Moral Responsibilities of Extraterrestrials?

[Kryptid]

This topic is purely hypothetical, so please don't start off by saying "aliens don't exist" or anything to that effect. This topic DOES NOT deal with UFO sightings or alien abductions, so let us not concern ourselves with those kinds of things. This topic is FILLED with hypothetical scenarios, so don't take it too seriously.

Let us take a consideration. Let us assume, that since the Universe is so extremely large, God has decided to create life not just on planet Earth, but also on other planets as well. Let us also assume that some of these life forms are as intelligent as, or even more intelligent than, us humans. Assuming (purely hypothetically) that such a scenario is true, I ask your input on several questions:

1) Does human-like or superhuman intelligence automatically denote an ability to distinguish between right and wrong? Or could superintelligent aliens, despite being so smart, not be able to comprehend true morally?

2) Would God give such intelligent aliens an immortal soul and moral responsibilities? Or would they be nothing more than something like 'smart animals' which simply cease to exist when they die?

3) If such aliens did have an immortal soul and moral responsibilities, would Jesus need to come in their form and die for their sins too? Or would his death on the cross on Earth be sufficient for all intelligent life in the Universe? Would aliens go to the same Heaven as humans, or a different Heaven?

Even though the Bible doesn't tell us that there is life on other planets, that doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't exist. Maybe we simply weren't meant to know about each other. It is possible, that intelligent aliens are so far removed from us that we will never have an opportunity to hear radio signals from them before the end of this current era. In such a case, we would isolated from them and then it really wouldn't matter much whether God told us about them or not. After all, if obedient humans can make God happy, then couldn't he also create aliens that could be just as obedient as humans?

[nChrist]

True or false, the hypotheticals have had zero impact on us, so the answers are almost as important as knowing how many hypotheticals there are in the universe.   

[Soldier4Christ]

True or false, the hypotheticals have had zero impact on us, so the answers are almost as important as knowing how many hypotheticals there are in the universe.   

[Shammu]

True or false, the hypotheticals have had zero impact on us, so the answers are almost as important as knowing how many hypotheticals there are in the universe.   

AMEN brother.................

[Kryptid]

Those comments aren't exactly helpful.

If you don't want to put constructive input into this, I'd prefer that you didn't reply at all. I want some educated speculation here.

(PS, my apologies for placing this thread in the wrong forum. I was unsure of exactly where to put it).

[nChrist]

Those comments aren't exactly helpful.

If you don't want to put constructive input into this, I'd prefer that you didn't reply at all. I want some educated speculation here.

(PS, my apologies for placing this thread in the wrong forum. I was unsure of exactly where to put it).

Hello Kryptid,

If you are one of those folks who is used to always getting what you prefer, you might not like the Internet. This is a forum, and anyone who wishes can reply in whatever manner they wish as long as the forum rules are obeyed. I have a good idea: present your own educated speculation to your hypothetical, and other users can comment on your speculation if they wish.

[Beloved]

This topic is purely hypothetical, so please don't start off by saying "aliens don't exist" or anything to that effect. This topic DOES NOT deal with UFO sightings or alien abductions, so let us not concern ourselves with those kinds of things. This topic is FILLED with hypothetical scenarios, so don't take it too seriously.

Let us take a consideration. Let us assume, that since the Universe is so extremely large, God has decided to create life not just on planet Earth, but also on other planets as well. Let us also assume that some of these life forms are as intelligent as, or even more intelligent than, us humans. Assuming (purely hypothetically) that such a scenario is true, I ask your input on several questions:

1) Does human-like or superhuman intelligence automatically denote an ability to distinguish between right and wrong? Or could superintelligent aliens, despite being so smart, not be able to comprehend true morally?

2) Would God give such intelligent aliens an immortal soul and moral responsibilities? Or would they be nothing more than something like 'smart animals' which simply cease to exist when they die?

3) If such aliens did have an immortal soul and moral responsibilities, would Jesus need to come in their form and die for their sins too? Or would his death on the cross on Earth be sufficient for all intelligent life in the Universe? Would aliens go to the same Heaven as humans, or a different Heaven?

Even though the Bible doesn't tell us that there is life on other planets, that doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't exist. Maybe we simply weren't meant to know about each other. It is possible, that intelligent aliens are so far removed from us that we will never have an opportunity to hear radio signals from them before the end of this current era. In such a case, we would isolated from them and then it really wouldn't matter much whether God told us about them or not. After all, if obedient humans can make God happy, then couldn't he also create aliens that could be just as obedient as humans?

I have to agree with the others that this is so hypothetical and has no impact on us - as I post on other forums - I remembered a completely different topic which I had inquired about but I believe the response I received from another poster pretty much appllies here as well.

Jhn 21:17 He *said to him the third time, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.Jhn 21:18 "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to {go.}"Jhn 21:19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

Jhn 21:20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following {them;} the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"Jhn 21:21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"Jhn 21:22 Jesus *said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come,what is that to you? You follow Me!

[Kryptid]

If you are one of those folks who is used to always getting what you prefer, you might not like the Internet.

I've been on the Internet for many years of my life, and I'm quite aware of what it is like. I'm also aware that the general attitudes of people on different forums are different. Since this is a Christian forum, I would naturally expect many of the members to have a helpful attitude towards another fellow member. It's not like you would expect me to say "I prefer that my enquiry be ignored because it is hypothetical" instead of saying "I prefer that my inquiry be addressed because I'm interested in its implications", do you? 

