Reverse relationship between religion and extraterrestrial life
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Correlation between religion and belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life
A psychologist from North Dakota, U.S. , Clay Routledge, conducted a study that shows that there is a clear relationship between religious faith and the belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life. The relationship is that the tendency is that those who profess a religious doctrine tend to disregard the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life. On the other hand, those who consider themselves agnostics or atheists often believe in this possibility based on the vastness of the universe and the high possibility that life has developed in other parts of the galaxy. This is because believing in extraterrestrial life is similar to religion, but without depending on the traditional religious doctrines that some people have deliberately rejected. It seems to be related to the need to look for a deeper meaning to existence.
Clay argues that there is an inverse relationship between religious beliefs and the belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Other opinions related to the theme between religion and believing in the existence of extraterrestrial life
In 1930 they asked Einstein about the possibility of life outside Earth. He replied that other creatures maybe, but not humans. When asked about whether there was any conflict between Science and Religion, he replied that it did not, but it did depend, of course, on what religion it was.
Professor David Weintraub of Vanderbilt University decided to seriously consider whether the population in general is or is not prepared for the discovery of life on some planet. And he concluded, as Einstein thought, depends in large part on what his religious beliefs are.
Weintraub made a detailed study about it and published it in the book, “Religions and Extraterrestrial Life”. In that book he describes what texts and leaders of 24 religions have said or written about the possibility of life outside Earth.
According to different surveys in U.S. it is revealed that between one fifth and one third of Americans believe that extraterrestrials do exist. But this belief varies mainly according to the religious affiliation of the respondents.
In atheists, up to 55% believe that there can be life outside our planet. It is reduced to 44% among Muslims, 37% among Jews, 36% among Hindus and 32% among Christians. Among Christians it varies according to whether they are Orthodox (41%), Catholic (37%), Methodist (37%), Lutheran (35%) or Baptist (29%). Asian religions show less difficulty in accepting extraterrestrial existence.
According to Weintraub, while some claim to be prepared to assume the existence of extraterrestrials, an immense majority probably is not, so it could mean for their more deeply rooted and personal beliefs and relationship with the divine.
Conclusion
There is a large majority of people who, due to their beliefs and traditions, find it difficult to break with the already established so they can not accept the idea of extraterrestrial life. It could be concluded that in the event of a massive sighting it would be a shocking event for the general population and would generate chaos worldwide.
References
- El curioso vínculo entre la religión y los OVNIS| History Channel
- El extraño vínculo entre la religión y creer en extraterrestres| Cultura Colectiva
- ¿Están las religiones del mundo preparadas para los extraterrestres?| ABC
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