Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!decwrl!shelby!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: SECBH@cunyvm.bitnet Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Salvation Not Needed? (was: Extra-terrestial worlds) Message-ID: Date: 7 Oct 90 03:07:51 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center Lines: 28 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu [In a discussion about aliens, Mike Gobbi compared them to Indians and other groups who came to hear about the Gospel. >They were just as saved by Christ's actions as the >Jews, unawareness of the incident notwithstanding. Similarly, any >extraterrestrial beings would have been saved by Jesus' sacrifice >despite the fact >that they have never heard of him (or even of humanity...) I find this a very curious statement. Saved from what? It was my understanding that the entire human race was considered to be in need of saving because of the transgression of Adam and Eve, the primal parents of all. But unless extra-terrestials were descended from Adam and Eve, why would they be in need of saving? What indication is there in the Christian scriptures that the mission of Jesus is applicable anywhere else than on this planet? For me the more interesting speculation would be what the impact on humans (at least Christian humans) would be if we came in contact with extra-terrestials who were not stained by original sin. Humans might find that they are the spiritual low-lifes of the universe. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Carroll Somewhere, beyond both space and time, Is wetter water, slimier slime... And in that heaven of all their wish There shall be no more land, say fish. Rupert Brooke