If life of any form was ever discovered somewhere else besides Earth......?

Question

Would this be a catalyst for social change or thinking in religious beliefs? I could see that being the one thing that would change alot of beliefs....I know that alot of religions will have an answer for this or somehow incorperate this into their teachings. But some believe,well most people I talk to don't think that it will ever happen. If you say the word UFO or aliens,most will look upon you as crazy or delutional. The universe is a very,very large place with lots of galaxies-stars(suns)-planets-moons,etc.. Is it just a waste of space for us little humans on this little spec of dust in the universe or is it more abundent with life than we could ever possibley imagine?

Answer 1

There are two ways we may find other life. First, within our own solar system. It could be beneath the surface of Mars or in the ocean moon of Jupiter. Intelligent life could be detected through the efforts of SETI, search for extratarestrial intelligents, by hearing their radio emmisions from years ago. The former would be most likely and it would probably be in the form of microbial life. With the latter, we need intelligent life which is bound to be much more rare. And besides the three dimentions of space, we have the dimention of time to deal with. Because how long does a society keep emmiting radio waves. We have been doing it for a little more than a century. Of course, billions of years of life preceded this on Earth. Still there are billions of stars in the galaxy and therefore billions of worlds are likely. So maybe it is possible to stumble accross something. If there is life on Mars or in the system of jupiter, it will probably be discovered in the next two or three decades. Keep your fingers crossed. As far as SETI goes, they could find something tomarrow or 50 years from now. I think when the discovery is made, life will go on as always. No religion really speaks against it. They will just have do deal with the sibling rivarly. There will be no shaking of society. It will be an interesting discussion and some will probabably say it is made up and some will pay it no never mind.

Answer 2

I agree, that if ever life were discovered, the major religions will work hard on providing people with an answer as to why, so many of teir followers don't stray out of their control.

To be safe, if I were any religion than what I am now, and lived 1,000 years ago, I would have stated right away that there were aliens from other worlds, so there would have been proof in the modern-day bible.

Personally, I don't care if we ever do meet any or not, it is not as though we would discover them in this century, since they have apparently been visiting for over 2,000 years (as evidenced in the bible).
I say let them come - but they better not expect me to play host for all of their intentions or stick me with the interstellar petrol bill.

Answer 3

I believe that there would be large social change and alot of criticism of religion although it would be all mistake. IMO there is no conflict between most religions and alien life. Like a previous poster said this should only strengthen our beliefs that our creator wanted to give life to as many creatures as possible.

Answer 4

Well suppose we asked them "does god exist?" and they answer "no. Nothing like your god has ever existed and we can prove it". That would certainly have some pretty significant effects on those poor humans whom have spent a majority of their lives worshiping god in one way or another. It would be hard to imagine how the religious communities would react when they realize that they had wasted their lives. All those sunny days spent in church when we could have been outside living. All those children spending their whole youths in madras's chanting the Quran. All those nuns who could have been... All for nothing. I think the reactions would make the Heavens Gate cult look like a picture of mental health.

Answer 5

theres life out there, its been proven that other planets are capable to seport life, which thats only if they only survive on the air we do there is a possibility that they don't survive on the same air so in that case there can be one planet in every solar system that can hold life or one in every other it don't matter lifes out there and humans ain't bright enuf to realize that yet. and yes religion is going to change if they ever do discover life on another planet because either they will just say that scientist are liers or they will say that God put them there too just like us or its Gods twin brother. Religion is going down fast and thats all we need to do to distroy religion. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Answer 6

It is presumptuous and pompous of man to think we are the only, or the most intelligent or advanced, life in the universe. Life isn't abundant but we are not alone, either.
We are feral to this planet. It was found for us to inhabit and, hopefully, to thrive in. We have been left to our own designs but we are observed to monitor our 'progress' and 'civility'. But we have not eliminated greed, politics or religion, which may or may not be a good thing. liberals aren't helping anything, either.

Answer 7

Why would finding signs of life on another planet change any
ones thinking or belief system?

It certainly wouldn't change mine, and I'm a Christian. It would
just be proof of my beliefs.

Answer 8

no life of any form has been discovered by earthlings anywhere else besides earth . . . yet.

Answer 9

there is no god, but if there was one the universe would be too big for him to handle and he would quit. it is stll groing too...