Mars One - would you go

[PhuturePriest]

canada is tough, true but not like Mars. 

On Mars all the oxygen is stored in cylinders. And if you take your hat off your head will explode but it would make no sound because of the vacuum of space. And if someone punches you hard enough you will potentially go floating into space, but you won't starve to death as you float away because again all the oxygen is in cylinders so you will suffocate long before you miss a meal. 

The space suits all look the same so from a distance how will you know whether the person up ahead is a blowhard you want to avoid? If you're walking around outside.

All problems Canadians have finally eliminated in their own environment in the last few years through the magic of American technology. 

although I suppose death is inevitable regardless of location, I feels you. I'm also of the opinion that the stress of being isolated off planet would likely lead to quite a bit of violence amongst the colonists... And no police station to run away to. Or friendly natives to go live with. Previous poster is correct that the only environment to rival it for hostility is the sea...

The sense of absolute isolation and helplessness would be overwhelming.

For that reason, suicide and depression are very risky factors in something like this.

[MarysLittleFlower]

why would exploration or scientific pursuits necessarily interfere with growing in holiness?? 

This is different from being a scientist or explorer. Its leaving the planet God placed us on, going somewhere with no Mass, no Sacraments, ...I just don't get it. I wouldn't go. Its not like exploring a new continent where you can bring a priest and start a new Christian land, like the American settlers did. Here its guaranteed dying without the Sacraments. 

 

Edited October 18, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower

[Lilllabettt]

This is different from being a scientist or explorer. Its leaving the planet God placed us on, going somewhere with no Mass, no Sacraments, ...I just don't get it. I wouldn't go. Its not like exploring a new continent where you can bring a priest and start a new Christian land, like the American settlers did. Here its guaranteed dying without the Sacraments. 

 

um, its pretty much exactly like exploring a new continent.

priests are humans as far as I know; idk why one couldn't become an astronaut.

why do you think you're guaranteed to die without the sacraments? You know it takes 7 years to get there. IDK you're like 30 right? same. I plan (plan but don't expect) to live another 40 or so. I guess if you went to Mars without a priest there's a good chance you might die without the sacraments. But i think you're being a little bit dramatic saying its "guaranteed."

its fine if you wouldn't want to go, i guess most people wouldn't. its the missionary drive.

I say if we are going to establish a civilization on mars and the universe, let it be founded by Christians. American Christians awww yeah. first we conquered the moon, next stop the red planet. 

but for serious its a worthwhile undertaking for God's sake - requiring daring and bravery in the name of Christ. 

[PhuturePriest]

um, its pretty much exactly like exploring a new continent.

priests are humans as far as I know; idk why one couldn't become an astronaut.

why do you think you're guaranteed to die without the sacraments? You know it takes 7 years to get there. IDK you're like 30 right? same. I plan (plan but don't expect) to live another 40 or so. I guess if you went to Mars without a priest there's a good chance you might die without the sacraments. But i think you're being a little bit dramatic saying its "guaranteed."

its fine if you wouldn't want to go, i guess most people wouldn't. its the missionary drive.

I say if we are going to establish a civilization on mars and the universe, let it be founded by Christians. American Christians awww yeah. first we conquered the moon, next stop the red planet. 

but for serious its a worthwhile undertaking for God's sake - requiring daring and bravery in the name of Christ. 

I honestly don't see how going to Mars just because we can is the "missionary spirit". We're not evangelizing anyone, and the people going there have a great risk of death.

Maybe the adventurous spirit and even the daredevil spirit, but calling it a missionary spirit is doing an injustice to people who went to places they didn't want to knowing they would probably die for the sake of saving souls. This is just a trip for the funsies 'cause 'Murica.

Not exactly equal in importance or dignity.

[Lilllabettt]

idk i don't think its a competition. like, far be it from me to decide which things are more important and dignified. Maybe there's an old lady in Brooklyn saying a Hail Mary this very instant, and it could be the greatest most consequential act of heroism in the last thousand years. God knows. So on that I would check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Making sure that the first Martian civilization has Catholic representation seems a dignified mission to me. Making sure the arrival of humanity on extraterrestrial soil includes the arrival of Christianity ... yeah put me down.

Imagine being the first person to bring prayer and worship of the one true God ... to Mars. Wow.

[Not The Philosopher]

Indeed, the first religious order to arrive would have bragging rights for centuries.

[PhuturePriest]

idk i don't think its a competition. like, far be it from me to decide which things are more important and dignified. Maybe there's an old lady in Brooklyn saying a Hail Mary this very instant, and it could be the greatest most consequential act of heroism in the last thousand years. God knows. So on that I would check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Making sure that the first Martian civilization has Catholic representation seems a dignified mission to me. Making sure the arrival of humanity on extraterrestrial soil includes the arrival of Christianity ... yeah put me down.

Imagine being the first person to bring prayer and worship of the one true God ... to Mars. Wow.

