I do not agree that it is completely irrelevant when including the possibilities of life at a higher intellectual level. It would still put religion in a difficult position; if God created humans, he must have created aliens. At what intellectual level would you set the barrier? Must it demonstrate empathy? Love? And who would decide? What gives a human the right, as it clearly is the guy in the sky that is the gatekeeper.
Way OT but… you are making a categorical error: (putting aside what you may or may not think about Christianity… but) Christianity asserts that the only reason people (or beings) are not going to heaven is because of their sin (defined as, “any want of conformity to or transgression of the law of God”). To presuppose that any theoretical aliens have sin is wholly unwarranted. There is no need for any Christian to assume any status as regards heaven in relation to an alien.
Also; the existence or lack of existence of any alien life form would have no theological bearing on the western church. (That’s not to say that it would in the east. I just am ignorant of the details -- though if I was a betting man I would say that it is the same in that case also.) Wouldn’t change a thing; and not because it would get “swept under the carpet” but because it really changes nothing core to the dogma deemed necessary for the western church (i.e. the Ecumenical creeds).
And, just as an even further aside, some prominent Christian theologians believe that aliens might exist.
The Bible for example is very clear about the one who is making the decisions: God, or guy in the sky as you call it.
So I don't think that would be a problem for religion.
And I think this news is still no proof for skeptical people (like myself).
They found molecules that are very rare on earth and are now suggesting they originated in space:
"...but were unsure whether these materials actually originate in space. The presence of these three molecules, however, suggest that they do, potentially raising new questions..."
So just new questions and suggestions. No proof of alien life for me. But interesting!
I don't think finding evidence of ETI would change much of anything.
Sure, an agnostic might be put into a further tailspin, but so what? Most of the world's faithful have already demonstrated the enviable ability to suspend any desire to investigate the mechanics of their belief system. What difference will it matter that aliens were thrown into the equation?
Since you seem like a science-minded man, I'll point out that every Christian in this thread has said nothing like what you said. Perhaps you should revise your model.
