What created the star that exploded?
Obviously I'm not qualified to give an appropriate answer, but it's my understanding that there are three prevailing schools of thought for this question.
The first, All matter originated from a singularity which expanded (Big Bang) due to processes beyond my capabilities of understanding utilizing advanced quantum mechanics and advanced astrophysics, which lead to an ever accelerating and expanding universe. The Higgs boson is what is believed to of given photons and matter it's initial mass, which collected into carbon, and produced unique conditions for atoms to freeze, collide, cook, stew, dilute and smash back together to create the different elements. Over time these elements settle together and bond. After a loooong time of that our observable universe is the way it is. Soo the star came from packets of energy which turned into matter via subatomic physics over an inconceivable amount of time.
The next idea is this new theory we are discussing. There has never been a beginning just as there will be no end. The past is dependent on the future, and vice versa. The content of the subject is very metaphysical, and strattles the lines of reason and fiction.
And of course, the most prevalent theory, in my opinion, creation.
You seem to be under the impression that extraterrestrial life and a belief in god are mutually exclusive. According to
Harris Interactive, 74% of Americans believe in god. According to the University of Connecticut's
Center for Survey and Research Analysis, 60% of Americans believe in extraterrestrial life. So if these estimates are accurate, at a bare minimum (and possibly much more), 34% of all Americans believe in both god and extraterrestrial life, amounting to
at least 57% of American "theologians" also believing in the existence of alien life.
which leads me into this post, I found this poll extremely interesting. However I'm still inclined to reason that a devout religious man will be more willing to deny ET (any kind of life, intelligent or non) than accept it. Simply because evolution is so highly disregarded by the religous community, it would be interesting to me to see a poll where the questions asked were: "do you believe in God", and "do you evolution played a roll in our origins". Because just as ET and a belief in God are not exactly mutual, neither should evolution and a belief in God. I've long held this idea that the both evolution and creation could tie together in some way. Is that crazy?
The discovery of life elsewhere than earth would raise into question, for myself, the wording of many scriptures, I.E most scriptures only refer to those among the earth (duh). Why leave that little detail about life on other solar bodies as earth being of his creation. Perhaps intelligent life exists somewhere, in some time out there. Are they forbidden from the Lord's eternal saving grace? I would think discovery of life outside of earth' confines would throw a huge monkey wrench into the picture the bible paints.
I don't want to come off as an atheist or even an agnostic, technically I'm an episcopalian, not exactly the best practitioner at times though. I believe religion played an incredible role as to our devolpment of social and moral constructs. Like the Ten Commandments for example, those are laws that barbarians would not live by, for humanity to move forward some sort of moral guidance had to come about. Religion also helps ease the human brain's insatiable appetite for answers. It's hard to look up in the sky and not simply ask yourself how and why. So a simple answer that seemed to solve all those questions- is God. And don't you doubt God. Or else. Or else what? Exactly. I also believe religion continues to play a grand role in the way society behaves. I Just wish men would stop giving it such a terrible wrap, and stop putting their personal goals and agendas in the way of giving guidance, console and hope for those who seek it. Also, I wish people would
stop forcing their personal beliefs onto others. To each their own, and one should respect another's choice to/not believe in who/what they want.