This is a forum, and anyone who wishes can reply in whatever manner they wish as long as the forum rules are obeyed.

Exactly, which is why I said I "prefer" that people make on-topic comments instead of saying that I "demand" that they do so.

I have a good idea: present your own educated speculation to your hypothetical, and other users can comment on your speculation if they wish.

Yes, I will do this:

If aliens have the same ability to understand and carry out moral acts as humans, I would expect God to hold them responsible and give them a means to attain salvation. What means of salvation would He offer them? Would Jesus' death on the cross on Earth be enough? This is something I'm stuck on.

Of course, one of the issues here is "does the intelligence and technological capability of an advanced species automatically indicate that this same species is capable of perfectly understanding morality as humans understand it?" I do not think so. A technological species must be capable of reason and must have some way to maintain cooperation amongst other members of the species to attain the goal, but that doesn't mean that they would understand morality. Take ants, for example. Despite their ability to build complex nests, maintain order, coordinate attacks, and store food, they can't understand right and wrong. An advanced alien species might be like them, but with a more complex brain that is capable of greater adaptive behavior strategies.

Just my views.

[Phoenix]

Well, actually, there is intelligent life beyond our own universe.  The Bible calls these aliens, "angels".  In that context, I think most (if not all) of your questions are answered.  Satan is a fallen angel.  Hope that jump-starts your thoughts.

I don't think there is life on other planets.  The conditions needed for life are too numerous. It's a miracle we have life here on earth.  If aliens land on earth, I just hope they taste as good as our other earth animals. 

[Rhys]

Well, actually, there is intelligent life beyond our own universe.  The Bible calls these aliens, "angels".  In that context, I think most (if not all) of your questions are answered.  Satan is a fallen angel.  Hope that jump-starts your thoughts.

I don't think there is life on other planets.  The conditions needed for life are too numerous. It's a miracle we have life here on earth.  If aliens land on earth, I just hope they taste as good as our other earth animals. 

You are right, the universe is filled with spiritual beings. Also the whole creation was affected by Adam's fall, and will be affected by man's redemption.

There may quite possibly be physical life elsewhere in the universe, but probably not life as we know it.(We can't even really define what life is!) While the conditions needed for life as we know it are fairly limited, all that is really needed for life to exist is an energy source. In any case, we will probably never know in this age as the distances are so vast. Possibly in eternity.

[Brother Jerry]

Kryptid

Now to add to your hypotheticals and to answer some.

The biggest issue would have been their creation.  Was this other race created to be companions of God?  It matters not their intelligence but their reason for being.  Do they have souls that live for eternity?

Let us assume that the answers to those two are yes, they were created with the same intent as we were and given the same free will ability as we have.

Now the next step.  If God created them in the same manner as man then were they in their own garden or the same garden as Adam?  Let us assume a different one for simplicity.  Now the next question would be did they, would they, will they eat of the forbidden fruit as man did?  This also assumes that God provided the same scenario at creation and we will assume that He did.  So now if this other race did not eat of the fruit then they are sitting in the garden now with God and have enjoyed a wonderous existance ever since.  If they did eat of the fruit then they are probably in the same boat as we are now.  They could be slower in getting there and maybe they are still new in comparison and that God has not had to flood the world yet.  Or that they behave enough and for longer periods of time that God has not sent a savior yet.  But rest assured there will end up having to be a savior.  There could even be a race out there that is going through a 1000 year tribulation as we speak.  I think that if there were this scenario then their Bible would be different as far as people and relative timelines for events.  But the message would be the same, we cannot do it ourselves and have to have God to save us.

[airIam2worship]

True or false, the hypotheticals have had zero impact on us, so the answers are almost as important as knowing how many hypotheticals there are in the universe.   

Life on earth is complex enough without me trying to figure out some hypothetical situations that I don't have any way of proving so. ....... that's my answer.

Now how about this.... I was in the middle of praise the yesterday and the thought came to me "Even the highest praise that we humans can give to God are so insignificant that I just have to wonder at how loving our Heavenly Father is that He accepts our praises and inhabits our praises, even though they cannot be compared to His Supremacy. No matter how much I praise Him, no matter how much I love Him, I can never even come close to the praises He deserves or out do His love."

[vampares]

1) Does human-like or superhuman intelligence automatically denote an ability to distinguish between right and wrong? Or could superintelligent aliens, despite being so smart, not be able to comprehend true morally?

Not all humans, much less aliens, have the intellegence to distinguish between right and wrong.  Never the less smart people can be evil and stupid people are often harmless.

2) Would God give such intelligent aliens an immortal soul and moral responsibilities? Or would they be nothing more than something like 'smart animals' which simply cease to exist when they die?

The word of God is preached to all living things.

3) If such aliens did have an immortal soul and moral responsibilities, would Jesus need to come in their form and die for their sins too? Or would his death on the cross on Earth be sufficient for all intelligent life in the Universe? Would aliens go to the same Heaven as humans, or a different Heaven?

If they are not human they are not in original sin.  If they are, Jesus may suffice, we would need the Word of God through the Counselor and some actual aliens to know the answer to this.

[Lou]

I have a hypothetical question myself. 

If you're flying in your canoe, and your left front tire goes flat, how many pancakes does it take to shingle a dog house?  Give up?  None!  Because there are no bones in ice cream!   

By the way, would the canoe go to canoe heaven or people heaven?

[Soldier4Christ]

 

That's the closest I'm going to that one, just with