What impact would the discovery of ET life have on religious beliefs?
- Thread starter GreenBeret
- Start date
You are such a troll james, get out and never come back!
Someone might percive that comment as a personal attack, but then they'll see your sig and realize its 100% about me :P
Someone might percive that comment as a personal attack, but then they'll see your sig and realize its 100% about me :P
I cannot speak for religions as a whole, but as far as I am concerned, I am not conceited enough to say God made us, and then stopped. I am sure there is something much better out there than we turned out.....
So...are humans the alpha or beta version? Or perhaps the Service Pack version? Maybe the 'alternative' lifeform? (I think we're long overdue for a hard reboot. 
)
Most religions would be completely disrupted by the discovery of ET's. The orthodox religions would have a hard time recovering, but probably would eventually. The more enlightened religions would be able to integrate it pretty easily. The hardcore religious right in America would claim they were from the devil and try to prevent anyone talking to them or learning from them (the 'new apple tree'). Cults would spring up worshipping them.
Eventually, anyone maintaining a religion based around deities would look at ET's as simply another form of life created by the same God or gods. THE God of Christianity never appears to humans directly, and even if He did he could take whatever form He wanted. Jesus was in the form of a man so that we would accept Him and learn from Him. The aliens would probably have similar religion, if any, and would have to integrate our existance into it as well, probably in a similar way.
Meeting aliens would be a lot different than the petty wars between Earthly religions. With wars between humans, it's just both sides thinking the other side is wrong about God. With aliens...kind of hard to argue that there's an alien there, so you have to make YOUR religion integrate that; you can't just claim the alien isn't there or is 'wrong' (though some will claim they're faked by the governments). Of course once humans met aliens we'd start trying to convert them to our religions.
More 'nature-based' religions would probably have a much easier time of it. Aliens are just another feature of the universe, no need to explain them (or explain them away, as the case may be). They just exist, you don't have to reconcile them with the 'good book' you've based your life on.
)Most religions would be completely disrupted by the discovery of ET's. The orthodox religions would have a hard time recovering, but probably would eventually. The more enlightened religions would be able to integrate it pretty easily. The hardcore religious right in America would claim they were from the devil and try to prevent anyone talking to them or learning from them (the 'new apple tree'). Cults would spring up worshipping them.
Eventually, anyone maintaining a religion based around deities would look at ET's as simply another form of life created by the same God or gods. THE God of Christianity never appears to humans directly, and even if He did he could take whatever form He wanted. Jesus was in the form of a man so that we would accept Him and learn from Him. The aliens would probably have similar religion, if any, and would have to integrate our existance into it as well, probably in a similar way.
Meeting aliens would be a lot different than the petty wars between Earthly religions. With wars between humans, it's just both sides thinking the other side is wrong about God. With aliens...kind of hard to argue that there's an alien there, so you have to make YOUR religion integrate that; you can't just claim the alien isn't there or is 'wrong' (though some will claim they're faked by the governments). Of course once humans met aliens we'd start trying to convert them to our religions.
More 'nature-based' religions would probably have a much easier time of it. Aliens are just another feature of the universe, no need to explain them (or explain them away, as the case may be). They just exist, you don't have to reconcile them with the 'good book' you've based your life on.
- Oct 28, 1999
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Well, I'd point and laugh for starters. But besides that, you'd have some prick missionaries trying their damnedest to convert the alien in to thier ways, just like they've done to all other "non-believing" cultures in the past 500 years.
This in turn would infuriate the aliens, who with their advanced intellect know better, and then the aliens would probably end up killing all man kind.
Yay!
This in turn would infuriate the aliens, who with their advanced intellect know better, and then the aliens would probably end up killing all man kind.
Yay!
Me and a friend had this discussion once. Basically, the discovery of alien life doesn't remove the possibility of God existing. Like GirlFriday said, who is to say that God stopped at us? Or even started with us? The problem with religion is that it has always been tainted with man's vanity. A few examples: everything revolves around the earth, man created in God's image, and God being perfect. God must be perfect because he created man and only a perfect being could create something so wondrous. There is no alien life because why would God create more life somewhere else when he succeeded with us? Human kind has shown time and time again that we are hardly perfect, and that we hardly adhere to God's so called teachings. Personally, I kind of think that if there is a God, then he put life all over the place. Assuming He created everything, why create a Universe and not fill it? Even if everything comes down to physics and the Universe dies as the last star fades away, who is to say that God didn't want it that way?
So, in the end, while the discovery of ET life might have an effect on the specifics of each religion, it would hardly shatter the faith of the devout or change the overall teachings of each religion.
edit: i'm a part-time agnostic, part-time catholic.
So, in the end, while the discovery of ET life might have an effect on the specifics of each religion, it would hardly shatter the faith of the devout or change the overall teachings of each religion.
edit: i'm a part-time agnostic, part-time catholic.
Alright, so first the 'universe revolves around us' ...the earth is the center of the world, the sun goes around it. Ok, so maybe it's not true, but hey, we're still god's favorite creation, right? Yeah right, we're his (or her) favorite, yet we're stuck in our damn solar system while he gave these ETs technology to travel long distances.
It would probably add another contradiction to the long list of those which already exist in christianity, and seeing as how the fact that they reached us would mean that they are most likely superior, we'd probably take on whatever religion (or lack thereof) that they had.
It would probably add another contradiction to the long list of those which already exist in christianity, and seeing as how the fact that they reached us would mean that they are most likely superior, we'd probably take on whatever religion (or lack thereof) that they had.
