Should humans colonize outer space?

Many are passionate about colonizing outer space. They argue that it can be “Plan B” to rescue earth, or a solution to depleting resources and human overpopulation, or a way to move polluting industries out of earth. They say it will bring prosperity and shield humans from worldwide catastrophes, disasters, pandemic, etc. It is a way to save humanity from extinction and is our moral duty and obligation. Since there is no indication of life in space, there are no issues of indigenous displacement. There are enormous resources in space. But do it carefully, some warn.

Many others are not convinced. They point out: Adaptability to an alien environment is highly questionable, and life there can be miserable and unsafe. Do not mess up other planets and space like we messed up the earth. First address climate change; solve existing problems here and stop the earth’s destruction. Colonization can contribute to the environmental degradation of space and lead to new wars; and it needs a broad consensus of various nations. It will help the continuance of colonialism, commodification and imperialism, and raise many bioethical, cultural, moral and sociopolitical issues. There is no hurry. We should decide our ethical priorities. And who will foot the bill, as space travel can be highly expensive?

Exploration is fine, but not colonization; some add. Others say the entire concept is just science fiction and a conspiracy to distract humans from earthly problems.

We asked our panel: Should humans colonize outer space?

An open question

Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada

My passing acquaintance with the Torah, the Bible, the Koran, the Analects, etc., which are the basis of the major religions of the world, makes me aware that human knowledge of “outer space” was exceedingly limited at the time that such texts were composed. Galileo’s problems with the Catholic Church (the heliocentric vs. geocentric universe) stemming from the results shown by his new telescope, illustrate how little was known of the heavens by the ancients. Consequently expecting the traditional major religions to have useful opinions about whether humanity should colonize other planets seems dubious.

A more interesting question for this writer is the attitude of modern religions regarding the question of whether life evolved elsewhere in the universe. From the reading I have done, I’ve been surprised by how open modern Catholicism is to this question of whether life evolved elsewhere, to encounter should we colonize outer space.

Not for profit

Sherif A. Elfass, member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “O assembly of Jinn and men! If you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass!” (55:33). Islam does not prevent man from attempting to explore space and the wonders it contains. While Islam encourages scientific inquiry, it doesn’t explicitly address space colonization. However, verses like 54:28 and 7:31 emphasize responsible stewardship of Earth’s resources.

Unjustly exploiting outer space for profit is disallowed because it contradicts principles of fairness and justice reiterated in the Quran. But the permissibility of colonization for human survival is debated. A fatwa from the UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment prohibits a Mars trip due to unjustifiable risks to life in Islam. In essence, Islamic principles endorse exploration but caution against exploitative colonization, stressing responsible resource management on Earth while debating the ethical considerations of venturing into outer space.

All in divine order

Toni King, spiritual leader, Unity Center of Reno

Only after we master being better stewards of the world with which we’ve been gifted and entrusted to care for would we be in a place of high consciousness to colonize subsequent worlds without devastating consequences. If the argument is that resources are limited and failing us given a burgeoning population, I submit there is always enough for all God’s children when we focus on the abundance of all things in God. Aligning the human mind with Divine Mind will ignite creative thinking for dissolving any obstacle for helping Earth heal, understanding and using prosperity principles, and furthering the human species through exploration of space — when the time is right, in divine order.

Metaphysically, the greatest journey one could ever take is the journey within. All elements of time, space, depths of understanding the self/Self, God, and the universe are already available. What is it then that we’re searching for?

Go out to all the world

Daniel H. Mueggenborg, bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno

When Jesus gave the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t thinking of outer space.

Nonetheless, I know of nothing in Christian teaching that would prohibit such exploration. Humanity has an innate desire to explore new realities, which is a unique expression of our God-given intelligence.

Pope Benedict XVI expressed well this human quality when he spoke with astronauts on the International Space Station in 2011: “… you are our representatives — spearheading humanity’s exploration of new spaces and possibilities for our future, going beyond the limitations of our everyday existence.

“We all admire your courage, as well as the discipline and commitment with which you prepared yourselves for this mission. We are convinced you are inspired by noble ideals and that you intend placing the results of your research and endeavors at the disposal of all humanity and for the common good …”

Focus on what is important

Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center

Buddhism has no concerns as to whether people should or should not colonize other worlds. In our cosmology we recognize the existence of vast numbers of world systems in the Universe. In the Meditation sutra the Buddha describes movement from one world to another as simple: “As easy as a man extends his arm” a Buddha can transport from one place to another — from one world to another. But there is no importance to such parlor tricks except to teach the Dharma.

In the Simsapa sutra, the Buddha explains that he does not teach most of what he knows. He only teaches means, methods and understandings that are connected with the goal of enlightenment, to the foundations of a spiritual life, and lead to disenchantment, to peace, and direct knowledge, self-awakening, The Unbinding. All other questions he advises us to set aside until the goal is reached.

