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'''Exotheology''' is a term sometimes used for the theological implications that would arise from the discovery of [[extraterrestrial life]].  It is much less than a developed field of study, but it has drawn the interest of some theologians and philosophers, including [[C.S. Lewis]].  The term can also be used to mean the religious beliefs of a [[science fiction|fictional]] alien race, or that of hypothesized intelligent extraterrestrials in general.

'''Exotheology''' is a term sometimes used for the theological implications that would arise from the discovery of [[extraterrestrial life]].  It is much less than a developed field of study, but it has drawn the interest of some theologians and philosophers, including [[C.S. Lewis]].  The term can also be used to mean the religious beliefs of a [[science fiction|fictional]] alien race, or those of hypothesized intelligent extraterrestrials in general.

This is a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christian]] reaction to the widespread modern belief in extraterrestrial life, which has become predominant 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>  Some [[Atheism|atheists]] 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.

Some see exotheology as a [[Liberal Christianity|liberal Christian]] reaction to the widespread modern belief in extraterrestrial life.  A 1978 Time Magazine article claimed "[[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>  Some [[Atheism|atheists]] believe that the existence of life on other planets would disprove [[Christianity]]. Some 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.

Some [[conservative]] [[Christians]] 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>

Some [[conservative]] [[Christians]] reject the whole debate as pointless and deceptive. They say that, according to the [[Bible]], the [[Earth]] is the centerpiece of [[God]]'s creation, and the only place where He created life. On the other hand, 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>

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