear to be "beneath us" on the evolutionary tree, would we then automatically be its master? Would it be "sub-human?".
I will answer this by saying that I would greet with an open hand. From that point on, it is their move. If need be, I would protect my world, your world.Chris Knight wrote: 5) If this is the same process that works throughout the universe, does this mean that we should automatically fight this new threat to our evolutionary station, since they would have gone through the same fight to get where they are ? Or should you assume they have transcended that process?.
I will answer with a cut and paste as I have seen you do in the past.Chris Knight wrote: I do have to disagree with your statement "There is no place for religion in science but there is for science in religion." Religion is any faith-based set of beliefs - even atheism is faith-based. Where your faith lies determines your interpretation of the universe and reality. In that context, I would say that science and religion are inseperable.
faith
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief. See Synonyms at trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.
I will simply state that science is not faith.
I said that I would answer your questions and I have. I do it with respect, for all questions should be answered, and honestly. I have kept them brief.
I will make a statement, reading this particular thread I almost am inclined to say that I would prefer an agnostic make any first contact for they will not be tainted with notions of God, religion etc. Any Christian, Muslim, Hebrew, etc will all have an agenda to prove whose "faith" is the correct one. That would be most embarrassing.
Mikado