How would world religion react to the discovery of life elsewhere in the universe? Article in September's Atlantic Monthly poses this question. It's interesting to consider. Does discovery of alien life destroy faith or deepen it? Here's an excerpt, with the link. http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2003/09/davies.htm The world's main faiths were all founded in the pre-scientific era, when Earth was widely believed to be at the center of the universe and humankind at the pinnacle of creation. As scientific discoveries have piled up over the past 500 years, our status has been incrementally diminished. First Earth was shown to be just one planet of several orbiting the Sun. Then the solar system itself was relegated to the outer suburbs of the galaxy, and the Sun classified as an insignificant dwarf star among billions. The theory of evolution proposed that human beings occupied just a small branch on a complex evolutionary tree. This pattern continued into the twentieth century, when the supremacy of our much vaunted intelligence came under threat. Computers began to outsmart us. Now genetic engineering has raised the specter of designer babies with superintellects that leave ours far behind. And we must consider the uncomfortable possibility that in astrobiological terms, God's children may be galactic also-rans. Theologians are used to putting a brave face on such developments. Over the centuries the Christian church, for example, has time and again been forced to accommodate new scientific facts that challenge existing doctrine. But these accommodations have usually been made reluctantly and very belatedly. Only recently, for example, did the Pope acknowledge that Darwinian evolution is more than just a theory. If SETI succeeds, theologians will not have the luxury of decades of careful deliberation to assess the significance of the discovery. The impact will be instant.
I'm not sure how it would effect the Abrahamic religions, but I know that Eastern religions like Buddhism and Taoism wouldn't really have an issue with it. The Dalai Lama was once asked what he would do if science proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was no such thing as reincarnation. He said, "I guess we would adapt." If they could adapt to one of their prime spiritual beliefs being overturned, I'm assuming they could manage the discovery of little green men from Mars.
I think what would be more interesting to me is what information aliens could provide to the origin of the universe. That potentially could rip a huge hole in core religious beliefs and in effect extinguish some Earthly religions. Also, what if any religious beliefs would be held by aliens. Hmm... so interesting.
That's not something I've ever given a lot of thought to, but I think that is a great article and I enjoyed reading it immensely. I don't know how the abrahamic religions would react, because the story of the Creation infers that we are it in the universe. But mathematics has taught us that everything from the mitosis of a cell to the interactions of the stock market is at its root a complex equation. Same thing with our world. All of the variables came together to form a planet capable of sustaining life added up here, so what's to stop it from adding up somewhere else. As big as the universe is, and the fact that God is both ominipotent and infinite, we can't just be all there is out there. So I have no idea how the three Abraham-derived ones would take the discovery of another world and race created by God.
I don't think most Abraham derived religions would really have a problem with this. The bible no doubt is written for earth, but not foolish enough to believe that we are the only livable planet out there. I really do not have a belief either way. I do believe that if there are others out there, we will never have full contact with them.
Good insights, guys. I hadn't considered this much, either. Fun to think about, though. But it got me considering a related issue: is a belief in intelligent life elsewhere similar to belief in God? You can't prove either, and both are reliant on faith -- either in God or science. Religiously, I'm agnostic (I just don't know), but I *do* believe that there's intelligent life out there. Does this belief contradict itself, or are the two ideas completely independent of one another?
I think only Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation. But all Buddhists believe in rebirth. As do I.
Talk on the Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland September 21, 12:00 Noon Seating begins at 10:00am This talk is free of charge and open to all. No advanced reservations. Entrance for General Public: 90th St & 5th Avenue Walk North to East Meadow on Park Drive Last time he spoke in Central Park, over Two Hundred Thousand people showed up. I'd get there early
If God is infinite and Jesus is the son of God, he could be everywhere he needed to be. He could exist in infinite planes simultaneously. ZZ Topp said it best:
I saw him in ATL. He was very fascinating, very positive. It's kind of weird that I've seen the Dalai Lama and the Pope in the same year. Go figure.
Ah, very interesting point, BS. If God is indeed infinite in "space," he would also be infinite in "time," as well; he would transcend any human-concocted standards of the so-called space/time continuum. Also, would the alien lifeforms call Jesus "Jesus"? Or would they have a different identity for him? If so, wouldn't the "A Jesus by any other name..." idea mean that other faiths like Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, etc. are worshipping different "versions" of the same Jesus and God?
I saw Thich Nhat Hanh speak once, and his peace and compassion were almost too beautiful for me to comprehend. I imagine hearing The Dalai Lama speak would be even more powerful. I'm going to try to make it to NYC for his talk. But if 200K are gonna be there, I'd better leave now!
bammaslammer, Have you been reading Uranchia? Your quote, "that God is both omnipotent and infinite", sounds as if it is derived from the text of Uranchia. The universe as we know it, is infinite. Scientists have discovered through mathematical formulas that space is growing. But the question is; What is it growing into? Existance in any way or form is never ending. Infinity.
I can't say that I have. What books has he written? I watched a movie Pi that changed the way I looked at the universe. I'd always said that God is every bit of life that exists, but Pi gave me a possible way how. In the movie, the name of God in the Torah mathematically translated through numerology is the equation that is common to everything from cellular activities to war to the stock market. God is by his nature, a mathematical concept, the one of infinity, which is incomprehensible to us.
OK I'm not claiming to be philosophical in any way, shape, or form here, but I just wanted to post my thought: I think it's interesting how the first forms of religion revolved around light and dark - because in the light, the night predators wouldnt come and kill you off, so there must be something about the light that protected you. Then came polytheism, christianity, buddhism, etc that personified these protectors and givers of blessings and gifts. Now we are in the scientific age, where we are so close to scientifically/mathematically proving the existance/non-existance of a higher being, depending on to whom you talk. Imagine someone/thing from another planet coming here and making their presence known.... Its an incredible concept to ponder. I think that people's reaction will be narrowed to a few categories: those who see it as an apocalyptic sign, those who fear it and create panic in the streets, those who embrace them as a new god, and then those who embrace them as new life just like any previously undiscovered species. But then that makes me wonder.... Are they friendly to us, or are they gonna kill us all anyway? Cuz if it's the latter, then nothing really matters if we're all gonna die....
