Contact: Signal heard

Suppose just for the moment that somewhere on Earth a signal is being heard. That's right a signal. A scientist has heard something;something that had never been received before. That scientist contacts others and these other scientists tune their instruments into the same coordinates. They too, hear that same signal. Excitement runs rampant as they collect data from the signal and correlate its direction. They begin working on deciphering the signal; discovering that it is based upon mathematical design. What then? For those who have watched the 1997 film, Contact, starring Jody Foster you already know this tale. If you've read Carl Sagan's novel of the same title you know it as well. The actions are pretty much realistic as to what humanity would do if a signal was heard from space. Military would want to take control and be placed on alert. Extreme religious zealots would do everything in their power to make sure contact with aliens would not occur. Politicians would argue over how to use the message and capitalists would do everything the could to make profit from it. But there is one particular scenario I find very interesting. You see, only one human can take the journey in the machine that the countries of the world build together. That's right; out of the 7,041,653,526 individuals on this Earth only one can journey to where the signal comes from. How in the world do you decide? Well, in the story a committee is compiled and then a list of 10 candidates is made. Still think about that figure. 10 out of over 7 billion people. Here's the interesting question which was asked to Jody Foster's character : "Do you believe in God"? That's the question that will guide the committee to make its decision. Seems rather strange doesn't it? The candidates for this experience are asked if they are spiritual. Why? Was my first reaction. It may be yours ad well. Why would believing in a God or being spiritual have any bearing on this quest? Then I realized the answer just before it was revealed in the film. 95% of the Earth's human population have some spiritual or faith. That leaves only 5% who sk not. For many sending someone with no faith is akin to ignoring the reactions of melting ice cream in a cone. Yet, it is this question which haunts me. How could you choose a representative from all the different religions...but this is what must be remembered.it wasn't what religion; it was are you spiritual? That makes it a esteeming factor. I won't give out any more about the film; but I do leave one thought; if this scenario were true, who would you want to go on the journey? What qualifications would you seek for the person who would represent all of Earth to beings of another world? Its quite a thought isn't it?