Will colonizing other planets become a big issue with the Abrahimic faiths?

This has been an issue I have been contemplating for a while now. In the future, when the technology and resources become available to colonize other planets, will the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths consider it a sin to leave the planet and advocate against it?

The problem that would arise with colonizing other planets is that it would prove all three faiths wrong. These faiths preach an "Armageddon" type scenario on Earth, with Islam and Christianity believing that Jesus will return. But what if there is no one left on Earth, or what if there is a large population of humans on other planets, how will these faiths handle the fact that only the inhabitants of Earth will face destruction?

Could religious groups try and supress such technology from existing in the future?

Will these faiths require that all their members remain on Earth to fulfill their prophecies?

[edit on 20-3-2007 by DJMessiah]

Not a problem that we will have to worry about. The prophecy clock is ticking and the Antichrist is alive on the earth. Though Islam is considered an Abrahamic faith, they serve a different god, so a different question needs to be asked.

Sun Matrix, don't turn this into a topic about who worships what God. I'm a Muslim and I am well aware of who I worship.

I also don't want to turn this into debate about if Judgment day is near.

My question is will this be an issue with these faiths when it occurs?

For the Jews, no, I don't think so. I've talked with Orthodox Jews about this very issue, and there is nothing that states it cannot happen.

According to some Christian theology today, though, it could be an issue. This is primarily based on the literal understanding of Revelations. It really wouldn't make sense to have all that take place literally here on Earth while the majority of humanity looks from the stars and thinks, "wow, bummer to live on Earth...Aaaaanyway...". This is why many literal interpreters of Revelation believe the end is so near -- because interplanetary colonization is so near.

However, there is another understanding of Revelations that puts its fulfillment in Nero's time which, if we do begin to have self sustaining colonies on other planets, may be more widely accepted than it is today.

Interesting, jj. I haven't thought about it like that.

This could very well be open to the interpretation that if most or all of mankind moves to another planet, that the destruction is to occur on the new planet, rather than Earth.

Are there any texts that specifically mentions "Earth" as the chosen planet, by chance?

Not specifically by name, no, but geographic landmarks are referred to, as is the location of the final battle. So it's implied, not explicit. The location of the final battle is actually located in Jeremiah (I believe -- I'm not at home so don't have a lot of resources to confirm this), but is in the prophetic, so can be interpreted as having already happened or, as so many messianic prophesies were, fulfilled in part in the short term with the complete fulfillment taking place in the end.

Is Earth the chosen planet? Actually I think that the Bible indicates that we'll all eventually be on another planet.

Isaiah 65:17: Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 66:22: As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me.

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner:

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Revelation 21:1: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

While it does seem that the final bit of doom and destruction is centered around Jerusalem on this planet, Bible prophecy indicates that we will all eventually live on another planet. I find it most interesting in John's version (Rev 21:1) that there isn't an ocean.

One other fascinating note can be found if you read through the book of Revelation. The city that God brings down from heaven for people to live in is 400 miles wide and 400 miles high. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Space Station isn't even 200 miles up. The Earth would look really odd with such a large object placed on it. But, if the planet were much bigger it might not be such a big deal. As far as increased gravity from being on a larger planet, I suppose that will all be worked out with improvements to our current body.

I am a Christian and fairly knowledgeable of the Bible except, perhaps, Revelations.

If we don't find a way to limit the trashing of our planet, I believe we will either have find a way to leave or be buried in the garbage.

Doesn't Revelations take place in heaven? How are we sure that Revelations is talking about the last days of earth?

Perhaps someone will tell if I have made the incorrect assumptions.

Very nice find, dbates! That's exactly what I was looking for!

The city would have to be in a different planet. The Karman line is at about 62 miles above Earth's surface, meaning that anything beyond that point is considered as being in outer space.

[edit on 20-3-2007 by DJMessiah]

I stand corrected:

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long." (Rev.21:15-17)

From what I gather one stadia is about 600 feet which puts the dimensions of the city up near 1,400 miles wide and high. Holy Cow! Well, that blows the theory on there only being 144,000 in Heaven. You'd never meet anyone in a city that big if that's all the number that lived in it.