Interesting thus far. Just bumping this to the top so other minds have an opportunity to contribute.
i think God is like a newbie playing The Sims. He can only control "one family," and that "family" is earth. ahahhah
i don't konw what i'm talking abuot.
i don't konw what i'm talking abuot.
i think most religions would expand to include them. *shrugs* If they are bipedal and are in a general similar appearnce to ourselves, then the concept of creating 'man' in his imagine could still apply.
If god (chritain) created all things (the universe) then he would have also created E.T. life forms.
I would be interested to know if E.T. life forms have 'religion', and see if it is based on a higher power creating all things.
If god (chritain) created all things (the universe) then he would have also created E.T. life forms.
I would be interested to know if E.T. life forms have 'religion', and see if it is based on a higher power creating all things.
<< i think God is like a newbie playing The Sims. He can only control "one family," and that "family" is earth. ahahhah >>
yes.. The Sims.. but you don't see a big screen tv popping up in my living room (poof!) just like that
The religion I subscribe to (Thervada Bhuddism minus all mention of god, afterlife, etc), would be fine if aliens appear. If they removed human suffering and hatred, that would pretty much render my religion obslete though.
------
RaDragon,
you're god/Sim player probably just doesn't like you. Are you advancing your career at a fast rate? Keeping yourself groomed? Feeding yourself? Don't get in the pool, or the ladder may disappear and you'll drown.
------
RaDragon,
you're god/Sim player probably just doesn't like you. Are you advancing your career at a fast rate? Keeping yourself groomed? Feeding yourself? Don't get in the pool, or the ladder may disappear and you'll drown.
Hi all,
##Controlled Singularity
#TECH27
Some would ask, how could a perfect God create a universe filled
with so much that is evil. They have missed a greater conundrum:
why would a perfect God create a universe at all?
^
^ -- Sister Miriam Godwinson,
^ "But for the Grace of God"
I believe that there are other races out there. We are arrogant to assume that God would have made the whole universe for us and that we are the only race.
##Controlled Singularity
#TECH27
Some would ask, how could a perfect God create a universe filled
with so much that is evil. They have missed a greater conundrum:
why would a perfect God create a universe at all?
^
^ -- Sister Miriam Godwinson,
^ "But for the Grace of God"
I believe that there are other races out there. We are arrogant to assume that God would have made the whole universe for us and that we are the only race.
sandorski
No Lifer
- Oct 10, 1999
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I think most religions would cope and adapt. Though many have had misconceptions in the past, they have adapted and are still here.
Just a comment on "in His image". This doesn't mean that God is a bi-ped, 2 eyed, 2 eared, 10 finger being. It pertains to the spiritual nature of man, not the physical.
Just a comment on "in His image". This doesn't mean that God is a bi-ped, 2 eyed, 2 eared, 10 finger being. It pertains to the spiritual nature of man, not the physical.
sandorski
That may be your enterpratation of "in his image" but some may disagree with you. I know of at least 11 million who would disagree right off the top of my head and that same 11 million would have no problem with accepting the idea of ET's. They decided that was a possibility long long ago and it fits right in with whatever God's plans are.
It seems to be enough right now just taking care of our own problems that we need not be concerned of His other works.
That may be your enterpratation of "in his image" but some may disagree with you. I know of at least 11 million who would disagree right off the top of my head and that same 11 million would have no problem with accepting the idea of ET's. They decided that was a possibility long long ago and it fits right in with whatever God's plans are.
It seems to be enough right now just taking care of our own problems that we need not be concerned of His other works.
I don't know if I agree with that statement about God maybe not stopping after he created humans. Don't you think that it would be written in the Bible about more of his creations? Bible revision: on the mid evening of the 8th day, God decided to create something besides life on earth.
sandorski
No Lifer
- Oct 10, 1999
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Tripleshot: Not just my interpretation, but the accepted interpretation of most biblical scholars. In fact, I've never even heard of it used in the way that some in this thread are using it, until this thread anyways.
BillDragon: What use would it be to have known about other life? Perhaps other life was created simultaneously and not in an order as suggested in this thread. Besides, the scripture is not a journal of God's work, or a scientific explanation of things, it is meant as a guide containing moral truths and examples of those truths in action and, quite often, not in action. I'll probably catch flak for that view, but ah well.
BillDragon: What use would it be to have known about other life? Perhaps other life was created simultaneously and not in an order as suggested in this thread. Besides, the scripture is not a journal of God's work, or a scientific explanation of things, it is meant as a guide containing moral truths and examples of those truths in action and, quite often, not in action. I'll probably catch flak for that view, but ah well.
Well, I don't see how exactly that holds up to the old testiment telling about the creation of earth. Didn't realize someone was keeping records. Was it really that important to tell us that he rested? Would seem more important to tell us of all of God's creations and possibly if some of these creations were very similar to us.
Remember the TV movie "V" and subsequent weekly installments? It's clear if ET finds us he will eat us. And that damn SETI keeps unzipping earth by sending all those damn signals! I don't want spend eternity digesting in ET's stomach!
Of course from my perspective, and I know God has a sense of humor, that He put some alien artifacts on other planets etc. to play with us.
One day we will eventually find some ancient alien writing on a planet, and after years of research we will translate it. What will it translate to? The Bible. I seriously think God would do that. Imagine how excited the Athiests would be to prove God didn't exist, because we found proof of intelligent life off earth. Only to have it turn in thier face and prove without doubt that God is read and the Bible is the Truth.
Its 3AM and i am tired.
One day we will eventually find some ancient alien writing on a planet, and after years of research we will translate it. What will it translate to? The Bible. I seriously think God would do that. Imagine how excited the Athiests would be to prove God didn't exist, because we found proof of intelligent life off earth. Only to have it turn in thier face and prove without doubt that God is read and the Bible is the Truth.
Its 3AM and i am tired.
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