space colonization and religion

Southie · April 5, 2014, 6:48pm

Re: space colonization and religion

Okay then for the sake of discussion how do we manage the pillar of hajj? How would that be reinvented? With the example of the Muslims living in the poles, they can still take a trip to Mecca if they have the financial and physical means to do so. For sure these things pose as hindrances but not impossibilities, whereas a one-way trip will make hajj an impossibility unless one performs it before embarking upon the journey.

Also, TLK, one will only take the risk of a one-way trip to some location provided that they believe there are greater benefits than cons to living there compared to where they are currently living. So, what greater benefits do you see in living not just temporarily but permanently on Mars? Throughout history, people have sought to “make it” in far and new lands believing that they could form a civilization and prosper, only to find the environment to be a brutal one. But in their case, it wasn’t a one-way trip.

The other thing that comes to my mind is that I’ve always heard that Islam doesn’t condone isolation from society. The amount of people on Mars will not compare to the vast population of people on Earth they will be leaving behind. Are we allowed to remove ourselves so far away from the ummah to the point that we cannot help/benefit them? Those living in the poles are a minority, but it’s still the same planet.

RV. Please allow me to answer ur question re greater benefirs wrt permanent settlement in MARS. At the rate we r going, sea levels could rise, the oceans are dying, plastic is killing the fish in the sea. Life as we know it will be UNSUSTAINABLE here on earth.

The critical issue, in my opinion, is not whether one can follow ones religion in Mars. The critical issue is are we going to allow our beautiful earth to be raped and pillaged.

That is why insertion of Religion in the Science section is unfortunate. And disturbing. Folks have stopped talking Science. If you scale this across humanity, we are doomed.