My Sunday Thought for 090317: Panspermia - Evolution or Creationism?

Panspermia, Evolution, and Creationism 

"Panspermia is the theory that microorganisms or biochemical compounds from outer space are responsible for originating life on Earth and possibly in other parts of the universe where suitable atmospheric conditions exist. Essentially, it is a hypothesis which states that life on earth came from outer space."

-- IDEA Center, Problems with Panspermia or Extraterrestrial Origin of Life Scenarios

When I first heard the term "panspermia" I immediately thought this was something every young man with raging hormones strives to be guilty of. Of course, as usual, I was wrong. While researching this post I came across a paper presented by the non-profit Intelligent Design and Evolution (IDEA) Center, and based much of this post on their thoughts. I recommend all interested parties give their site a look and, hopefully, find it as interesting and thought provoking as I did.

Once again I find myself wondering why creationists and evolutionists can't come to a meeting of the minds. The more science discovers, the more they prove the existence of an intelligent force at work in the universe. Whether we call this force "God" would seem irrelevant to the fact that we would have to call this force something in order to allow for cogent discussion on any subject concerning it. I am more than willing to adopt the Star Wars definition dealing with a dark and light side of a "force" as there must always be balance in the universe, and I also agree with Taoist philosophy concerning an ultimate power, the Tao, controlling the universe. We can call it a force of energy simply at the mercy of universal restrictions, which would explain why everything in the universe must operate within certain parameters and, therefore, explains why everything is so similar, but that opens up the question of what, or who, put said restrictions in place.

“Does progress mean that we dissolve our ancient myths? If we forget our legends, I fear that we shall close an important door to the imagination”

-- James Christensen (1942-2017), religious and fantasy artist

It possible that science will every truly answer the question of God.  I think Taoist philosophy says it best as it discusses trying to explain or define the Tao: "The Tao that can be told is not the Eternal Tao.  The name that can be named is not the Eternal Name.  Nothingness is the Origin of Heaven and Earth.  Beingness is the Mother of the Ten Thousand Things.  When you are free of desire, you will understand the Essence of your life.  When you identify with your desires, you will observe the manifestations of your life.  Both contain the deepest secrets arising from the dark unknown, the Doorway to the Mysteries of Life."  In this same thought process I don't think any definition of God can ever be considered as the true definition of the eternal God.  I think anyone who gleans this ultimate knowledge will find no reason to share it as it will probably seem so obvious and insignificant in the greater scheme which is our universe.

“There was no need for a term like ‘magical thinking’ in the Golden Age of Man... there was only genuine everyday magic and mysticism. Children were not mocked or scolded in those days for singing to the rain or talking to the wind.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten, author, psychic medium

According to IDEA, "intelligent design is not a religious theory" and they promote this theory "purely on its scientific merits" stating the "identity of the designer is completely separate."  This way of promoting ideas, discussion, and conclusions is novel for folks who are concerned with religion, science, and law.  I found their discussion of their religious affiliation states this approach best when one reads it in total vice the snippets I have provided and, as this is an important aspect of open and active minds which many of us should learn, I felt it prudent to present it in their own words:

"Intelligent design is not a religious theory and the IDEA Center promotes intelligent design as a scientific theory. Therefore, the IDEA Center does not have an official religious affiliation. The IDEA Center believes that it is important to be upfront about one's bias, and thus it is important to state that the founders of the IDEA Center are Christians. At the heart of our advocacy is to promote intelligent design theory purely on its scientific merits and we believe that in the investigation of intelligent design the identity of the designer is completely separate from the scientific theory of intelligent design, since a scientific theory cannot specify the identity of the designer based upon the empirical data or the scientific method alone, and is not dependent upon religious premises."

I love this!  In essence, we can go about our scientific business of proving stuff using accepted scientific method and kick the can concerning the identity of the creative genius down the road.  I love this for the simple fact that, when it is all said and done, and as a person of faith, the inescapable conclusion will always be anchored to the identity of the designer.  What makes me so certain of this?  I will use another statement from IDEA to answer:

Physicist Fred Hoyle once said, "A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question."

I also like the way Mr. Hoyle doesn't state this as a concrete conclusion but, rather, a conclusion almost beyond question.  We exist for facts, yet we forget that a fact usually begins with a hypothesis.  We have discovered so many things for ourselves of which nature is already privy - the magic involved in mathematics and the Fibonacci spiral, the golden ratio, morphogenesis, fractals and the Mandelbrot set.  Now we have physicists rediscovering "groundbreaking" theories that thought being energy may lead to proof of the physical manifestation of thought; what we think is.  After all, is not time simply a construct of the human mind?  If nothing is around to capable of processing the intricacies of a tree falling, does it, in fact, make a sound?

“The same principles that make a spiral galaxy also create the structure of a seashell and unfurling of a fern. This is why ancient spiritual people used natural symbols to convey universal concepts.”

-- Mark "Belsebuub" Pritchard, spiritual author

Panspermia may prove out to be exactly how life was spread through the universe. If so, does this disprove biblical stories of Genesis? I think not. It simply means man has created God inspired stories which require editing. Perhaps we should view our faith as living, breathing, vibrantly robust and constantly evolving as more facts, more truths, become available. Does panspermia disprove the hand of God in creation, or does it prove, beyond a shadow of doubt, the ultimate creative genius of a super-intellect at work in a cosmos of its own making?

“God is the ultimate ground of Being, and this ultimate ground of Being is YOU. For one who realizes their true nature as God, as Consciousness, life becomes a joy without end.”

-- Joseph P. Kauffman, spiritual author

My conclusion is exactly that of the IDEA staff and founders who believe "compelling evidence shows that the universe was as a whole designed by a "super-intellect" that was not natural. A natural (i.e. within-the-universe extra-terrestrial) being could not have "monkeyed" with the laws of nature on a universe-wide scale. Since we feel that design extends from microbiology to the huge expanses of the universe, the designer must also go beyond the scale of the universe. In short, we believe the universe, and the life within it, were designed by an Intelligent Being--God. However, we realize that this is a religious or philosophical claim, and not necessarily a scientific one. We find many philosophical and religious arguments that God did design the universe. Regardless of one's religious perspective, we believe that the scientific evidence does imply that life and the universe were designed. This can be concluded scientifically without getting into religious or philosophical questions about the identity of the designer."

But then, this is all simply opinion until such time as it becomes fact. For me, my faith will hold on to the only logical conclusion, which Mr. Hoyle is touting,  that some "super-intellect" has monkeyed with physics.  I will be no worse off if I end up being wrong, whereas I see any other option as simply living life without hope.  There is simply too much we do not know about why children have memories of past lives, to sell down the proverbial river the idea of life after death and a supreme deity, a super-intellect.  Perhaps what really sets most of mankind apart from lower lifeforms isn't just our sense of self but, rather, our great capacity for hope.

I present this to all of you as My Sunday Thought, for this September 3rd, and ask that you keep your minds open and active as you come up with your own thoughts about the subject.

“This is how early age people heard music, not through their ears above the cacophony of modern life but directly from the universe into their souls.”

-- Bryan Islip, author

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.