Difference between revisions of "Exotheology"
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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. | 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 [[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, | + | 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> |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 00:34, September 12, 2008
Exotheology, refers to the hypothetical theology of hypothetical intelligent extraterrestrial life.
This is a 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 planets wheeling through the cosmos."[1] Some 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 aliens might not have experienced a 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." [2][3]
References
- ↑ Time magazine Apr. 24, 1978
- ↑ Vatican scientist says belief in God and aliens is OK Reuters, May 14, 2008
- ↑ Pope's astronomer insists alien life 'would be part of God's creation', The Independent, 15th May 2008.