girlwhowaspluggedout writes:
Hoping to be a pioneer on the Red Planet? First seek permission from your local cleric. Dubai's Khaleej Times reports that the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment in the UAE has ruled that promoting or being involved in a one-way trip to Mars is prohibited by Islam. The fatwa appears to be a response to Mars One's call for volunteers to make the pioneering trip to the red planet.
According to the General Authority, 'Such a one-way journey poses a real risk to life, and that can never be justified in Islam. There is a possibility that an individual who travels to planet Mars may not be able to remain alive there, and is more vulnerable to death.' Because of the inherent dangers of the trip, those who choose to go there are likely to die for no 'righteous reason,' thus incurring 'punishment similar to that of suicide in the Hereafter.'
The Khaleej Times further states that the General Authority fears that some of the volunteers, among whom are 500 Saudis and other Arabs, may be interested in traveling to Mars to escape punishment or to avoid standing before Allah for judgment. The General Authority decreed that 'this is an absolutely baseless and unacceptable belief because not even an atom falls outside the purview of Allah, the Creator of everything.'"
[ED Note: Likening the one-way-ticket to suicide does make some theological sense, but I am saddened that the Authority does not consider space exploration a "righteous reason" to risk one's life. In times past, many great explorers hailed from Muslim societies, and were part of what made them great.]
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Boxzy on Thursday February 20 2014, @04:25PM
I've never heard a really good reason why such personal choices are bad in the first place? Is it all just about control? Slavery to a deity? What exactly is it about the ultimate expression of self determination that religious and authoritarian types cannot stand?
Go green, Go Soylent.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Sir Garlon on Thursday February 20 2014, @04:50PM
Well, taking your question at face value, I think the answer varies a bit but boils down to the belief that everyone was put on earth by the deity for a purpose. You could call that "slavery to a deity" or you could call it a duty to your fellow man, to help others, to love your brother, and to help make the world a place worth living in.
And if you reject that duty, religious teachings say, you're being a selfish asshole. ;-)
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight who is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 20 2014, @05:36PM
And the answer givers are put on earth to condemn.
(Score: 2) by Sir Garlon on Thursday February 20 2014, @06:14PM
I should add that I do not believe a just God would literally damn somebody for one mistake, especially not one that by definition can't be undone. So I respectfully disagree with the fatwa in question (IANAM).
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight who is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.