Did life come into existence by chance? Does life exist only on Earth? Is life a natural consequence of the formation of the stars? Are we beginning to be able to look over God's shoulder? 10 to 20 billion years ago, the Milky Way consisted only of hydrogen and helium. Since then, matter has become increasingly complex, culminating in the highly organized form of matter, which we call life. The stars first produced the elements, which contain the macromolecules of life. Thus, the evolution of life began in the great furnace of the stars. When the solar system was first formed, a chaotic cloud of gas and dust combined and eventually evolved into Earth and the incredible miracle, which we call life. Was it merely a natural consequence of the formation of the stars and the self-organization of matter? Does it have a purpose? Did it also exist on Mars, which once had turbulent rivers and oceans like on Earth, or is life unique to our planet?
(From the book: "Science or God?" ("Videnskaben eller Gud?") edited by Bent Raymond Joergensen and Uffe Graae Joergensen)