NATS A3 (1)
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Dec 6, 2023
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Do you believe Chalmers’s response really did justice to Paine’s objection? In your
opinion what is the major shortcoming(s) of Chalmers’s response? Hint: we discussed
this briefly in class (you should respond to this in one to two paragraph of 300-400
words in total)
I think Chalmers’ response did not do justice to Paine’s objection, simply because he
fails to explain why humanity is so important to witness Christ’s resurrection. I think that if
he used more theoretical concepts that would subject any reader to believe in his perspective,
rather than leaving holes in his hypothesis. From my understanding, Paine argues that you
cannot believe in Christianity and also believe in the existence of extraterrestrial beings. The
main shortcoming of Chalmers’ response is that if the universe is so vast with many beings,
why did Christ choose to come down to Earth and not anywhere else? Another question to be
raised by his objection is what makes Earth and humans so special? I believe that Chalmers’
shortcoming of mentioning anthropocentrism is what makes his response a little weak
although I agree with what he was arguing. I think that Chalmers was valid in mentioning
how in a Christian’s perspective, the actions of Christ were so significant that it has not been
forgotten, there is a possibility that it has occurred in other beings’ worlds. As Paine argues,
the possibility of Christ dying on Earth, does not promise the existence of other beings.
Chalmers does not pinpoint the argument of anthropocentrism. What I found interesting in
the article is that Nunes says that there is a possibility that humans are “lost sheep” and we
are the beings who do not have a good relationship with our creator. That could be the reason
for our lives to be affected by Christ’s resurrection.
In your opinion, do you think Paine’s argument is still valid today? Before arguing your
point of view, please carefully read the article in the next few pages, published in New
York Times in 2008. Discuss whether you are content with Chalmers’s response or a
modern version of it given by the Jesuit Jose Funes. (your answer must be 400-500
words).
I do not agree with Paine’s point and do not deem it as valid because of the extent of
our universe. After reading the article about the Vatican astronomer, I believe that the belief
of extraterrestrials and Christianity can coexist. One point that I read from the article was that
God is the creator of all things, and that does not leave out other forms of beings. Funes says,
“This is not in contrast with our faith because we can't put limits on God's creative freedom”.
I believe that this is true as in Christianity, God as a creator has no limits to what he can
create; so that should not exempt beings that are not visible to us. Another point from the
article is that the universe is so big, we cannot assume that we are the only beings roaming.
Another aspect from Nunes is that humans may be the beings who are “lost sheep” and do not
have contact with our creator, which may not be the case for others.
To conclude I believe that the universe is entirely too big for us to be the only beings
alive although we are limited to Earth. Humans are aware of the multiple galaxies and with
new technology we have been able to see that some other planets have been deemed to be
habitable. I am content with Nunes’ description of Christianity and extraterrestrials as his
logic and explanation makes the most sense to me. I think that although Chalmers’ is working
in the right direction, his point does not fully address how extraterrestrials can exist within
Christ’s power. Unlike Nunes who uses popular beliefs of Christ to explain the existence of
them. Like for example, God being the Creator of everything then should not limit him
creating beings higher than us.
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