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An interesting article, perhaps, but Mr. Overbye clearly presents just a surface look at Catholic theology and thought processes about extra terrestrial life, m
by russnewcomer 12y ago
An interesting article, perhaps, but Mr. Overbye clearly presents just a surface look at Catholic theology and thought processes about extra terrestrial life, mixed with his apparent skepticism [shown in the form of Clarke's story] about the morality or rationality of such a worldview. No real depth, no apparent ability to see the theological equivalence, in this case, between someone in a remote uncontacted tribe in the Amazon and an extra terrestrial, and a host of further issues that I frequently see in someone who seems to subscribe to Stephen J Gould's 'non-overlapping magesteria' ideals. Kind of feels like a short Vanity Fair or Rolling Stone article on a complex technological topic.
If Clarke's story ideas are tantalizing to the reader, I would suggest reading Perelandra by C.S. Lewis for a [admittedly dated] view from the other side of the equation. (I know of no similarly posited and argued Catholic story, so my apologies for suggesting a strongly Protestant one after the Catholic points in the article).
- c0brac0bra 12y agoI'd think Chesterton would have had something to say about it but I'm having a hard time finding any references. I would posit that there's some relevant material in The Everlasting Man, though.
- kej 12y ago> I would suggest reading Perelandra People should read Out of the Silent Planet first, and then Perelandra. The third book in the series is also good, but goes in a different direction and doesn't really touch on the relationship between the Christian God and extraterrestrial life.