July 19, 1998
It has been a year since this site came to be. I am quite proud of how this place turned out, but not because of anything I have said. Many times I have felt like a little leaguer playing in the major leagues. I feel great gratitude for everything that has been said here. I also feel obligated to keep this site alive for as long as I can. I value the information that is here, probably more than anyone else does, but I don't expect to keep this AOL account forever.
OK, enough of that. Let me spit out some more personal opinion:
Recently I had a brief email discussion with someone who disagrees with my views. I have been accused of not being skeptical enough. You know, a year ago I did not even know what a skeptic was. I thought I did, but looking back I can see how much I didn't know about skepticism. That guy is right, I am not as skeptical as I could be. I think an honest to goodness true skeptic would have to be an agnostic. What do you think? Can a person be religious and still keep an open mind? Can a religious person be truly skeptical?
I don't mean to change the subject. The May through July discussion was a good one, please feel free to add to that.
Aug 8, 1998
The movie had a major impact on my views of religion. I do not buy
into the idea the movie is about Christian bashing. The scene in
which Ellie is on trial is important to this idea. She admits she has
no proof to back up what she knows with all her being actually
happened. She looks directly at Palmer, for those who were missing
point. At this point, I realized that there is faith in science and
in religion. Scientist do not know wormholes exist, but they believe
they do. It is this kind of faith that enables them to keep looking
for proof, for evidence that wormholes exist. People do not spend
their entire lives trying to prove something they think is correct.
This movie brings together science and religion. Anyone who misses
that misses the message of the movie.
Aug 8, 1998
Thank you Fancy. I agree with you. The movie is not dead yet. It has been showing on
HBO and the video was released for purchase just a couple of months ago. It's nice to see
signs of life here again, but the break has been OK too.
Aug 11, 1998
What is religion? It seems to me that it's just a comfort tool, something for insecure people to fall back on in times of need. I think that people need to leave religions behind as they have their teddy bears or blankies.
Aug 13, 1998
Terry, That's a rather naive perspective. You have to consider the fact that even if you don't think there is a god, if we're you're alone, religion is still useful. Did you know that churches make up the majority of charities in the United States? Do you really think they should just stop and leave those less fortunate to fend for themselves simply because you think they are leaning on a crutch? Of course, whether or not it will always be useful is something only time can tell. But I'm sure a vast majority of the population would agree that, at present, it is very useful to society indeed, for far more reasons than simply providing for the poor. And that's not to say that it can't be harmful either. It can, and it HAS. By the way, are you saying that religion is to humanity as teddy bears are to children? Hmmm that's an interesting analogy, but, like I said, I doubt the rest of the "children" of the world would agree. And it's quite convenient too, considering we'll never be around long enough for time to tell, for adolescence to take hold of humanity.
Aug 29, 1998
I am a Christian, and I was in no way offended by CONTACT! As a matter of fact, I LOVE it! I do not think it was intended to be a Christian-bashing movie, and I feel it has done alot for getting people to think about the possibilities of God's existence! As for Palmer Joss jumping into bed with Ellie, well...that's Hollywood and I think it was an attempt to keep him from looking like a fanatical geek (misguided, though, it may have been). And the crazy-bomber was just that: Crazy! I do not associate myself or any other Christians I know with individuals like that, and I don't believe a truly intelligent atheist would actually consider that character to be a true portrayal of Christians. So, again, I was not offended. The truth is that there are disturbed people who do things in the name of God, but they are not the real thing!
Ellie's speech during the inquiry at the end was incredible! That was my favorite part! After all her skepticism and questioning, she finally came to an understanding of what it means to have faith. She may not have discovered God (yet), but she gets it! At that moment, you can see and hear that she finally realizes what Palmer has been trying to explain to her each time they meet! She KNOWS what happened was REAL, and she KNOWS that she was touched emotionally and profoundly! But she has no physical proof to share with the people, only her word! Only her testimony! I was very touched by this scene. In keeping with her character, she had to concede that from a "scientific" point of view, it may have all been an halucination. However, she still BELIEVES, and that memory will be with her for the rest of her life! She spoke about wishing she could share her experience with everyone. I know that feeling! There have been times I have felt the presence God and I couldn't even put it into words for people to understand. It's just something you have to experience for yourself! And if I may indulge in a little poetic/literary license for a moment...I don't think this story is finished yet! A seed has been planted in Ellie's soul. Palmer believes her, and I think by his example she may be open to more possiblities of the unknown...namely God. (I don't think it's purely coinsidental that their paths crossed again after Arecibo.) That is probably not what Carl Sagan had in mind for Ellie, but it is my interpretation of events. Granted, it is an interpretation from a Christian point of view, but it is how the movie affected me. I'm sorry so many other believers chose to close their minds to this wonderful film!
