If intelligent life is found in the universe will it change religion(s)?
....with the James Web Telescope looking for sources of artificial light to identify potential intelligent life, and the news this week of Perseverance searching for microbial life on Mars it feels like we are getting closer to a major discovery. But what - if anything - would it mean for the religions on Earth if life is proven to exist out there?
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Hi! I was listening to a podcast awhile ago that stuck with me and they discussed a book I am struggling to remember the name of. In it, a religious man travels to a planet of intelligent alien life to make first contact.
All the aliens live peacefully, in harmony with the enviroment. There is no crime, poverty or muder. Everyone is kind to each other. But not a single being on the planet has ever heard of God, or made contact with any divine being. This troubles the protaganists conscious as they found an perfect balance of life without any guide. When he returns to Earth, he is told that the Devil must have invented the aliens to test his faith.
Thats all the details I can remember but it was a fair and unbiased story and it came to mind with all the recent news nentioned above. Thats all.
If anyone has an idea of the book title, I would be interested to know!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Case_of_Conscience?wprov=sfla1
Its called 'A case of conscience' from 1958!
(Sorry for the late reply I'm at work)
No worries, thanks a lot!
I read that, decades ago. By James Blish, who turned many of the first Star Trek episodes into books. That was probably why I read it. ::: spoiler spoiler An entire planet is excorcized. :::