Things are very quiet here on the ASA site. Meanwhile people continue to
hammer away at each other on the subject of ID over on the evolution
reflector... but I won't go there!
I am a little surprised that nobody has taken up the subject of the ethics
of space travel. But perhaps I shouldn't. Many Christian apologists were
sceptical of planetary systems other than ours (until recently), and many
are down right hostile to the possibility of life beyond earth (despite the
long theological pedigree of such ideas). So let me be more provocative.
Does the dominion over everything God has made given to humanity in Psalm 8
allow humans to mine the lunar poles or asteroids for volatiles in support
of human (as opposed to robotic) space exploration? Most schemes for human
space travel require extensive use of nuclear power. Even though these
bodies may not support life, geochemical contamination from such activities,
or other from sources such as escaping volatiles from rockets, can have a
significant impact on scientific results. This has already happened with
the moon. Is the potential contamination of other planets an issue for
concern as Christians?
What about space industrialisation? Can we mine the entire lunar surface
for helium 3 to supply fusion reactors, for example? These are all serious
suggestions from some writers. Are there theological reasons why sterile
extraterrestrial landscapes of great scenic beauty should be preserved?
What about terraforming Mars as a future abode for humanity? Can we
legitimately extend Genesis 1:28 to mean "Fill the universe and subdue it"?
Although other solar system bodies may not presently support life, many
terrestrial microorganisms can survive and even thrive in conditions
existing on the surface, atmospheres and subsurface of many of these
bodies. Microbial contamination is the almost inevitable result of crewed
missions. What theological implications may exist from this permanent
extension of the earth's biosphere? What are the theological and ethical
issues of terrestrial organisms spreading to bodies which may already have
indigenous life?
If we were to find life on Mars, should this preclude terraforming it? What
if the terraformed conditions were to actually favour indigenous lifeforms
that might otherwise die out?
Respectfully
Jon
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