If we made contact with inteligent alien life, then would we have to try and convert them to our religions?

Question

You know that this question will be asked if we encounter other life forms. Please don't respond with things like, "They will already be Christians," or "They will already be Muslims," when you answer. Think about it for a moment, they have their own religions and we have ours. Would it be wrong to try and convince them to join our religions?

Answer 1

I'm still waiting to make contact with intelligent life here on earth, much less another planet. I'm kidding...

Answer 2

Religion could be one of the factors holding us back and when we nave outgrown this childish world view, the ban on visiting earth will be lifted. If so then the effect on religion would be zero, there would be no religions when aliens land. Of course this doesn't really get to the heart of your question, what you really want to know I guess, is what the implications of alien life would be for, the world's religions. There are a number of issues here and I will deal with only a few.

1. Some religions think that god was an alien, so perhaps an alien visit would be seen as fulfilment of prophecy.

2. On a more general level the very fact that alien life exists would mean that we are not the centre of the universe. While most religions now recognise that the earth is just a lump of rock, they still believe that WE human beings are the most important thing in creation, that we occupy a special place in God's plan. The existence of aliens would seem to make this implausible especially if they are more advanced than we are (on all levels, intellectually, spiritually) This would mean that God has acted in the development of the aliens in a way he did not act in ours, which in turn would mean that we do not occupy the paramount role in God's creation, which as I said is a fundamental idea in religions.

3. For Christianity, Judaism and !slam the existence of aliens is especially problematic. All these religions are based on the idea of a covenant between us and God. Now consider two possibilities; (i) the aliens do not believe in God and do not share the idea of a fall from grace by man (or I guess created beings) and a promise between God and man of a way to return to grace and the forgiveness of sin. Perhaps they have a different religious belief of their own. (ii) the aliens do believe in these things and even have a Moses, Jesus, or Mohammed of their own.

Possibility (i) would mean that these aliens would be in need of conversion and salvation, and of course it would be up to the faithful to lead the way. I can't help but think this would lead to a new level of arrogance and self righteousness than they have had in the past. It may not lead to a holy war, but I doubt that the religious will adopt a policy of non interference concerning the aliens beliefs.

Possibility (ii) is more interesting. For Christians the covenant was fulfilled in the sacrifice of JC. Now if aliens had there own incarnation this would undermine the covenant we share with God and our personal saviour, 'God made man', Christ. It would have all kinds of problems for the doctrine of resurrection (do aliens and humans share the same kind of spirit, will humans get resurrected in alien bodies?), the Eucharist (would the body and blood be alien Jesus' body and blood, if not do the aliens partake of a different sacrament?) These of course are doctrinal issues and though they are not trivial, especially for the Christian, the existence of aliens would have the more fundamental effect on these monotheistic faiths of calling into question mans very relationship with, God and the rest of creation. (It is interesting to note that the Vatican has a research program devoted to evaluating the implications of alien life for the Christian faith, I'm not sure if they have published any conclusions yet, but I bet it would be interesting!)

4. Perhaps other non-monotheistic religions would fair better, these would not be concerned with salvation or redemption, but with a universal spirit, or some such corresponding idea the existence of aliens may be seen as just another manifestation of this universal life force. if aliens landed tomorrow I am sure that religions of all kinds would have to change, but I bet that they would fight against it, they would after all be fighting for their survival. For the long run I can't help but feel pessimistic.

Answer 3

We would first have to see what their views on "creation" and the nature of the Universe are.

It would be an ultimate test of any belief system to see how an ultra advanced civilization responds or how we respond to them.

Science, by the way, could fall into far more dire straights as such a visit could totally deflate a lot of theories, such as not being able to travel at light speeds.

Scientists may have to shed everything they know and learn from scratch like a 5 year old.

The philosopher or theologian won't have to go back that far, because there are some ultimate truths constant to all decent belief systems.

Answer 4

I'm not sure where or why people would respond with "They would already be Muslims (or Chirstians)" in this context. It's crazy to suggest Muhammed traveled to Sirius. The fact is, if they came down, you gotta admit: they ain't be havin' nothing to do with no Earth versions of goat herder stuff.

Aliens would have a different physiology--different brains. They'd think in ways we don't get. They'd have a completely different take on things.

But when it's all said and done, if we gather up in an intergalactic world, why can't a human evangelize to an alien? Seems kosher to me. Probably good for Allkind.

It'd be neat to learn from their religions too.

Answer 5

If aliens come to visit our planet, aliens which are centuries or milleniums more technologically advanced than we are, and far more intelligent, to share their culture with us, we on earth will finally realize how petty our differences are with these 'religions' or lack thereof.

Its hard to imagine we start wars over these things. What would bring a person to WANT to hurt another human life? Clearly, such a person has not felt the loneliness that I have.

Answer 6

Its wrong to try to convince anyone who is not interested to join your religion. They will probably be so annoyed by our religious evangelicals that they just nuke us for the benefit of the universe;)

Its hard to guess if they will have religion. Purely as an educated guess I doubt most of them will. If they do, who says it will be anything like human religion? Or even comprehensible to us?

What if their form of prayer is rapidly changing the coloration of their pseudopods in a ritualized fashion like cuttlefish gone Pentecostal, and they start to try to convert humans? Suppose its a natural part of their biology to eat the male after sex like some species of spider? Worst of all, what happens if they are totally peaceful but just happen to be humanoids with horns, red skin, cloven hoofs and bifurcated tails? I think the best thing to do would be to leave religion out of it entirely.

Answer 7

I strongly believe that intelligent life forms are already watching us, waiting for the right time to contact. They look and see humans fighting one another over religion or who's god is right and they don't want anything to do with it all. Looking at it another way, if they landed in say, North Korea or another volatile state they would be seen as a threat. Advanced technology in the hands of a nation who hasn't exactly striven for world peace or the unification of all mankind no matter what race/religion?

Answer 8

Yep those Christian idioits would!!!
Look what they did to My People the (The Native Americans)
We Had are own Religion Until they Started Killing Native's that did want to Convert!!!
But Were Still Here With Our Religion!!!
You @astards couldn't take it away!!

Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strength to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone).

2. Respect. Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.

3. Once a council has decided something in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the council has made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time.

4. Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.

5. Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.

6. The hurt of one is the hurt of all; the honor of one is the honor of all.

7. Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.

8. All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.

9. To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget you’re most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

10. Observe moderation and balance in all things.

11. Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.

12. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and


Wahoo!!!

Answer 9

It is wrong to try to force others to accept ones beliefs, but not wrong to present ones views.
Sadly it will probably come to pass that man will do all man can to convert an alien being into becoming like minded.
Such is the depth of mans ignorance and fear of difference.

Answer 10

My personal oppinion is that such an eveolved species would be teaching us an awful lot about how the universe works if thats basically what religion does I think I'de be interesed in hearing what they had to say. Jesus was an alien.