Jesus...In...Space...

[JoeyKnothead]

From the article NASA and Church / State separation

On board the shuttle is a piece of an airplane that crashed in Ecuador in 1956 that carried members of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship. One of the shuttle astronaut contacted the Idaho-based group proposing that the item be taken into space as part of a government-funded exploration project. The event has re-ignited enthusiasm by religious groups for "space missionary" proselytizing.

"This is an inappropriate and unconstitutional use of resources, "charged Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. NASA is a scientific and exploratory agency that is funded by taxpayers. Its
mission should not include religious grandstanding, or efforts to use outer space as a pulpit for religion."

Obviously there's the "much ado about nothing" angle, but given recent attempts to insert religion into "everything" my spidey senses are tingling.

Topic for debate:

Has NASA taken a giant leap for proselytizing?

[Goat]

From the article NASA and Church / State separation

On board the shuttle is a piece of an airplane that crashed in Ecuador in 1956 that carried members of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship. One of the shuttle astronaut contacted the Idaho-based group proposing that the item be taken into space as part of a government-funded exploration project. The event has re-ignited enthusiasm by religious groups for "space missionary" proselytizing.

"This is an inappropriate and unconstitutional use of resources, "charged Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. NASA is a scientific and exploratory agency that is funded by taxpayers. Its
mission should not include religious grandstanding, or efforts to use outer space as a pulpit for religion."

Obviously there's the "much ado about nothing" angle, but given recent attempts to insert religion into "everything" my spidey senses are tingling.

Topic for debate:

Has NASA taken a giant leap for proselytizing?

It has been the policy of Nasa to allow people to bring up something of personal meaning to them into space. I know a young lady that is very fond of me who wants to be an astronaut, and dreams of going to Mars.

If she goes, I would love for her to drop a mini tea pot into orbit half way to Mars.

Of course, I have a very warped sense of humor.

[JoeyKnothead]

It has been the policy of Nasa to allow people to bring up something of personal meaning to them into space. I know a young lady that is very fond of me who wants to be an astronaut, and dreams of going to Mars.

If she goes, I would love for her to drop a mini tea pot into orbit half way to Mars.

Of course, I have a very warped sense of humor.

Hilarious. We've gotta make that happen.

Warped? I'd say bent beyond all recognition

[Nilloc James]

Meh. I won't stoop to the levels of the religous right and deny any one their religous choices.

Although I love the tea pot idea.

[Skyler]

I second the teapot.

I don't think NASA's getting religious. Sentimental, maybe, but not religious.

[Homicidal_Cherry53]

I too don't see much wrong with it. It is just an astronaut bring something with personal importance with them. Plus, this could just be a way of honoring those who died in the crash with no religious intent to it.

[micatala]

All I want to know is if I'm supposed to be imagining hearing the thread title being read like the old Muppet Show segment


. . PIGS . . . IN . . . . SPAAACE

[JoeyKnothead]

All I want to know is if I'm supposed to be imagining hearing the thread title being read like the old Muppet Show segment


. . PIGS . . . IN . . . . SPAAACE

I'm actually encouraged to see folks "talk me down" from thinking this is some nefarious plot.

[Science101]

Anyone else think it's really a waste of expensive fuel?

[nukewaste]

Would it be nearly as big a deal if say, it were something of significance to a Hindu?

The separation of church and state thing is so grossly misinterpreted it's sad.