| − | '''Exotheology''', or [[UFO]] religion, refers to the hypothetical theology of hypothetical intelligent [[extraterrestrial life]]. | + | '''Exotheology''', refers to the hypothetical theology of hypothetical intelligent [[extraterrestrial life]]. |
| | This is a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christian]] reaction to the widespread modern belief in extraterrestrial life, which has become predominant among [[liberals]] since the 1970s: "[[Scientists]] today generally assume, and the mathematical probabilities favor, the existence of intelligent life among the myriad [[planet]]s wheeling through the cosmos."<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,916129,00.html Time magazine Apr. 24, 1978]</ref> [[Atheism|Atheist]]s believe that the existence of life on other planets would disprove [[Christianity]]: some liberal Christians, such as the [[Irish]] writer [[C. S. Lewis]], have therefore tried to consider ways in which the existence of aliens could be harmonized with [[religion]], such as suggesting that [[alien]]s might not have experienced a [[Original Sin|Fall]] in the way humans did. | | This is a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christian]] reaction to the widespread modern belief in extraterrestrial life, which has become predominant among [[liberals]] since the 1970s: "[[Scientists]] today generally assume, and the mathematical probabilities favor, the existence of intelligent life among the myriad [[planet]]s wheeling through the cosmos."<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,916129,00.html Time magazine Apr. 24, 1978]</ref> [[Atheism|Atheist]]s believe that the existence of life on other planets would disprove [[Christianity]]: some liberal Christians, such as the [[Irish]] writer [[C. S. Lewis]], have therefore tried to consider ways in which the existence of aliens could be harmonized with [[religion]], such as suggesting that [[alien]]s might not have experienced a [[Original Sin|Fall]] in the way humans did. |
| − | [[Conservatives]] generally reject the whole debate as pointless and deceptive. According to the [[Bible]], the [[Earth]] is the centerpiece of [[God]]'s creation, and the only place where He created life. However, the Pope's astronomer, basing his views on secular science rather than the Bible,<ref>He believes in the [[theory of evolution]] and the [[Big Bang]] and considers the Bible to be inaccurate.</ref> has stated that there is a very real possibility that aliens exist.<ref>Popham, Peter, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/popes-astronomer-insists-alien-life-would-be-part-of-gods-creation-828303.html Pope's astronomer insists alien life 'would be part of God's creation'], ''The Independent'', 15th May 2008.</ref> | + | [[Conservatives]] generally reject the whole debate as pointless and deceptive. According to the [[Bible]], the [[Earth]] is the centerpiece of [[God]]'s creation, and the only place where He created life. Rev. José Gabriel Funes, a Jesuit priest who is head of the Vatican Observatory and a scientific adviser to Pope Benedict says "The existence of alien beings would not create a problem for believers. This is not in contrast with our faith because '''we can't put limits on God's creative freedom.'''" <ref>[http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/technology/science/science/story.html?id=fa0c5620-4d7f-44e6-9436-5cd4cb7153ac Vatican scientist says belief in God and aliens is OK] Reuters, May 14, 2008</ref> <ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/popes-astronomer-insists-alien-life-would-be-part-of-gods-creation-828303.html Pope's astronomer insists alien life 'would be part of God's creation'], ''The Independent'', 15th May 2008.</ref> |