How would proof of life on other planets affect various religions?

Question

Note: Question inspired by this Y! article about a new potentially habitable planet discovered outside of our solar system: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_sc/habitable_planet

I'm sorry, there are so many great answers I need help choosing so I've gotta put this one to a vote!

Answer 1

Excellent question!

I think the "official" positions of most religions would not be able to cope. Personally, as a Christian, I haven't read yet that God ever said this was the only planet with life, so I see no reason to suspect we're it in the universe. Actually, it's very logical to assume there is life besides us out there.

Answer 2

it would not impression my concept and courting with God, as a Christian. The Bible teaches little about stars and planets no matter if in a unfavorable or effectual way. even if it says in Genesis a million:14 "And enable there be light fixtures contained in the firmament, of the heavens to divide the day from the evening, amd enable them be for symptoms, and for seasons, and for days, and for years." it truly is for sure refering to stars to boot because the solar and moon, so this shows the genuine position that the earth has in God's scheme of issues. it truly is what pastimes me. If there have been existence-varieties on different planets i ought to reckon it to be none of my employer nor the employer of the human race whose organic domicile is the earth. Demons are spirit creatures. Jesus, even as he encountered them, interior or connected to human beings, via a command, forged them out or away and they is also certain (made ineffective for a time) Believers using the call of Jesus can do a similar. Jesus not in any respect killed them, their time of judgment is yet to come back

Answer 3

As a Wiccan, it wouldn't change my beliefs at all. Why shouldn't life exist in other parts of the universe as it does here on our own Earth? Wicca generally claims no special status for either our planet or its human inhabitants -- we are one lifeform among many.

Answer 4

In Deuteronomy 29:29

God says the secret things belong to God.

so there are a lot of things we do not know nor understand...and that is fine...so it doesn't make any difference to me either way. God might have had other worlds on other planets in other galaxies etc. etc...irrelevant. We just need to know what to do here to be acceptable to Him.

Answer 5

Wouldn't change it much unless it was intelligent life that communicated with us and told us how sily all our manmade religions are. Otherwise, even if we found proof of life on other planets, most people would deny it, and the other religious fanatics would claim their particular god was responsible for it.

Answer 6

Depends.

Bacteria on Mars, probably not much. A good two way conversation with a planet relatively close so that we could ask questions and get answers before we die, probably a lot.

Answer 7

In Eastern religions, not much at all, in fact it would probably fit right in.

In Western religions, probably not incredibly much since I do not think any of the Western religions expressly states that we are the only inhabited earth. Anyway I don't think it would really matter.

Answer 8

Unfortunately the Churches would brag about their Great God because he created the Universe. I would just like to see what they would say if the ALF had like 3 heads. Is that God's likeness too?

Answer 9

I don't think it will effect the Christian religion. I believe if life (or traces) are found on Mars, it will have come from Earth. I don't think that there is intelligent life anywhere else in the cosmos. But if there is, it won't change my faith in Jesus.

Answer 10

That would throw the monkey wrench in most of them, but I`m sure they would find some way to make it work in their favor. If not , they would just behead the aliens.