Thought for the Week

It has been the topic of novels, adventure stories and TV dramas as long as I can remember.

Space exploration fascinates and excites us and has done so since we became aware of the wonders of the universe.

Mars seems to be the planet we seem to think might sustain life.

We have long contemplated the idea of some form of life on that distant red planet. Will it be little green men, Dalek type beings or aliens who want to take over our planet?

We might glean some knowledge when the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Spacecraft starts sending valuable information back to Earth. I find it interesting that we, in our human arrogance, tend to assume life on any other planet will be far more primitive, far inferior, far less intelligent, far less sophisticated than life here on Earth.

We are subject to the influence of science fiction, which speaks of primitive creatures wanting to take over our planet by aggression and force. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we found life in other parts of this amazing and infinite universe. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we found this life belonged to creatures who were peaceful, who did not take things by force, who were colour blind regarding people, who were altruistic, who cared about their planet, who treated all life with respect, who had no weapons of mass destruction, who did not pollute their home, who looked after the weakest among them? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Why do we tend to think celestial life would wish to harm us? Perhaps we are programmed to be warlike. Perhaps we need to re-examine ourselves. Who knows what the creator of the universe has concealed from us.