Meditation: Looking Up

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19: 1

Earth’s family is blanketed by the starry comforter as we stand in wonder and awe. This is about to change. The awe of God is being replaced by the fear of men. The stars still shine brightly but many are information satellites. Recent estimates suggest there are over 3,000 satellites in use and over 6,000 pieces of space junk.

On August 31 the President authorized a new National Space Policy. It was signed late in the day on the Friday of Columbus Day weekend when there was very little press coverage. Since 1967 the Outer Space Treaty developed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union ( and later signed on to by most nations) has set space aside for peaceful purposes.

Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” program opened space to weapons but restricted weapons of mass destruction. That has been changing in recent years. According to a New York times article last year, “ (the) Air force space program, nicknamed Rods from God, aims to hurl cylinders of tungsten, titanium or uranium from the edge of space to destroy targets on the ground striking at speeds of about 7,200 miles and hour with the force of a small nuclear weapon.” This is just one of many programs being considered and developed. The most extreme are classified.

The new policy President Bush signed recently asserts that, “Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power.” It goes on to say the United States will, “develop and deploy space capabilities that sustain U.S advantage.” In essence it lays claim to space stating that the US “will oppose the development of new legal regimes or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit U.S. access to or use of space.” Under the guise of exploration the door is now open to nuclear power in space in to “enhance space exploration or operational capabilities. The use of space nuclear power systems shall be consistent with U.S. national and homeland security, and foreign policy interests.”

The earth’s natural resources have been bought and sold and are increasingly being depleted and destroyed. Even the weather is now seen as a force to be owned and controlled. Weather as a force multiplier: Owning the Weather by 2025 . The reality of the Manhattan Project was demonstrated before most Americans know it was even a possibility. The dissenting voices after the fact could not stop the technology. The reality of owing space, weaponization of space and the controlling of the universe is just beginning.

Aggressive bills will continue to be signed in secret on Friday evenings, the press will continue to be controlled by companies which are involved in weapons development and manufacture. However, we do still have a representational government with elected officials. Some will support space preservation treaties and the preserving of the heavens for peaceful purposes. We have the choice to speak out or to remain silent. Will the heavens continue to “declare the glory of God” to our grandchildren?

Prayer: We know that you have “set a tabernacle for the sun which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.” We welcome you with love and peace. Give us your simple wisdom which confounds the wise. Empower us to end the power of destruction in the heavens. Amen.

Action:
Learn more at the Union of Concerned Scientists site: http://www.ucsusa.org/global_security/space_weapons/
Make your views known to elected officials http://www.firstgov.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml