Can contact with aliens change our religious views?

The works of Nikolai Copernicus had a significant influence on the modern scientific world. This is noted in his book "The Religion of Extraterrestrial Life" by David Weintraub. The discovery of a medieval scientist about the rotation of the Earth around the Sun was akin to an intellectual revolution. Thus, Copernicus succeeded in "throwing the remains of the Aristotelian, geocentric Universe into an urn of history."

The works of Copernicus influenced the worldview of medieval scholars

This revolution laid a powerful foundation for the writings of scientists who argued that the Earth is a typical planet revolving around a typical star in a typical galaxy. Ultimately, this led to the realization that we live on a small planet, which is illuminated by one of the hundreds of billions of stars. In fact, we exist on the outskirts of the universe, otherwise they would have long crossed paths with other civilizations. A logical question arises: how can believers reconcile with this rational idea? After all, from generation to generation they are taught that man is the crown of the creation of God.

How do religious beliefs differ from scientific ones?

Throughout their lives, devout Christians believe that they were created from the dust of the earth, and this planet is the creator's main creation. How do you reconcile yourself to the idea that there are billions of planets besides the Earth in the bottomless universe? At present, contact with extraterrestrial civilizations could become another revolution of consciousness. As you know, history develops in a spiral. And now the scientific breakthrough of the 15th century is replaced by another, more powerful breakthrough, dating from the third millennium. Philosophical questions in search of answers about being and the meaning of life often go beyond religious sources. We can not foresee how the believers will feel if someone questions their faith in the uniqueness of people.

Theological contradictions

Many modern theologians focus their attention on the mistaken belief of Christians. According to the Talmud, one day the Creator flew over all the 18000 worlds during the night. In fact, theology has never been oriented solely to the Earth. This exists in the Psalms. Sacred for the Jews and Christians, the scriptures affirm that the Lord gave names to all the stars. Surahs of the Qur'an also imply that Allah created his creations in the heavens and on the Earth. And this indicates obvious contradictions. For what purpose did God create people special (in the image and likeness of his own) and at the same time worked in multitasking mode?

Special - does not mean unique

Consider this problem in a reduced version. When parents are born children following the first child, this does not mean that the elder loses parental love and individuality. He is still considered special, but apart from him, the father and his mother have other special children. Astrobiology is studying the subject of the origin and spread of evolution within other planets of the universe. Why should not believers understand that they may not be the only children of God?

What do religious texts say about this?

The best theologians of the world recognize some limited religious texts. In this regard, we can consider as a revelation the recognition of the evangelist Billy Graham, who told the National Enquirer in his interview about his firm belief in the power of the Lord. According to the religious leader, he believes that "somewhere in the cosmos God created aliens". However, evangelicals differ from other Christians and understand Scripture with a high degree of literalness, and it implies that no intelligent life exists elsewhere. It turns out that the revelation of Billy Graham is just an exception to the rules.

The Thomas Paine Theory

In 1794, Thomas Paine discussed in one of his works the theory of several worlds. He ridiculed the absurdity of faith in the exclusiveness of the Earth. Did people come to this world to forget forever about all other worlds? But if the theory of the immortality of the soul is correct, there is no guarantee that after the death of the physical shell the soul will remain on this planet. Most likely, she will travel from the world to the world in an endless series of deaths. But if Christian salvation is possible only for people, why do other worlds in the whole universe lack this exclusive right?

The Atonement for Sins

Most likely, the answer to this question can be found if you look at the problem from the other side. According to the Jesuit priest George Coin, God could not leave aliens living in their sins. It only says that the Earth could be the only place where Adam and Eve sinned. Probably, our star brothers and sisters do not need redemption because of a more perfect spiritual existence.