[edit on 20-3-2007 by dbates]

Originally posted by DJMessiah
My question is will this be an issue with these faiths when it occurs?

For the Christians I don't believe planet colonization would be a problem. I would be surprised if it would happen as the prophecy time clock is ticking.

I can't speak for the Muslims but my feeling is that it would not be problem for them either. Their only goal is to destroy Israel. Now if Jews and Christians went to another planet then it could become a concern.

For the Jew I don't think it would matter unless there was another dispersia.

Well, I honestly do not know how Islam and Judaism will respond to such a scenario. However, the book of Revelation clearly states:

Revelation 21:1

Revelation
Chapter 21
1
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2

What planet has no sea? Mars. I don't think that when the time comes that it's going to be much of an issue at all. If asked in today's environment, yeah, it would probably be an issue.

i don't think so...

science is more important than any religion, in my opinion as of now (although, for many, religion is the whole purpose of life and all that)...

I don't think they will have much choice.. it will be ride or die.. it doesnt matter what faith you believe, we will all have the same destiny.

The question you are asking is how they respond.. i expect there will be those who have enough faith they will choose to stay until the end, there will be those of 'some' faith who may decide to either fully believe or not risk it and leave, then there will be us atheists who have looked at the possibility of this happening and jump on the Airbus B360 spaceliner uber fast.

By the time that true large scale colonization of space and the planets
becomes possible, I think that more liberal versions of all three will be
the predominant views, and thusly there wont be a problem for the
majority.

However, I'm sure there will be small splinter groups, as well as other
non-abrahamic cults that are vehemently against it, but that is to be
expected.


An interesting thing, if you are Muslim, on Mars, how do you know
which way is towards Mecca?
Indeed, what if Mecca is at the time under you, would you than pray
standing on your head?

I hope that does'nt sound to negative, I'm nto trying to be, I'm just
curious about that.

Originally posted by iori_komei
An interesting thing, if you are Muslim, on Mars, how do you know
which way is towards Mecca?
Indeed, what if Mecca is at the time under you, would you than pray
standing on your head?

Ok.

Originally posted by iori_komei
An interesting thing, if you are Muslim, on Mars, how do you know
which way is towards Mecca?

In the scenario, it would generally be towards the direction of Earth. If Muslim does not know which way is East or West, then prayer in any direction will count fine just as well.

I feel that religion will be only for reasearch when dealing with other life forms. Religion can not play a role with planetary explorers. We can not interfere with other cultures until we have an understanding of ourselves that other peoples or life can believe in what ever they want, and we can only learn and understand. If we try to force our beliefs upon others than we are doomed to failure. Star trek had the Prime Directive. I feel NASA also has a prime directive until there is an understanding between life forms of beliefs or not. Religion can not stop the mission. We must move on from religions formed under the rule of swords and power hungry people with only a motive of control.

The future is the unknown. And a lot of people fear that. They would rather stay here and face their own prophesy than take a chance and keep faith in your back pocket and move forward to a higher learning.

Hence the Fourth Age of Man.

The TV Series of Babylon Five is a good example of diplomatic Achievements and Failures.

I did a post on would you go if you had a chance.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Originally posted by bufordny
I feel that religion will be only for reasearch when dealing with other life forms. Religion can not play a role with planetary explorers. We can not interfere with other cultures until we have an understanding of ourselves that other peoples or life can believe in what ever they want, and we can only learn and understand.

Well, first of all, I imagine that humanity is in spiritual infancy compared to other civilizations out there. So, for us to try to force beliefs that exist on this planet upon other civilizations would not only be arrogant but faulty.

Also, that is not really the topic of this thread. The topic of this thread is how will people of the religions here on earth react to colonizing other planets.

Originally posted by bufordny
Star trek had the Prime Directive. I feel NASA also has a prime directive until there is an understanding between life forms of beliefs or not. Religion can not stop the mission. We must move on from religions formed under the rule of swords and power hungry people with only a motive of control.

Just to be clear, the Prime Directive basically said you could'nt interfe,
in any way with pre-warp civilizations or get involved in conflicts, of any
kind that are between a group that was'nt part of the federation.


Hm, Iwonder how geeky it is that I know that..