I don't think it's a prideful or magnanimous statement to say that Saint Isaac Jogue's mission to America was more important than a mission to a planet with no known life whose mission is not even for evangelization purposes. It's certainly a commendable mission, and I would certainly not have the stomach for it, but salvation is always more important than scientific discovery.

[Not The Philosopher]

I think what Lillallillalillabett is trying to say is that sooner or later someone is going to colonize Mars, and that having a Catholic presence in that colony is better than not.

We can debate the accuracy of the first clause, but the second seems obvious.

[Lilllabettt]

I don't think it's a prideful or magnanimous statement to say that Saint Isaac Jogue's mission to America was more important than a mission to a planet with no known life whose mission is not even for evangelization purposes. It's certainly a commendable mission, and I would certainly not have the stomach for it, but salvation is always more important than scientific discovery.

that word, magnanimous. i don't think it means what you think it means.

I think what Lillallillalillabett is trying to say is that sooner or later someone is going to colonize Mars, and that having a Catholic presence in that colony is better than not.

We can debate the accuracy of the first clause, but the second seems obvious.

yes

early bird gets the worm when it comes to setting up civilization.

[MIKolbe]

Could I volunteer some in-laws?

[Winchester]

I will stay home and comfort your womenfolk.

[MarysLittleFlower]

PhuturePriest basically said what I was trying to say too. There's no one to evangelise on Mars. As for starting a civilization there... Not sure there either. In our fallen state, are we sure we want to colonize other planets? And Mars was clearly not meant for human life - minus 28 C temperature and no breathable air. Earth was designed for us. I'd rather stay here to concentrate on working out my salvation and living my vocation. Any vocation would be barely possible on Mars because of the conditions - and I don't think they'd be allowed to have children, for the married people. It just doesn't seem exactly like earth exploration. Also - I don't think these people would be coming back from what I read. There's only enough for one way journey. So if you come without a priest, I don't think there's any way to have the Sacraments ever. So far no priest has volunteered and I think there's more work for them on earth - priests are not scientists. Even if there was hope of this in the future, why would I deprive myself of the Blessed Sacrament for years just for science? The only way I would do that is it wasn't my own choice but circumstance. Having Communion is infinitely more important than any worldly pursuit IMO. 

Edited October 19, 2015 by MarysLittleFlower

[Amppax]

There's no one to evangelise on Mars. 

How about the other people that go? 

And Mars was clearly not meant for human life - minus 28 C temperature and no breathable air.  

Meh, there's plenty of places on earth that are inhospitable, hasn't proved to be an absolute dealbreaker yet, this is just a more extreme version.

So far no priest has volunteered and I think there's more work for them on earth - priests are not scientists. Even if there was hope of this in the future, why would I deprive myself of the Blessed Sacrament for years just for science? The only way I would do that is it wasn't my own choice but circumstance. Having Communion is infinitely more important than any scientific pursuit IMO.

There are priests who are scientists. Vatican Observatory anyone? Certainly I agree with you, sacraments over science, but I'm not necessarily convinced that one has to be sacrificed for the other.  

[Maggyie]

PhuturePriest basically said what I was trying to say too. There's no one to evangelise on Mars. As for starting a civilization there... Not sure there either. In our fallen state, are we sure we want to colonize other planets? And Mars was clearly not meant for human life - minus 28 C temperature and no breathable air. Earth was designed for us. I'd rather stay here to concentrate on working out my salvation and living my vocation. Any vocation would be barely possible on Mars because of the conditions - and I don't think they'd be allowed to have children, for the married people. It just doesn't seem exactly like earth exploration. Also - I don't think these people would be coming back from what I read. There's only enough for one way journey. So if you come without a priest, I don't think there's any way to have the Sacraments ever. So far no priest has volunteered and I think there's more work for them on earth - priests are not scientists. Even if there was hope of this in the future, why would I deprive myself of the Blessed Sacrament for years just for science? The only way I would do that is it wasn't my own choice but circumstance. Having Communion is infinitely more important than any worldly pursuit IMO. 

The only way there wouldn't be people to evangelize on Mars would be if all the people who go are already Christian Catholics. Right. 

[blazeingstar]

Ermmmm...priests are not scientists?  Haven't there been many very famious priest-scientists?  Maybe most priests aren't scientists but there are still some....I'd say especally among those in religious orders.  I know a diocean priest who's was considered a late vocation and did some notable engineering work on some electronics for planes that are an integral part of safety today  (he was an engineer for 30 years before becoming a priest).  I've know many of those Bronx priests to also be extremely well educated in the sciences.

As other posters pointed out, there's way more inhospitable places.  -28c is a fairly balmy -18F....which if we excluded all places that got that cold, there'd be no one north of the mason-dixon line.  There's places in Canada where people live that only get up to the 30's and 40's during summer.  Mars technically has better weather than that.

God has obviously given us the ability to reach this place and perhaps develop an atmosphere and enable a true colony.  Those people will still need God.