How would the religions of the world react to extraterrestrial life?

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about what exists and the idea of ​​life beyond our world.

“We don’t know if it’s alien. We don’t know if it’s an enemy. We don’t know if it’s an optical phenomenon. We don’t think so, due to the characteristics that these jet pilots have. the Navy have described as seen it move. And so, at the end of the day, we want to know, “said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Scientists, Philosophers, and Theologians have had this conversation for centuries and have often pondered whether something really exists, what impact does it have on the major religions of the world, especially those that see themselves as a special creation. of a superior being? It turns out not that much.

“There are religions like Mormonism that believe in alien life, so they wouldn’t be surprised. There are religions like Judaism that would just say, ‘OK, aliens can exist, that’s God’s business,’ ”commented David Weintraub.

The question of what happens to the world’s religions is something that Vanderbilt astronomer David Weintraub sought to uncover in his book “Religions and Extraterrestrial Life”.

The notion of cosmic pluralism or other worlds that may contain intelligent life has been around for centuries. For example, the 12th century Islamic theologian Fakhr al-Din al-Razi wrote: “The Most High has the power (qadir) to create a thousand thousand worlds beyond this world.” But this premise has faced challenges throughout history, with many early Christians leaning on the Aristotelian notion that the Earth is the center of the universe and, ergo, human beings as well.

“Once astronomers were convinced that the Earth was not the center of the universe, philosophers and theologians began to debate the existence of these other worlds. And the conclusion was that God created these other worlds in order to create other beings to worship God, ”Weintraub said.

Human Genome Project Director Dr Francis Collins tells Newsy that the same God he believes created DNA has the ability to create things that are not explicitly in the Bible.

“Would we think it just wasn’t possible for God to keep track of more than one planet? Hey we’re talking about Almighty God here, I don’t think that would emphasize his abilities. And if, in fact, that was part of God’s plan from the beginning with the creation of this universe, it would give birth to life in more than one place. I think it’s wonderful, ”Collins said.

Not all, but many modern Christians agree. The late evangelical leader Billy Graham said something similar, writing: “The Bible does not tell us whether or not there is intelligent life on other planets, although I cannot find anything in the Bible that would exclude this. possibility. But if there is life on other planets, then God created that life. “

Perhaps the issue of religion and aliens is best summed up by the former president of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Normam Lamm, who wrote: “The discovery of other intelligent creatures elsewhere in the universe, if they do exist, and will deepen and broaden our appreciation of the mysteries. of the Creator and his creations. Man will be humble, but not humiliated. “

This story was originally posted by Amber Strong at Newsy.