To touch the face of God: the sacred, the profane, and the American space program, 1957-1975

Abstract

beginning created heavens and earth... In 1968 world watched as Earth rose over moonscape, televised from orbiting Apollo 8 mission capsule. Radioing back to Houston on Christmas Eve, astronauts recited first ten verses from book of Genesis. In fact, many of astronauts found space flight to be a religious experience. To Touch Face of God is first book-length historical study of relationship between religion and U.S. space program. Kendrick Oliver explores role played by religious motivations in formation of space program and discusses responses of religious thinkers such as Paul Tillich and C. S. Lewis. Examining attitudes of religious Americans, Oliver finds that space program was a source of anxiety as well as inspiration. It was not always easy for them to tell whether it was a godly or godless venture. Grounded in original archival research and study of participant testimonies, this book also explores one of largest petition campaigns of post-war era. Between 1969 and 1975, more than eight million Americans wrote to NASA expressing support for prayer and bible-reading in space. Oliver's study is rigorous and detailed but also contemplative in its approach, examining larger meanings of mankind's first adventures in the heavens.