More than 200 scientists from 26 countries have gathered in Rome for a five-day meeting on disc galaxies sponsored by the Vatican. The church that persecuted Galileo periodically convenes science conferences. In 1993 the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope was completed in Tucson, Ariz., equipped with a new large American-made 1.8 metre mirror.
"They want the world to know that the Church isn't afraid of science," said one participant.
In response, the Southern Baptist Convention has proposed negotiating with NASA to place a three-ton flashlight in stationary orbit over Nashville. The powerful light would be seen from anywhere in the United States and represent "the light of the Gospel available to all men"
"We don't want a missile gap with the Catholics," said SBC executive Morris Chapman. "At the same time, I just don't see what "disc galaxies" have to do with God. A more evangelistic use of space seemed appropriate to us. And we've got even more spacey ideas. Our proposed Baptist moon base, for instance, will feature a giant cross visible at 300,000 miles."
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Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Vatican, Baptists in space race?
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5 comments:
As a Southern Baptist living in Nashville, I must say...this is brilliant. I wonder if we could make the big flashlight simulate lightning striking...well, we'll make a list of targets later. Not to do actual harm, mind you...call it a "sermon illustration technology." At least folks will think twice before they skip church to get to a Titans game on time.
Might I get link to the SBC flashlight story ~ it did not come up on a quick google search. In a world crying for peace and justice, it is hard to fathom such adventures...
There are good reasons for the International Dark Sky Association to try to save the night sky from excess light besides just astronomy. Would Southern Baptists really subscribe to the idea that if we couldn't see the night sky, we would lose our sense of wonder, and believe anything they told us?
Um, again folks, this is satire-- at least the Baptist part of the story.
--Skippy R.
Okay ~ you're slippery science satire sneaked by my usually fine Wittenburger radar ~ it's just that you mixed it in with a great story about the Vatican and space that was true and very interesting. I'll take a little red face and thank you for that BBC link ~ keep up the good work... cheers, g
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