What would be the purpose of having this vast universe

[clydefrand]

and having only one planet with intelligent life? What would God make everything else for?

Do you believe there is intelligent life...hopefully more intelligent than some we have on this planet...elsewhere in the universe?

[Az]

1. Its interesting to know what it is that limits intelligence of humans

It seems amongst our ancestors those that gave birth to children with larger skulls experienced a higher rater of death during the birthing process. If the head was too large it would cause too much damage during the birthing process.

So yes. There could be creatures out there far more intelligent than us. Or we could be the pinacle. We will have to keep searching to find the truth.

[clydefrand]

4. Assuming there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe,

and we become aware of it with absolute proof of its existance available for all mankind to see, what impact do you think this will have upon religion (Christianity, in particular) as we know it today?

[Az]

5. Religion is much more adaptive than some would assume

There would be a miriad of reactions. Everything from outright denial to proclomation of it being evil to saved. The thing to remember is that those that believe in their faith know it is true. Whether it is or not.

[Deep13]

8. Sure

The Earth is more insignificant to the universe than a grain of sand is to a beach. Even if life is extremely rare, it must have occurred somewhere else. That does not mean we will be hearing from them anytime soon. It is likely that aliens are on such a different developmental level as we are that we would not recognize each other as intelligent life. Further, the cosmic speed limit makes communication over the unimaginable distances quite problematic. Of course, it does not mean we should not try.

The purpose to the universe is to exist, because it does. Beyond that, it was not necessary for it to have been created by any divine intervention or to have any subjective purpose beyond that.

[Digit]

2. Yes, I do.

Plus other dimensions.

[Deep13]

9. dimensions

Dimensions are measured attributes, usually pertaining to size or duration. They are not alternate universes. If someone says 'other dimensions', my thought is "you mean like depth or width?"

[wildflower]

3. I see no reason to think there isn't...

If life exists here, whether created or spontaneous, I see no reason to think it couldn't exist on other planets where conditions are favorable. The problem we have is an inability to travel relatively far within the universe to find out.

If a person follows an only earth-based faith, and not a universe-based faith, then I assume they could argue that God created life only here on Earth and nowhere else. For example, some (or all?) Christian sects. Christians here, can you tell me if this view is common to all Christian sects?

-wildflower

[LWolf]

6. Yes.

Why would we be the only spot in the infinite universe that happened to have conditions just right for the development of life?

What kind of life, how it developed, who and what else may be out there...:shrug: who knows. But I'm sure that there is life somewhere out there.

[lady lib]

7. Life springs up everywhere given half a chance

and if intelligent life could develop here (well for SOME people in the country we're still waiting on it, but that's another forum:) ), then it is very likely that it has developed throughout the universe IMHO.

[Ready4Change]

10. Two questions. My answers.

Q: If there were only one planet with intelligent life, what would God make the rest for? (paraphrased)

A: Perhaps we are a seed meant to flourish and spread throughout this universe?
A: Perhaps we are such an unlikely occurance that an entire universe was needed in order to make us a statistical likelyhood?
A: Perhaps God is wasteful?

Q: Do you believe there is intelligent life...hopefully more intelligent than some we have on this planet...elsewhere in the universe?

A: Yes, I do. I think some life is more intelligent, some less. Some is WISER, and some is less so. (I think there's a big difference between the two.)

I also think we commonly underestimate the vastness of this universe. It is vast in size AND vast in time. In it's lifetime there could have been billions of civilizations who have lived and died, with us none the wiser. There's lots of elbow room amongst these stars.