As to whether or not science and religion can co-exist: There's no doubt in my mind! They DO! They don't exist APART! As I see it, God made science! He put it all out there! And He gave us the knowledge to discover it and explore it! Some may wonder then, why don't all scientists believe in God or the creation theory? Well, it's a little gift called "free-will". We have been given a chance to come to our own conclusions and find out for ourselves what the truth is! God is not a puppet-master! What good would it be to follow a god that forced you to worship him? There would be no joy in that! So, we continue to search for truth and for the proof of it's existence. What if the only Truth is something for which we have no physical proof? Just a thought...
Well, there you have my views of science, religion, and the great film CONTACT! Agree or disagree, it's up to you. Just remember to search for Truth!
Aug 31, 1998
You should be careful with the use of the word atheist. Atheisim is a religion based on the lack of any supreme being. I think the word you are look for is agnostic.
Sep 12, 1998
How is it possible that blind chance (a key element in the theory of evolution) is responsible for the existence of life on this planet? So much of life is so incredibly complex as to defy human understanding. Even the most brilliant research scientists have not been able to create life in the laboratory (sorry amino acids are not life) and even if they were to have just created some life form life has already been in existence for (by some accounts) millions of years. If life originated from a blind chance event that means that blind chance is smarter than the most brilliant research scientist that ever lived.
Sep 15, 1998
I have read the thoughts on this page, here are mine:
As of today, I have only discovered one
friend/relative/colleague who thought that the movie
‘Contact’ was in any way shape or form interesting or
important. I have watched this movie about 5 or 6 times.
I am very moved by the topic and understood
immediately that this was about the development of the
human species (towards perfection) as well as a personal
spiritual awakening of the main character (Though she does
not realize it) Her transformation begins as she gazes at the
celestial event "no words.. no words!" - hardly scientific- very spiritual.
None of my friends got this. They
thought it was about ‘aliens’. Pleasant entertainment but
dismissible.
In the movie, the tension between science and religion is
addressed constantly. This is played between the
atheistic Ellie and her love interest who seeks spiritual
values in a world supposedly empty of them. Some say
that when science and religion reach the top of the
mountain, they will see each other mirrored on the
opposite side. Either way, they seek to reveal ultimately,
what is unknowable. I wish to pass on to you my
thoughts on the subject. You may reply if you wish.
If you think about it long enough, you will realize that
the attainment of complete knowledge (reaching the
mountaintop) would imply a state of complete technical
knowledge and complete spiritual enlightenment. Life,
however, (as we know it) is not possible in such a state.
In the case of technical perfection here is an example: If
one were delivered in such a state today they might fancy
to travel faster from one place to another. Perfection
implies an ability to move from place to place by
transport yet imagined. Perfection would imply also
knowledge of how to instantaneously move and to be in
several places at the same time. Perfection allows for the
multiple consciousness’ required of such condition, etc.
etc. Indeed, whatever you might imagine constantly
removes you from the reality we are accustomed to.
Such a state followed to it’s logical conclusions in a
variety of areas becomes absurd for the experience of life
as we know it. Indeed, it is indistinguishable from our
descriptions of God.
Therefore to be human, we must be removed from
perfection (from Eden, if you will) or a state of ‘grace’
and cast out (of the garden). To be human, is to struggle
eternally from a state of ignorance towards perfection.
Attainment, is ‘game over’ for humanity.
