Ive always wondered what it would be like if we found aliens on another planet, but my biggest question has been how would religion react? How would christianity deal with it, or any other religion for that matter?

They'd find a way around it.

Just because we found aliens really wouldn't discredit any religion.

Cheers,

Lost

quote:Originally posted by LostCause:

They'd find a way around it.

Just because we found aliens really wouldn't discredit any religion.

Cheers,

Lost

Are you sure? Wouldnt people question why the bible never spoke of or predicted these beings?

The way I see you're explaining it is that once again, when something revolutionary occurs that alters humanity the church has to make something up to maintain its grip on peoples devotion.

quote:Originally posted by Spic Power:

Are you sure? Wouldnt people question why the bible never spoke of or predicted these beings?

The way I see you're explaining it is that once again, when something revolutionary occurs that alters humanity the church has to make something up to maintain its grip on peoples devotion.

Who says the bible needs to make predictions like that? Besides, if you're reading Genesis the bible mention a lot of people and sometimes it'll mention a guy having five daughters and three sons but only mention the names of the sons. Shit like that. May be they just left that out.

Also, I think the bible does mention something about beings from other planets somewhere.

Cheers,

Lost

Im not saying it would discredit religion. I want an idea of what a world reaction would be. Theres millions of deeply religious people that interpret the bible very literally. One of the main reasons a lot of people dont beleive aiens exist is because of religion. Supposedly we are special, created uniquely to interact with god, how would people who beleive that react to the fact that there are other beings as smart or smarter than us out there? Would we suddenly be "sharing" a god, would we want to? I am guessing it would discredit religion to some people.

[This message has been edited by Spic Power (edited 03-12-2005).]

I am sure it would discredit religion for many people, especially those, like you said, who read the bible very literally. I think a lot of it would have to do with if the aliens had any beliefs in an almighty being (provided we can communicate with them, don’t kill us, etc.) and if they did, which religion does is it most similar to. I think the discovery of aliens would subtract the number of people whom are in the middle of the road with their beliefs. The people that were never sure would be more apt to choose a side, God or no God, in my opinion. Also, an event like this would probably increase the number of “non-contemporary” religions, as well as people worshiping the aliens as our God. Good topic.

Another thing to ponder about is the aliens having a religion themselves...

This idea actually reminds me of the latest Star Ocean game...

quote:Originally posted by Hexadecimal:

This idea actually reminds me of the latest Star Ocean game...

I'm not a gamer, so this is just an idea thats popped out of my mind. Wouldn't be surprised if its been put into a game before though...

You can't discredit religion because religious beliefs don't base themselves on anything credible to begin with.

If aliens showed up, they'd just reinterpret some obscure verse to be inclusive, just like the flat-earth, geocentric, and solid-sky verses were spin-doctored to comply with astronomy.

It would not discredit religion for people that take the Bible very literaly unless the aliens actualy caim to earth and talked to them. Even then they would probably call the demons or somthing and pray for God's help. These people have convince themselve that the universe is six thousand years old the earth was completly covered in water for a year and that every animal in existance can trace it's lineage back to two on the Ark. Convincing themselves that the scientists are wrong about aliens would not be a big step.

I wonder how aliens would react to missionaries?

who knows what the yellow plague is?

fuck

the

police

and fuck the chinese

As many of you know, i do take the Bible literal... Triune God, literal 6 day creation, global flood, the Christ being Jesus- who died and was raised and ascended to Heaven, literal Heaven and Hell, etc..

Just thought you'll might be interested in my 2 cents worth, from this perspective.

First, there are many things that the Bible does not mention.. like kangaroos and pineapples. But there are some things that are mentioned in the Bible that we are not sure what they are (or what is meant).

That being said, i think aliens (intelligent -- with the ability to visit us) do not exist. From a biblical perspective, here is the basic reason for this belief:

By one man (Adam), sin brought the judgement of death to all creation and only Adam's decendants can be saved.

nl quote:Originally posted by xtreem5150ahm:

i think aliens (intelligent -- with the ability to visit us) do not exist. From a biblical perspective, here is the basic reason for this belief:

By one man (Adam), sin brought the judgement of death to all creation and only Adam's decendants can be saved.

Good theory, but could any extra terrestrial beings that do turn up just be a race of people beyond salvation?



[This message has been edited by flatplat (edited 03-15-2005).]

quote:Originally posted by flatplat:

Good theory, but could any extra terrestrial beings that do turn up just be people beyond salvation?

First, let me reiterate that this was "my 2 cents worth".

Yes, i suppose so... that would make them basically the same as any earthy animal, except with more intelligence...

which i think would lead to the (theologic) problem of intelligence begetting morality vs. morality being the "knowledge of good and evil"

and being from original sin.

quote:Originally posted by xtreem5150ahm:

First, let me reiterate that this was "my 2 cents worth".

Yes, i suppose so... that would make them basically the same as any earthy animal, except with more intelligence...

which i think would lead to the (theologic) problem of intelligence begetting morality vs. morality being the "knowledge of good and evil"

and being from original sin.

C.S. Lewis wrote a trilogy of scifi/fantasy books that included the possibility that God could have created and could still be creating other worlds and peoples. I don't think it jives with the literal 6-day creation, but it is definitely an interesting read.

Here's a link to more info:

http://prayerfoundation.org/books/book_review_space_trilogy.htm

Enjoy!

Well it depends on the structure of the life. If the alien life is DNA or RNA life-structures, it either means that God exists or that microbes somehow got blasted from earth across space, through powerful radiation, and landed on a planet, AND adapted to live in the wildly different enviornment.

If it's something different, however, it'd be a another story.

quote:Originally posted by Garibaldi:

I wonder how aliens would react to missionaries?

real question is how they would react to jevoah's witenesses

why do people assume that aliens have more intelligence then us?

quote:Originally posted by nicky69:

why do people assume that aliens have more intelligence then us?

Well, this is an if question. Sure, its possible that one day we may find space roaches, or space bunnies, or reproducing rocks, even if we did find aliens that dumb it still tickles at religion.

quote:Originally posted by nicky69:

why do people assume that aliens have more intelligence then us?

It would be hard for them to have less.

it would collapse killing millions hopefully

if there was a god there wouldn't be flood controil

quote:Originally posted by Monochrome:

It would be hard for them to have less.

Not necassarily. Sure, they can travel through time and space but maybe we've got something which they don't understand yet.

take for example a homing or racing pidgeon, it can fly back to its coop from anywhere you release it, but do you consider it to be more intelligent than us?

quote:Originally posted by Spic Power:

Are you sure? Wouldnt people question why the bible never spoke of or predicted these beings?

The way I see you're explaining it is that once again, when something revolutionary occurs that alters humanity the church has to make something up to maintain its grip on peoples devotion.

The bible states that god created the heavens and earth. and all there within. In regards to this thread, without getting into to much detail, and wasting my valuable time, they (the aliens)are just like us... beings, just in different bodies not humans bodies. We just happen to be human beings (human body + being = human being). The question from a religious prospective is irrelavant, because they to, are creations of god, just as we are.

quote:Originally posted by ICEPUMA:

The bible states that god created the heavens and earth. and all there within. In regards to this thread, without getting into to much detail, and wasting my valuable time, they (the aliens)are just like us... beings, just in different bodies not humans bodies. We just happen to be human beings (human body + being = human being). The question from a religious prospective is irrelavant, because they to, are creations of god, just as we are.



Well, what if the planet the aliens are from are beyond this galaxy and star system. And that planet they are from, is beyond heaven or hell's boundaries (where ever they may be). Then, it could be that either God is not real, or there are many Gods, just of different parts of vast space. Heaven and Hell have to be somewhere, if not here on earth, so it is possible the aliens are not from this Bible or God.

quote:Originally posted by Aeon:



Well, what if the planet the aliens are from are beyond this galaxy and star system. And that planet they are from, is beyond heaven or hell's boundaries (where ever they may be). Then, it could be that either God is not real, or there are many Gods, just of different parts of vast space. Heaven and Hell have to be somewhere, if not here on earth, so it is possible the aliens are not from this Bible or God.



Well, if you pay attention to the words, it says heavens (plural), meaning that maybe your right, there is more than one universe, maybe not, knowbody knows. But it would suggest he is the creator of them all. but to be realistic, it all depends on you beliefe in god, and religion. Take it as you want, and argue back with what ever thoughts you have, because, come on, thats what we all long in to totse for!!

My personalke on it is that Christianity was designed for human. But who is to say that aliens were created but were not favored (i know thats a sick thing but humans are the "apple of His eye"), or who is to say that God did not provide some salvation mechanism for them as well?

the pope would b like o shit now everyone know's we where bluffing damn aliens i'm kick u in the nut's what they don't have nuts damnit Y Y DAMNIT Y all my fame and futurin ruined i'll kill u u damn aliens i'll kill AH cough cough cough damnit i'm having a heart attack i'm going 2 die cause of u aliens motherfuckers o there is a shiny light hey god u do exist damn i was woundering if u 4got me r something so where's my room in heaven yeah i remeber the last thing's i said o but but but ok hey satan wow look @ all the hot chicks and i'm 20 again i get 2 live in sin HELL YEAH hey baby let's FUCK

Shaokhano, you have handled this topic with a wisdom that is found all to rarly in this world.

I would like to know which denomination you follow and how I can join.

i come from shaokhanoism and it's easy 2 join i'm like all other religion's send me me money and we will praise the hypcroacy and idiotoatagly of this world