the ingredients of life.

this article in the ny times says:

Life requires at least three ingredients — water, heat and carbon-based molecules — and Enceladus may possess all three. As Cassini flew through the plumes of vapor and ice crystals rising into space from the eruptions, it also detected simple carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide, which suggest more complicated carbon molecules may lie on the moon's surface. The lack of a crater suggests that the heat is not the result of a meteor's impact. Based on initial observations, some scientists think that this warm region near the south pole may have persisted for billions of years, sufficient time for life to arise.

first of all, I swear that earlier in the day it didn't include the words 'at least'. maybe I'm just imagining things. still, I wonder why nasa isn't getting more flack for its clearly anticreationist (or, anti-intelligent-designist, if you wish) stance. children are watching the satellites with wonder and, in the process, hearing that life arises from water, heat, carbon, and billions of years. does the bible proclude life from existing (read: having been created) on other planets? a quick google search reveals the following responses to the question:

• (biblestudy.org)

  The Bible states that at least 100 million living non-human creatures exist that are not earth bound ( Revelation 5:11). Other places in the scripture indicate that the amount of non-earthly life forms are innumerable ( Hebrews 12:22). Some of these creatures have animalistic forms such as: ox, eagle, lion, while other have a more humanlike appearance. Many of them are winged with multiple eyes ( Revelation 4:6-8). These beings have many times visited the earth ( Hebrews 13:1-2). They visited the earth and met with Lot shortly before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ( Genesis 19). They talked and ate a meal with the great patriarch Abraham ( Genesis 18:1-8).

  awesome! no doubt they wanted to get some hardcore earthling action before the party was over. on the other hand...
• (christiananswers.net)

  The Bible does not teach that intelligent life exists elsewhere in our universe. Although our all-powerful God could have created such life had He desired, it seems rather obvious from Scripture that He did not. The timetable for this present universe is measured by God's dealings with us. It appears that God has created the human race, on the planet called Earth, as the sole beneficiary of His fellowship. This fellowship is of such a unique design that we are told that God's only true extra-terrestrial creations -- angels -- are eager to observe it in action. It is our privilege to be the center of attention in our vast and wonder-filled universe.

yea, the mark of a good religion is that its teachings can be interpreted to suit whatever conclusions you're looking for. if I recall correctly, in jainism one of the tirtankara is said to have lived, and achieved enlightenment, on another planet. scientology aside, that's probably the only religion that specifically asserts life of an equal nature to ours on other planets.