The ‘alien’ Ellie meets in ‘Contact’ asserts this truth
and reveals it’s simpatico for the human condition by
indicating that it’s knowledge is limited as well. (When
it explains to Ellie that they themselves do not know who
built the transport she has arrived in or where they have
gone to. )
Luckily, (it is my belief) we have little to worry about
in attaining such goals of perfection.We will never reach
the mountaintop and thus we will perpetuate the
‘experience’ of life. Our definition of human should
never include ‘being’ God, or a part thereof, but instead
to be made as shadows or reflections of divinity. The
Old Testament proclamation of man created ‘in god’s
image’ is closer than we imagine.
Upon creation, each person and humanity as a whole,
will always feel that desperate longing to reunite with the
source of our reflection. Whether through religion or science, It is important that we never
arrive. If we live; we struggle to achieve and thus we
have already arrived ......for the human condition.
Sep 21, 1998
I find it rather disterbing to see how people react so harshly about things they have absolutely no knowledge of. Also the way people nowadays have totally lost all connections with their savior and obviously themselves, for once you have the fealing of the Holy Ghost with you, then and only then can you start to realize where you fit into this world, planet, and galaxy. As for intelligent life on other planets, lets hope so for our sakes, because it seems to me that our intelligance has been on a drastic downfall since "technology" came into play. Besides, its kind of like the book of Mormon, Not that long ago, it was (and still is being bashed around)It just seems to me people are always looking for proof, and then when you give it to them, they drive themselves, and everyone around them nuts trying to annalize why it cant possibly be. People just like to be misserable I guess, For those who don't, God Love, Bless and Keep You and Yours.For those of you whom I hope there is still hope for Search For Christ and you will find him and the peace and happieness he has planned for you since the beginning.
Sister Sarah Southwood
L.D.S. Member
Sep 22, 1998
Wow, there have been some interesting entries here, since I last looked. Including one person who stole my name.
daniel, Ellie does not in any way shape or form resemble something that looks even similar to an atheist. Ellie is an agnostic, there is a big difference. I'm glad that you got so much from the movie though, it's message is definitely complex, and I think that you were picking up on some very important aspects of it. I would like to respond to the last three entries though. Is it possible that the reason why science and religion will mirror each other as we achieve further understanding is because religion changes itself in order to continue to explain the unexplainable, while science continues to try to explain as much as possible? Many religions have already allowed for enough space to fit evolution. They do this because evolution seems so probable to them that there is no way for them to fight it. It is through this that we get many different kinds of vague multi-denominational churches. A way to believe in god without accepting large amounts of mythology in the process. (For those of you who are sitting behind the computer going, "how is evolution a possible explanation ?" please read some of the thoughts expressed on this website about Darwin and evolutionary theory, I think you'll find that it explains more than even Darwin had imagined.)
The term God is often defined as a supreme being capable of existing across time and space infinitely, our creator and the creator of all things. "God" clearly represents everything that humans strive to be, prefect in every way. I do not believe that we will ever develop the technology to become gods ourselves. This is simply an unending struggle, something that we will never attain but will always strive for. Why must this be the case you ask? Well, our creator lacks a quality that we have (never mind the fact that that statement makes our creator a non-perfect being that therefor god is not perfect and is not longer supreme), our creator is obviously happy with things the way they are. How could you not be, if you were perfect then could not get any better than you already are, so if you wanted to better yourself than you could not do so and would drive yourself crazy. Since god is perfect he or she can never go crazy and thusly must be happy with him or her self the way that he/she is (way too much political correctness in that last line). If that is the case, god lacks the desire to better himself. We will never have that, but even if we evolved it we would then lack the ability to become gods. Besides all of this we would have to evolve into creatures that were capable of existing as "god" is supposed to exist. Anyway, were do all of these ramblings lead… it isn't the goal of science to make people gods, only to gather knowledge and better understand the universe around us. It is through this pursuit that we understand our place in the universe and it is during this pursuit that we understand who we are and why we are here. It is in this, most human, mortal way, that humans can achieve peace and happiness. This isn't the case for everyone, some seek the comfort of the supernatural (that is definitely a broad term here). It is my hope that as many people can understand the "awe and humility" that comes with learning about and understanding the reality that we are all subject to.
Sep 28, 1998
From the quadrillions upon quadrillions of known stars in this universe, we can easily see how minor we are, yet how important we are to God. Whether one believes or not, it does change the truth about God and His created universe.