Heiser_2000_2abstr

 

 

SEVERAL THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING PLANS FOR TERRAFORMING MARS

 

The Rev. James D. Heiser, M.Div.

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

            The decision whether or not to terraform Mars is surrounded with ethical and theological questions which are at least as challenging as the technological feasibility of such an endeavor. One of the central points of concern is the potential existence of life on Mars. Determining whether such life originated on Earth or resulted from a ‘second Genesis’ on Mars will be of crucial importance for potential terraforming, as will the impact such a radical environmental change will have on Martian life.

 

            The paper will also consider the implications of Murphy and Ellis’ ethic of kenosis (On the Moral Nature of the Universe, 1996) for terraforming Mars, particularly in light of the developments in the arguments for intelligent design and evidence supporting the Anthropic Principle (Dembski, Intelligent Design, 1999; Denton, Nature’s Destiny, 1998).