Papas Fritas writes:
"Megann Gannon reports that nearly 200 scientists are attending a conference, called "The Search for Life Beyond the Solar System: Exoplanets, Biosignature & Instruments," co-hosted by the Vatican Observatory with the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory.
The goal of the conference is to bring together the interdisciplinary community required to address this multi-faceted challenge: experts on exoplanet observations, early and extreme life on Earth, atmospheric biosignatures, and planet-finding telescopes. 'Finding life beyond Earth is one of the great challenges of modern science and we are excited to have the world leaders in this field together in Tucson,' says Daniel Apai. 'But reaching such an ambitious goal takes planning and time. The goal of this meeting is to discuss how we can find life among the stars within the next two decades.'
According to the organizers, the conference will cover the technical challenges of finding and imaging exoplanets and identifying biosignatures in the atmospheres of far-flung worlds. Other presentations will discuss the study of life forms that live in extreme environments on Earth, which could be apt analogs for life on other planets. Scientists will give more than 160 research presentations (PDF) during this week's conference and NASA's Astrobiology Institute will broadcast a live feed of the sessions. Catholic leaders say that alien life can be aligned with the Bible's teachings. 'Just as a multiplicity of creatures exists on Earth, so there could be other beings, also intelligent, created by God,' says Father Jose Funes"
(Score: 1, Troll) by Boxzy on Thursday March 20 2014, @03:58PM
You guys always trot out the tolerance BS every time your beliefs are challenged by new knowledge, then you attempt to stretch your belief system to include and incorporate the new knowledge.
Tell me, which group is the most tolerant, believers or non-believers?
Believers invented heresy, crusades, jihad, death by stoning, ritual murder, sacrifice, crucifixion.... I could go on.
Non-believers don't do any of that. We are perfectly happy for others to be exactly as moronic as they please as long as they keep quiet about it. Just so we are clear, your right to believe stupid shit ends at my ears and eyes. Your right to feel anger about my anger ends before your fist meets my nose alright?
Go green, Go Soylent.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by TK on Thursday March 20 2014, @05:36PM
Non-believers don't do any of that. We are perfectly happy for others to be exactly as moronic as they please as long as they keep quiet about it.
Tell that to Stalin.
Being a dick to other people isn't a trait exclusive to those rulers whose claim to power is based on their supposed relation to a god or gods. It's a trait inherent in all humans, and most expressive in humans with power over others.
The fleas have smaller fleas, upon their backs to bite them, and those fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 20 2014, @07:05PM
I don't hate science. In fact I am a subscriber to both science and religion. And it seems we scientists tend to remodel our beliefs as new observations come into view and theories evolve. For you to hate others for doing the same makes you a hypocrite.
Regardless of who started, created, and/or invented the above list you mentioned, be they religious, scientists, or both, the common denominator is they were all HUMAN. We aren't perfect, and neither is your list. The Romans carried out crucifixions. It just so happens that was the punishment handed down to Jesus. Sacrifice isn't a religious idea either. Nature has shown various organisms sacrifice themselves for their progeny. If you are going to be angry and hateful with someone, it might as well be with everyone. Perhaps you should quit the human race, because according to your logic, you were a part of all you listed simply because you were born.