Listening to the radio last night, I heard someone ask about what effect the discovery of life on another planet (if there is one) would have on religion. It's an interesting question. One I noticed that seems to be asked mostly of astronomers, not of theologians. (I'm not sure what to make of that fact).
I've heard different answers. Some say it would be terribly upsetting to the world's religions; others say we would adapt and it would be no big deal. I'm not sure how the world react, but I doubt there would be chaos. It surely wouldn't be the end of religion, nor the end of Christianity.
I'm not sure why some people think that Christianity would be impacted. Is it because they think the scriptures teach that earthlings are the only beings in the universe? There is the fact that Jesus died on earth, and it doesn't seem that He can or needs to die again. If alien life is microbial, then I don't see any worries. But what if alien life is advanced, biologically and morally? Then we need to ask if such creatures know God and if not, what to do about it.
Regardless, it's an interesting question and one Christians should have a response to, if for no other reason than to counter the feeling among some, that Christians are idiots.
Posted by Tim at September 3, 2004 09:16 AM
You're right. There seems to be this horribly
uninformed notion held by non-Christians, that if life exists on other planets, somehow Christianity becomes invalid.
I think it's more like a hope on their part. Some mere microbes wouldn't seem to somehow destroy the faith.
Dave
Posted by: David Fernandez at September 3, 2004 12:24 PMYea, I detect a little wishful thinking on their part too.
Posted by: tim at September 3, 2004 11:23 PM