PARISH CLERGY are well used to talk of “five year plans” these days. There are “mission plans” and “growth action plans” – all sorts of short-term second-guessing – but not usually quite as far-out as the stars. Today, though, I’ve been pondering Stephen Hawking’s continuing prediction that “humans will be living on Mars by the end of the century”.
Reports from Diocesan Synod speak of the counsel “we must move slowly and carefully on the subject of gay marriage” (surprise, surprise) – and I’m lost in reverie: how might Anglican perspectives change should the CofE find itself placed on a High Street on Mars? Will we still need a diocesan synod? What will our work, rest and play look like? I wonder if we’ll have grown up a bit?
Stephen Hawking has predicted that humans will be living on Mars by the end of the century. The physicist claimed that the human race needed a “plan B” as the world struggled to balance finite resources with the demands of a rapidly expanding population.
Hannah Devlin, Science Editor, The Times, published at 12:01AM, March 14 2014