The works of Nicolaus Copernicus have had a significant impact on the modern scientific world. This is noted in his book "The Religion of Extraterrestrial Life" David Weintraub. The discovery of the medieval scientist about the rotation of the Earth around the Sun was akin to an intellectual revolution. Thus, Copernicus was able to "throw the remnants of the Aristotelian, geocentric universe into the urn of history."
Copernicus' works influenced the worldview of medieval scholars
This revolution laid a powerful foundation for the writings of scientists who argued that the Earth is a typical planet orbiting a typical star in a typical galaxy. Ultimately, this led to the realization that we live on a small planet, which is illuminated by one of hundreds of billions of stars. In fact, we exist on the outskirts of the universe, otherwise we would have crossed with other civilizations long ago. A logical question arises: how can believers come to terms with this reasonable idea? After all, from generation to generation they are taught that man is the crown of God's creation.
How do religious beliefs differ from scientific beliefs?
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Throughout their lives, devout Christians believe that they were created from the dust of the earth, and this planet is the main creation of the creator. How to come to terms with the idea that besides the Earth, there are billions of planets in the bottomless universe? At present, contact with extraterrestrial civilizations could be another revolution of consciousness. As you know, history develops in a spiral. And now the scientific breakthrough of the 15th century is being replaced by another, more powerful breakthrough dating back to the third millennium. Philosophical questions in search of answers about being and the meaning of life often go beyond religious sources. We cannot predict how believers will feel if someone questions their belief in the uniqueness of people.
Theological contradictions
Many modern theologians focus on the fallacy of Christian belief. According to the Talmud, once the Creator flew all 18,000 worlds in a night. In fact, theology has never been exclusively Earth-oriented. This is what is stated in the Psalms. Scriptures sacred to Jews and Christians claim that the Lord gave names to all the stars. The suras of the Qur'an also imply that Allah created His creations in the heavens and on Earth. This indicates obvious contradictions. For what purpose did God create people special (in his own image and likeness) and at the same time work in a multitasking mode?
Special doesn't mean unique
Let's consider this problem in a reduced version. When parents give birth to children following their firstborn, this does not mean that the elder loses parental love and individuality. He is still considered special, but besides him, the father and mother have other special children. Astrobiology studies the subject of the origin and spread of evolution within the limits of other planets of the Universe. Why don't believers understand that they may not be the only children of God?
What do the religious texts say about this?
The world's best theologians acknowledge some limitations of religious texts. In this regard, the confession of evangelist Billy Graham, who spoke in an interview with the National Enquirer about his firm conviction in the power of God, can be considered a revelation. According to the religious leader, he believes that "somewhere far in space, God created aliens." However, evangelicals are different from other Christians and understand Scripture to a high degree of literality, which implies that no intelligent life exists elsewhere. It turns out that Billy Graham's revelation is just an exception to the rule.
Thomas Payne's theory
In 1794, Thomas Paine discussed in one of his works the theory of several worlds. He ridiculed the absurdity of believing in the oneness of the Earth. Did people come to this world to forget about all other worlds forever? But if the theory of the immortality of the soul is correct, there is no guarantee that after the death of the physical shell, the soul will remain inhabited on this planet. Most likely, she will travel from world to world in an endless series of deaths. But if Christian salvation is possible only for people, why are other worlds in the entire universe deprived of this exclusive right?
Atonement for sins
Most likely, the answer to this question can be found by looking at the problem from the other side. According to the Jesuit priest George Coyne, God could not leave the aliens to live in their sins. This only suggests that the Earth could be the only place where Adam and Eve sinned. Probably, our stellar brothers and sisters do not need redemption due to a more perfect spiritual existence.
Inga Kaisina