"Big universe. A lot of planets out there. Starlight traveling for hundreds of millions of years and more to reach us. "
And yet in all that space and time we are the only known life in the universe. Funny how two people take the same data and develop different opinions.
"We see other planetary systems forming. I know our system looked the same at one time."
No you assume it looked the same. Unless you have a time traveling gizmo in your pocket there is no way to "prove" your statement.
We agree that freedom to believe differently is whats great (one thing) about this country.
"And yet in all that space and time we are the only known life in the universe. Funny how two people take the same data and develop different opinions. "
We have only listened and looked for others a tiny fraction of a heartbeat of time. We are infants yet in exploring space. The tiniest of steps have been taken so far.
And yes, it is quite possible we are the only ones too. But only looking for others will bring answers.
Perhaps radio is a very primative technology. They could use something far more advanced, maybe quantum modulation or who knows what. It would be as if we were using smoke signals and they were using radio. Space is quite vast afterall. A serious search for evidence for anyone else has only just begun.
Now if the "Zagon Empire" or whatever greets us one day, and explains their religous belief that matches one of our many earth beliefs. That just might make a believer out of me. I just hope they dont greet us with an "Allah Akbar".
"No you assume it looked the same. Unless you have a time traveling gizmo in your pocket there is no way to "prove" your statement."
If I see dogs. I know there are puppies too.
Observed data of the physical world around us has never produced any evidence of complex systems of anykind simply appearing from nothing. That requires faith in supernatural forces.
"We agree that freedom to believe differently is whats great (one thing) about this country."
Agreed! Our saving grace so to speak.