— Ch. 1 · The Genesis Reading On Christmas Eve —
Religion in space.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
On Christmas Eve, 1968 astronauts Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, and Frank Borman read from the Book of Genesis as Apollo 8 orbited the Moon. This moment became a flashpoint for legal debate when American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair filed a lawsuit alleging government endorsement of religion in violation of the First Amendment. The case was dismissed but it set a precedent that religious observance in space would remain a contentious issue. The reading itself was broadcast to Earth, reaching millions of listeners during a time of global turmoil. It marked the first time humanity had witnessed a religious text being recited beyond the atmosphere.
Presbyterian Communion And Microfilm Bibles
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin performed a communion service for himself using a kit provided by his church while on the lunar surface. He told flight director Chris Kraft of his plans but opted not to broadcast the service at the request of Deke Slayton due to the controversy over Apollo 8's reading. A microfilm Bible brought to the Moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Ed Mitchell was auctioned off in 2011. This King James Version was created after three astronauts lost their lives in the Apollo 1 fire. Ed White one of the astronauts who perished had wanted to take a Bible to the Moon. These artifacts show how faith persisted even in the most dangerous environments.Catholic Messages And Consecrated Hosts
A signed message from Pope Paul VI was included among statements from dozens of other world leaders left on the Moon on a silicon disk during the Apollo 11 mission. Following the mission William Donald Borders Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando claimed the 1917 Code of Canon Law placed the Moon within his jurisdiction because explorers departed from Cape Kennedy under his authority. The claim was neither confirmed nor denied by the Pope and the Moon is not recognized as part of the diocese in any official capacity. Three Catholic astronauts on Space Shuttle mission STS-59 received Holy Communion on the 17th of April 1994. NASA astronaut Michael S. Hopkins took six consecrated hosts to the International Space Station in September 2013 allowing him to receive the Eucharist weekly during his 24-week mission.