Something you don't see every day - Vatican looking for E.T.

[137th Gebirg]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hf92aHEwYT87J1XPP4JrIusKBT-AD9BSTO1G1

Looks like the Vatican is taking a rather progressive approach in this. I truly wonder if we're on the cusp of some rapidly-approaching revelation (not having to do with the final book in the Bible). With all the "indoctrination" that we've gotten from Hollywood over the past 60+ years about alien encounters/invasion, possibly preparing us for the day we make contact. It's no secret that the Brookings Report of 1960-61 mentioned that premature exposure to alien life would likely result in the mass panic like was experienced during the initial "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast. What if we have been prepped all this time to get ready for that one event that will redefine our role in the universe? The Vatican's recent involvement almost has me convinced, considering its history with such things in the past century (which they touch upon in the article).

 

[Zachary Smith]

My opinion is that this is an effort for the Vatican (and by extension, the Catholic Church) to appear to be more progressive in matters regarding science. Especially when considering their stance on issues such as stem-cell research, they don't want to appear "anti-science" across the board. The Vatican's "open-mindedness" toward ET-life is unlikely to be one of the main topics of conversation among the general populace at ANY gathering and, if alien life IS discovered at some point (and i believe it will) they'll be ahead of the curve and have a nice CYA.

As far as us being "indoctrinated" the last 60 years to the possibility of alien life--are you daft? 90% of entertainment depictions of alien contact are violent, destructive invasions launched by inhuman monsters from across the cosmos. For every gentle, nice contact like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" there are twenty or thirty "War of the Worlds". If they are "indoctrinating" us toward the possibility of alien life, they are launching from an almost PURE platform of paranoia. Also, I have to wonder if, in addition to movies and Hollywood "prepping us" for some great announcement that "We Are Not Alone", if they are also prepping us for hoards of the Undead to rise from the grave to feast on human flesh, or for waves of vampires to begin devouring us like cattle, or even for more mundane possibilities such as teaching us to remain calm during Indian attacks because the Cavalry will arrive at the best moment and that Nazis ALWAYS lose.

Sometimes a cigar is JUST a cigar, ya know.

 

[iguana_tonante]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hf92aHEwYT87J1XPP4JrIusKBT-AD9BSTO1G1

Looks like the Vatican is taking a rather progressive approach in this. I truly wonder if we're on the cusp of some rapidly-approaching revelation (not having to do with the final book in the Bible). With all the "indoctrination" that we've gotten from Hollywood over the past 60+ years about alien encounters/invasion, possibly preparing us for the day we make contact.

Personally, I think the only common plan between the Vatican and Hollywood is to make as much money as possible. Talking about aliens can do that.

However, it's cool they cited astronomer Tommaso Maccacaro. Nice chap.

Also, I have to wonder if, in addition to movies and Hollywood "prepping us" for some great announcement that "We Are Not Alone", if they are also prepping us for hoards of the Undead to rise from the grave to feast on human flesh, or for waves of vampires to begin devouring us like cattle

And this is comforting... how?

 

[Zachary Smith]

^^

Well, it has a nice "MuhHUHUhuhuhHA!" factor.

 

[Meredith]

http://southpark.wikia.com/wiki/Gelgameks

 

[All Seeing Eye]

What if we have been prepped all this time to get ready for that one event that will redefine our role in the universe? The Vatican's recent involvement almost has me convinced, considering its history with such things in the past century (which they touch upon in the article).

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

 

[Zachary Smith]

^^

Hoo boy . . .

 

[sojourner]

^Yea, and that Transformers 2 movie. Oh, and there is talks of a 3rd Men in Black movie! just in time.

 

[Meredith]

What if we have been prepped all this time to get ready for that one event that will redefine our role in the universe? The Vatican's recent involvement almost has me convinced, considering its history with such things in the past century (which they touch upon in the article).

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

What are you talking about and do you listen to Mancow?

 

[diankra]

The Clarke Award-winning book The Sparrow (by Mary Doria Russell) took the idea of the Catholic Church (more strictly speaking, the Jesuits, I think) looking for ET life as its starting point 14 years ago. ISTR from the time it came out, but that aspect of it was based in fact even then.

 

[PurpleBuddha]

What if we have been prepped all this time to get ready for that one event that will redefine our role in the universe? The Vatican's recent involvement almost has me convinced, considering its history with such things in the past century (which they touch upon in the article).

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

I'm not in the loop. What is the coming disclosure?

 

[Jeri]

Chris Impey, an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona, said it was appropriate that the Vatican would host such a meeting.

This fellow was my freshman astronomy professor a couple decades ago at the U. of Arizona. I'd recommend that class to anybody.

By 1961, the Vatican Observatory was having problems with light pollution in Italy; and they established the Vatican Observatory Research Group, with offices at the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

In 1993, VORG completed the 1.8 metres (71 in) Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, which is at Mount Graham near Safford, Arizona.

 

[137th Gebirg]

What if we have been prepped all this time to get ready for that one event that will redefine our role in the universe? The Vatican's recent involvement almost has me convinced, considering its history with such things in the past century (which they touch upon in the article).

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

I'm not in the loop. What is the coming disclosure?

The possibility that all this media hype of alien encounters that's happened in recent years is preparing everyone for the eventual full disclosure of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Not quite sure why several of the so-called "open minded fans" of Star Trek are scoffing at this. The level of ignorance on this topic baffles me. Methinks that too many people are still in denial and the "job isn't done" yet.

