Discussion About First Contact And Theology

The discovery of life on another planet might seem incompatible with faith in a deity. Yet many theologians are already open to the existence of extra-terrestrials. Television pundit Stephen Colbert put it best in an interview with Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno: “If we accept that there is alien life on other planets, doesn’t that totally blow Jesus out of the water?” It is a question that has occupied theologians for years but has seen greater prominence as we have ventured farther into our solar system and beyond. In 2014 NASA awarded $1.1M to the Centre for Theological Inquiry, an ecumenical research institute in New Jersey, to study “the societal implications of astrobiology”. Increasingly, astronomers, astrophysicists and other scientists are joining theologians at conferences and think tanks to ask what it would mean if aliens have an idea of a god — or if they don’t. What kind of disruption would the discovery of alien intelligence mean to religion? To our understanding of what it means to be human?

In the 1997 film ‘Contact’, a story by Carl Sagan, religion is a central theme to the story in which the Earth receives radio signals from a supposed intelligent race. Whilst the film’s plot revolves around the discovery of alien life, the film focuses more on the reactions of religious groups and organisations as well as the main characters attitudes towards religion. The film balances the fearful and destructive elements of religion, as shown through terrorism and itinerant preaching, with the theological discussions between the main characters. It also shows to demonstrate the current discussions as to whether or not religion is a regressive or progressive force in the world, and whether or not religion is an archaic system of belief.

TV series such as Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek famously portray religion as a nonsense that is to be overcome in a species ‘development’. Other Science fiction shows and films also share such views of religion, but as religious studies scholars we are forced to question this simplistic narrative that is often portrayed on our screens.

In this discussion students should be asked to examine from a multitude of perspectives what a theoretical world response would be from a religious and theological perspective. It will also ask interesting sub-questions such as, what is sentient life? Does diversity of life lessen the value of such life? Is there a difference in attitude towards the concept of extra-terrestrial life

between religions? And does a belief in extra-terrestrial life already exist in some religions? This discussion will make students view the world internationally and ask questions not just about specific cultures, but about ourselves as humans in general in what we share and what we differ upon between us as a species.

Objectives of Discussion

1. To compare and contrast different possible religious perspectives to what extent religion and religious theology would be challenged. Students will confront stereotypes and narratives about their own or familiar religions as well as being introduced to new ones.

2. For students to evaluate whether or not religions have the ability to adapt to new world views and changes in reality. This will allow students to view this issue from the perspective of an aggressive secularist all the way to the most devout religious believer.

3. To what extent does Religion hold relevance in a theoretical universe that holds a large variety of sentient life? Whether or not a student is a religious believer or not, they will be challenged on their own status quo when asked critical questions or are confronted by a differing opinion. It will allow an opportunity for students to explore the most optimistic opinions of human nature to our most pessimistic and nihilistic sensibilities.

Questions Raised and Discussion Structure

Hypothetical for Educator: An Extra-terrestrial has entered orbit of our world and reveals itself by trying to communicate with us both through their own language and complex mathematical equations. Whilst the ship remains in orbit we are confronted with undeniable visual proof that other ‘sentient life’ exists, how will the world respond to such an event? And how would religion respond in the long term?

• Are there already religions that believe in the concept of Extra-terrestrial life?

• How would religions, in particular the Abrahamic religions reconcile extra-terrestrial life with the concept of the uniqueness of humanity?

• How is our understanding of God impacted in the light of extra-terrestrial life? If God created us in his image, did he also create extra-terrestrial life in his image? But how could a believer reconcile this with their faith that humans are the crowning achievement of God’s creation?

• How could humans believe they were the apple of their creator’s eye if their planet was just one of billions? The discovery of intelligent aliens could have an effect on human’s self-understanding. Would the discovery make believers feel insignificant, and as a consequence, cause people to question their faith?

• Do any religious texts already accept the possibility of extra-terrestrial life?

• Will this help or hinder adherent’s acceptance of intelligent extra-terrestrial life?

• How would faiths reconcile themselves with the concept of extra-terrestrial life?

Background Research and Resources for Educator

The information provided are here for educators to develop their own questions as well as change objectives as they see fit to tailor to their own lesson outcome.

• Read “Belief in Aliens May be a Religious Impulse” by Michael Shermer for Scientific American, Oct 1, 2017.

• Read “If we made contact with aliens, how would religion react?” by Brandon Ambrosino for BBC Future, Dec. 16, 2016.

• Watch “Religions, Exoplanets and Extraterrestrial Life,” a lecture by Vanderbilt astronomy professor David Weintraub, posted April 1, 2015.

• Read “Would Finding Alien Life Change Religious Philosophies” by Megan Gannon for Live Science, Oct. 9, 2014. The takeaway: Faith groups with more literal interpretations of sacred texts are more likely to believe in the existence of extraterrestrials.

• Read “How Would Christianity Deal with Extraterrestrial Life?” by Mark Strauss for Gizmodo, July 24, 2014. The takeaway: The author outlines current lines of thinking about theology and the possibility of intelligent aliens.

• Read a 2013 Survata survey that measured the level of belief in the existence of aliens among religious groups. The takeaway: Muslims are the most likely to say they believe aliens exist; among Christians, Eastern Orthodox adherents are the most likely to.

• Read “Aliens & God: Would Finding Extraterrestrial Life Destroy Religion?” by Mike Wall for The Huffington Post, June 25, 2012.

• Read “Can ET and Christmas Co-exist?” by Robert Krulwich for NPR, Dec. 22, 2010.

• Read “Judaism and Life on Other Planets,” an undated essay by Rabbi Benjamin Blech for Aish.com.

• Read “Would Intelligent Aliens Undermine God?” by Robert Lawrence Kuhn for Science and Religion Today, March 18, 2010.

• Read “Vatican astronomer cites possibility of extraterrestrial ‘brothers’” in an unsigned story from the International Herald Tribune as printed in The New York Times, May 14, 2008.

• Read “The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence” by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake for Scientific American, Jan. 6, 1997.