# Navajo Nation Object to Leaving Human Remains on Moon **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 7, 2024, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727 "2024-01-07T04:33:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/321 "2024-01-13T18:24:02Z")
Speaking of Terra Nullius, what if I wanted to blow up the Moon because it obstructs my view of Mars? What concept in international law would _that_ violate? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/322 "2024-01-13T18:34:52Z")
I’m going with no international laws apply to the moon. And since it’s not _terra_ the nullius thing don’t count either. You got the bombs, go ahead, see if you can move that thing. (I’m afraid there might be a few concerns afterwards) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/323 "2024-01-13T18:38:53Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > what if I wanted to blow up the Moon because it obstructs my view of Mars? That’s lunacy. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/324 "2024-01-13T18:43:38Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Speaking of Terra Nullius, what if I wanted to blow up the Moon because it obstructs my view of Mars? What concept in international law would _that_ violate? If you’ve got the power to blow up the moon I’d say you probably get to decide what international law is. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/325 "2024-01-13T18:53:17Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > If you’ve got the power to blow up the moon I’d say you probably get to decide what international law is. It’s like when His Holiness the High Septon had religious objections but Cersei chose violence. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/326 "2024-01-13T18:55:57Z")
Apparently the US and the USSR both thought about nuking the moon. Fortunately they both seemed to decide trying to land a man on the moon was a better use of their time. > **[Project A119](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_A119)** > > Project A119, also known as A Study of Lunar Research Flights, was a top-secret plan developed in 1958 by the United States Air Force. The aim of the project was to detonate a nuclear bomb on the Moon, which would help in answering some of the mysteries in planetary astronomy and astrogeology. If the explosive device detonated on the surface, and not in a lunar crater, the flash of explosive light would have been faintly visible to people on Earth with their naked eye. This was meant as a sho... ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/327 "2024-01-14T11:21:19Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Speaking of Terra Nullius, what if I wanted to blow up the Moon because it obstructs my view of Mars? I suggest you speak to Marvin the Martian to see how that type of thing works out. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/328 "2024-01-16T21:06:35Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I’m take it at face value that the Navajo and other groups considered the moon sacred… I don’t, at least not any more sacred than anything else. I bet they consider the earth sacred too. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/329 "2024-01-16T21:07:28Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > That’s lunacy. Don’t you mean lunacide? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/330 "2024-01-29T01:00:10Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > … then I don’t really see the difference in including some cremains Quite true. And so, logically, there would be no difference in NOT including some cremains, thus solving the problem of those who have moral objections. There’s not even any positive verification that it will actually be done as promised. In fact, the loved ones don’t even know for sure that the ashes are what they think they are, even if deposited on the moon as promised, because mix-ups have happened. I’m not inclined to support clearly counterproductive demands of the Navajo Nation on religious grounds, but this whole thing is just so stupid that it should never have happened in the first place. Let’s face it, the whole thing is a ridiculous money-making enterprise that amounts to nothing more than a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them. It’s as stupid as Ted Williams’ head in cryogenic jar. For what they’re paying they could get a decent monument here on earth that they could actually see and visit. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/331 "2024-01-29T01:27:58Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Let’s face it, the whole thing is a ridiculous money-making enterprise that amounts to nothing more than a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them. It certainly would not have made it past NASA. The famous Voyager record was nearly nixed because (1) they worried it would be viewed as a ridiculous waste of public money; and (2) the producer decided to write “To the makers of music — all worlds, all times” on it, and the out-of-spec inscription was definitely not getting past the quality-control officer. Carl Sagan had to personally intervene with the NASA administration. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/332 "2024-01-29T01:40:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Quite true. And so, logically, there would be no difference in NOT including some cremains, thus solving the problem of those who have moral objections. What? You responded to such a tiny snippet of a sentence with whay seems to be a non-sequitor. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Let’s face it, the whole thing is a ridiculous money-making enterprise that amounts to nothing more than a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them. In what way? Is burying a body in the ground “a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them”? They aren’t being told that the cremains’ prior owner will get to live on the moon served by moonpeople servants for eternity. How is this different from any other body disposal method? I agree that it’s a waste of money; I also think embalming and fancy coffins are wastes of money. That doesn’t mean they are > [@wolfpup](#): > > a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/333 "2024-01-29T01:55:03Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Let’s face it, the whole thing is a ridiculous money-making enterprise that amounts to nothing more than a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them. > > In what way? Is burying a body in the ground “a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them”? Nope. It’s both a hygienic necessity, and the completion of a natural cycle. > [@Babale](#): > > How is this different from any other body disposal method? Because it’s not a “body disposal method”. It’s a promise to deposit on the moon **one freaking gram** of some substance that may or may not be from the ashes of the deceased. > [@Babale](#): > > I agree that it’s a waste of money; I also think embalming and fancy coffins are wastes of money. That doesn’t mean they are After some reasonable point, yes they are, but that’s just my opinion and is not for me to judge as long as it doesn’t infringe on any rights claimed by others or attempts to carve out extraordinary new practices. What if I paid someone $50,000 to glue a small capsule containing a bit of my former dog’s ashes to the top of the Washington monument, so that every time I looked at it, I would think of my dog? I would consider this both (a) stupid, and (b) a waste of money, and I’m also pretty sure that (c) it would not be allowed. Your opinions may differ. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/334 "2024-01-29T02:08:46Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > some substance that may or may not be from the ashes of the deceased. What reason do you have for doubting that it is in fact cremains? Or are you just spitballing reasons to oppose this? > [@wolfpup](#): > > Because it’s not a “body disposal method”. It’s a promise to deposit on the moon **one freaking gram** of some substance that may or may not be from the ashes of the deceased. And this is different from spreading ashes on a golf course or in Hawaii because… > [@wolfpup](#): > > What if I paid someone $50,000 to glue a small capsule containing a bit of my former dog’s ashes to the top of the Washington monument, so that every time I looked at it, I would think of my dog? I would consider this both (a) stupid, and (b) a waste of money, and I’m also pretty sure that (c) it would not be allowed. Your opinions may differ. The Washington Monument is a specific structure, that would be akin to putting a capsule with your ashes on one of the existing Apollo landers, which I would oppose. If you paid someone to spread your dog’s ashes deep in the woods in Yosemite National Park or something, then that is probably something that happens on a daily basis and I don’t really have a peoblem with it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/335 "2024-01-29T04:36:02Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > Let’s face it, the whole thing is a ridiculous money-making enterprise that amounts to nothing more than a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them. > > In what way? Is burying a body in the ground “a scam preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract $$$ out of them”? My father was bitter for decades that there funeral director tried to guilt him into paying for expensive funerary goods when his mother died. He was a young adult and not in a good place, and was really grateful to his then-new brother in law for telling the funeral director where to stick it. Also, my father asked to be cremated and have his ashes spread in a place meaningful to him, but with no access fees. So… Yeah, that’s definitely an element of “scam, preying on the emotions of the surviving relatives to extract money from them” in a lot of our funeral customs. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/336 "2024-01-29T05:00:15Z")
Umm. Did it succeed? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727/337 "2024-02-15T23:41:09Z")
I am totally in favor of Navajo Nation members not having their remains shot into space if they don’t want to. Non Navajos? They can decide for themselves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navajo-nation-object-to-leaving-human-remains-on-moon/995727.md?page=16)