 

[Lindley]

The scoffing isn't about the possibility of alien life. The scoffing is about the notion that the government knows about it and is using Hollywood to "prepare" us. That's a first-rate conspiracy theory, I'll grant, but it's a bit silly.

 

[Zachary Smith]

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

I'm not in the loop. What is the coming disclosure?

The possibility that all this media hype of alien encounters that's happened in recent years is preparing everyone for the eventual full disclosure of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Not quite sure why several of the so-called "open minded fans" of Star Trek are scoffing at this. The level of ignorance on this topic baffles me. Methinks that too many people are still in denial and the "job isn't done" yet.

Maybe because a decade ago the government couldn't keep a BLOW-JOB secret, much less news of alien contact which they would coordinating with "Hollywood" in order to "prep" the public for "disclosure.

There is no "disclosure" coming. Don't be ridiculous. And CERTAINLY the media hype (which by MY last count has been going on for SIXTY years) is preparing no one for anything. Alien contact (usually with hostile intent) is a subject that is fertile ground for story-telling. Or would you have us believe that the recent trend in vampire movies is "prepping" us for news that they are REAL!!! What about that rash of "body-swapping" movies int he late 1980's? What was THAT prepping us for?

Excuse me if I seem a bit harsh here but I find both your naive position AND your intrinsic arrogance on this subject annoying and embarrassing. You see, contrary to your snide condescension about "open-minded star-trek fans" I DO believe very much in the likely-hood of intelligent alien life elsewhere in the universe. I believe in the POSSIBILITY that such life has visited the Earth. I have a curiosity and an interest in this subject. People like you, with your "Hollywood prepping us for disclosure" nonsense (as if "Hollywood" were some kind of cohesive organization rather than a bunch of money-interested execs scrambling to make a buck) and your ominous suggestions of privileged information (HOW do you know what you claim to know--read it in a supermarket tabloid of a book from the "New Age" section at Barnes and Noble?) make any sober considerations guilty of scorn and ridicule by association. Frankly, you're issuing "nut-job" talk and it's the kind of thing that makes it HARDER for reasonable-minded people to examine a topic such as UFOs and the possibility of intelligent life from elsewhere visiting the earth absent scorn and ridicule from the general public.

 

[Samurai8472]

I have to wonder if, in addition to movies and Hollywood "prepping us" for some great announcement that "We Are Not Alone", if they are also prepping us for hoards of the Undead to rise from the grave to feast on human flesh, or for waves of vampires to begin devouring us like cattle, or even for more mundane possibilities such as teaching us to remain calm during Indian attacks because the Cavalry will arrive at the best moment and that Nazis ALWAYS lose.

Everybody to their nearest mall!

 

[Zachary Smith]

I have to wonder if, in addition to movies and Hollywood "prepping us" for some great announcement that "We Are Not Alone", if they are also prepping us for hoards of the Undead to rise from the grave to feast on human flesh, or for waves of vampires to begin devouring us like cattle, or even for more mundane possibilities such as teaching us to remain calm during Indian attacks because the Cavalry will arrive at the best moment and that Nazis ALWAYS lose.

Everybody to their nearest mall!

When the Dead walk, we must stop the killing, or we lose the war . . .

 

[StarryEyed]

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

I'm not in the loop. What is the coming disclosure?

The possibility that all this media hype of alien encounters that's happened in recent years is preparing everyone for the eventual full disclosure of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Not quite sure why several of the so-called "open minded fans" of Star Trek are scoffing at this. The level of ignorance on this topic baffles me. Methinks that too many people are still in denial and the "job isn't done" yet.

I think you are confusing "open-minded" with "gullible." Science by its very nature is open-minded but critical. No possibility is discounted but acceptance requires evidence. The more extraordinary the claim, the greater the requirement of evidence.

If I tell you that one of my neighbors is a pretty, blond lady who tends to over-gesticulate when she speaks, you might accept that without much (or any) evidence because the claim is perfectly in line with known reality. Nothing extraordinary about it. But if I tell you that the pretty, blond lady is an alien masquerading as human... Hmm. You might be open to the possibility but if you have any critical thinking skills at all, you will recognize that it is far more likely that I'm either playing with your head or are mistaken than my neighbor actually being an alien. She still could be but probably not. Such an extraordinary claim requires equally extraordinary evidence.

 

[PurpleBuddha]

I think we both know about the coming 'disclosure' of extraterrestrial life, or at least what will appear to be disclosure.
Interesting they've just brought out a remake of V isn't it?

I'm not in the loop. What is the coming disclosure?

The possibility that all this media hype of alien encounters that's happened in recent years is preparing everyone for the eventual full disclosure of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Not quite sure why several of the so-called "open minded fans" of Star Trek are scoffing at this. The level of ignorance on this topic baffles me. Methinks that too many people are still in denial and the "job isn't done" yet.

So they are trying to prep to public to go into mass panic and hysteria when the day arrives? I don't get it. Maybe the aliens are guiding this hype campaign and want everyone running around like crazed fools so they can have fun picking them off like fish in a barrel.

 

[Kibbin]

I think as someone said above that this is just a way for the Vatican to appear more progressive I don't think that they think they will find anything they just want to look like they are looking. After all if we could confirm another intelligant race out there would that not (for many at least) bring into question their beliefs. God made us in his image so who are these fancy buggers with better technology than us and where did they come from?
I'm not suggesting that most christians (and other religions) would think such a way but I suspect a few.