Beyond God's power to forgive dead souls?

Aliens and the Catholic Church

Does the Church teach that angels are the only form of nonhuman intelligence created by God? Is belief in extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) or other forms of nonhuman intelligence (NHI) contrary to the Catholic faith?

In the early twentieth century, research into paranormal phenomena was one of the many interests of the English Jesuit Fr. Herbert Thurston (1856-1939). A prolific scholar, he made extensive contributions to the Catholic Encyclopedia, writing on spiritual, historical, liturgical, and literary subjects. Thurston came to conclusions similar to those of Sinistrari: Numerous cases brought to exorcists, he reasoned, seem to involve examples of NHI that are not demonic.

The renowned Italian Capuchin friar, priest, and mystic St. Pio of Pietrelcina (also known as Padre Pio, 1887-1968) once declared emphatically in private conversation that other beings exist on other planets who did not sin and fall as we did.

More recently, Pope St. John Paul II (1920-2005) was once asked in a public audience by a youngster, “Holy Father, are there any aliens?” Tellingly, the saint did not reply, “No, that would be contrary to our faith,” or “If they exist, then . . .” Instead, he said simply, “Always remember: They are children of God as we are.”

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online...lic-church

Quote:Annoying, isn't it?

Yeah which is why your the only one doing it 

Quote:Right, because it's generally hard to seek redemption for something when you are dead.

Pretty sure god could forgive dead people 

Quote:It's why we don't give people 5 years in prison for successfully committing suicide - kinda pointless.

Last I checked prison is for the living

Quote:I'm sorry you believe carelessly and unjustly taking human life isn't a bad thing and perhaps even wise, though it certainly explains a lot.

He says nothing like that 

My grandson's other grandmother is now doubling down on the fear thing where religion is concerned. T is 13 now and not as interested in spending time with the grandparents as he is spending time with his friends and being involved in school activities. He used to go to church with the grandparents every time the door was open but has made the comment that his other grandmother doesn't act very Christian.

It infuriates me that she is now threatening him with a terrible life since he doesn't attend church enough for her liking.

Luckily my daughter is hearing what grandson is saying.

She started on me when I was there this summer but I put a stop to that. It's easier to do as an adult and I hope that T finally speaks up about his feelings.

(December 4, 2024 at 3:13 pm)The Architect Of Fate Wrote:

Quote:Annoying, isn't it?

Yeah which is why your the only one doing it 

Ah well, a little self-awareness does cost a mighty fine dollar a drop.

Quote:Last I checked prison is for the living

And last I checked only the living bear the capability to make amends for their actions.

Quote:Ah well, a little self-awareness does cost a mighty fine dollar a drop.

Nah my self awareness is fine and again your the only one doing that 

Quote:And last I checked only the living bear the capability to make amends for their actions.

Pretty sure if you believe in an afterlife their no reason you couldn't do so after death

(December 4, 2024 at 6:03 pm)TheWhiteMarten Wrote:

(December 4, 2024 at 3:13 pm)The Architect Of Fate Wrote: Yeah which is why your the only one doing it 

Ah well, a little self-awareness does cost a mighty fine dollar a drop.

Quote:Last I checked prison is for the living

And last I checked only the living bear the capability to make amends for their actions.

Annoying? Nah, china. You’re about as troublesome in my world as a cloudy day.

Who did you check with, exactly? Certainly not the Holy Mother Church, who has long held that the souls of the departed go through a process of purification after death (they stole the idea from the heathen Greeks, filed off the serial numbers, and claimed it for their own, but that’s neither here nor there).

Boru

(December 4, 2024 at 1:29 pm)TheWhiteMarten Wrote:

(December 4, 2024 at 12:01 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: This is another stupid thing religious people say.

Boru

I'm sorry you believe carelessly and unjustly taking human life isn't a bad thing and perhaps even wise, though it certainly explains a lot.

Sigh, straw man fallacy, that claim isn't remotely what he said, at this point I shan't even feign surprise.

(December 4, 2024 at 7:20 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(December 4, 2024 at 6:03 pm)TheWhiteMarten Wrote: Ah well, a little self-awareness does cost a mighty fine dollar a drop.


And last I checked only the living bear the capability to make amends for their actions.

Annoying? Nah, china. You’re about as troublesome in my world as a cloudy day.

Who did you check with, exactly? Certainly not the Holy Mother Church, who has long held that the souls of the departed go through a process of purification after death (they stole the idea from the heathen Greeks, filed off the serial numbers, and claimed it for their own, but that’s neither here nor there).

Boru

Purification implies salvation has already been achieved, this is not rocket science.