I believe not

Micheal L. Peterson, northwestern Nevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We know through the testimony of the prophets that God has created many worlds (see Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 11:3 and Matthew 24) And when God spoke with Moses, He said “And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine only begotten (Moses 1:33). Yet He showed Moses and other prophets the specifics of only this world — the world to which each of us belong. God has also made known the creation of this world and even how the end thereof will play out (see Mathew 24 and Revelations). All mortal challenges mentioned in the scriptures are referenced to this world.

For these reasons and many others too voluminous to include here, I do not believe that we are destined to colonize other worlds prior to the Savior’s Second Coming.

Yes, but with compassion

Dawn M. Blundell, lead pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Fallon

The idea of colonizing other planets is foreign to the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, so there is really nothing in the Bible to prohibit or encourage it. How we might do it, though, deserves consideration. We humans have done tremendous harm by colonizing a new area, wasting and hoarding its resources, and abusing the peoples who already live there. Since it seems unlikely that we are the only living creatures in the universe, it stands to reason that any habitable planet we find will be already occupied. The Christian faith should remind us, in that case, to do unto aliens as we would have them do unto us.

Also, the Bible prioritizes using our resources to alleviate suffering and provide for any in need. So the astronomical (*wink*) cost of exploring and colonizing space should be balanced with resources needed to care for this planet and its people.

Yes — to infinity and beyond

ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish rabbi Jewish thinkers already assume we’ll eventually move off-planet, not just Captain Kirk and Spock. Are we “permitted” to go? Yes, we are curious beings and our nature is to explore. G-d is with us no matter how far we travel. Deuteronomy 30:4: “If your dispersed will be at the ends of heaven, from there G-d will gather you and from there G-d will bring you.” Indeed, Psalm 139 assures that G-d is omnipresent and watching over us — “to infinity and beyond.”

Fortunately, Judaism is portable and Jewish thinkers have already given thought as to how Judaism will flourish in space. Orthodox thinkers have addressed topics like how to keep Shabbat outside Earth’s orbit. Tech Tribe’s online art project called “Jews in Space” is a testament to such Jewish long-term planning. In fact, ultra-orthodox Rebbe Menachem Schneerson, of blessed memory, encouraged us to keep looking for life in outer space.

Disciples not colonizers

Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church

As one writer says, “Scripture reminds us that God created the heavens, a concept encompassing both Earth’s atmosphere and the boundless cosmos.” We understand also from Scripture, this same Creator has given humankind “dominion” over this creation. Dominion, or stewardship, is much better understood as the “responsible duty of care” for our planet and its inhabitants. It’s about the good management of all creation in contrast with the exploitation of natural resources and peoples. Orthodox ascetic tradition has much to teach us about consumerism, the commodification of life, and the selfish motives that lead us to colonize and settle places and lands in the first place.

Nevertheless, I don’t believe we’re meant to be colonizers, but rather apostles. We’ve been sent out and given a commission to “go and make disciples of all nations,” to expand the Peace of God’s Kingdom, not the wars and strife of our earthly empires.

Yes, when we are spiritually ready

Nancy Lee Cecil, Baha’i teacher

Our sense of wonder about outer space deepens our knowledge of the universe and will expand our understanding of the possibilities for colonization of known planets and unexplored galaxies. With symbiotic harmony between technology and spirituality, such explorations can lead to positive advances in civilizations about which we can only imagine.

While most of Baha’i Writings focus on the imperative for unity on this planet, there is a passage saying, “Know thou that every fixed star has its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose numbers no man can compute.” From outer space, we see our planet in its glory, without man-made borders for which so many wars have been fought. We can understand — visually — Baha’u’llah’s words: “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens … every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading to His knowledge, a symbol of His majesty …”

Natural piety says no

Anthony Shafton, author and atheist thinker

The moon would be feasible. What for? a) Mining; b) as a platform to beyond. As for mining, “colonize” says it all: exploitation! It turns my stomach to imagine looking up at Apple or Elon raping humankind’s precious heritage. I cop to being romantic: “And I could wish my days to be / Bound each to each by natural piety.” Wordsworth wasn’t referencing deities or spiritual destinations. And if there’s natural piety, there’s also natural blasphemy — like mining lithium on the moon.

As for lifting off a cargo of breeders or embryos to the beyond while here we render the home planet uninhabitable, that’s as darkly unreal a fantasy as God annihilating everything and everyone but Noah and spouse and animal pairs. Folks, science says we’re bound for death, individual and planetary. Deal with it! Skip these cryogenic dodges. Let’s patiently, urgently try to fix our mess, with natural piety.

Adventure awaits

Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks

Some may point to Psalm 115:16 — “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind” — with shouts of, “Leave space alone!” The author was poetically elevating the loftiness of God, not prohibiting space travel, which wasn’t even a dream at the time of writing. But what about the mandate of Genesis 1:28, to “fill the earth and subdue it”? Does the mandate end with our atmosphere? The Bible doesn’t answer that question because it wasn’t a consideration thousands of years ago either.

However, if God is the Creator of all and has given us intellect, will and desire with that comes the natural bent toward exploration. Like the explorers of old that set off on harrowing adventures of exploration, we can do the same with space. The stakes of survival may be higher, yet the invitation to explore is still present.

Next week’s topic: What is your perspective on consensual nonmonogamy?