If UFOs are indeed real, what are the religious consequences that this “truth” could cause? Serious contemplation on this matter is needed.
In the coming decades, the intellectual turmoil that the “extraterrestrial” dimension can stir up is massive. The questions it creates are not just one or two. While there is a geopolitical dimension on one hand, on the other hand, everything—from the concept of the Biblical “Genesis” (the origin of creation) and Islamic thoughts —could be questioned. Appropriate answers must be given to them. If these religions fail to explain new knowledge, it inevitably paves the way for new thoughts and new interpretations.
History shows that the truths of scientific research have subjected many beliefs within the Bible, Quran, and Communist texts to debate. It cannot be forgotten that the new scientific revolution that arose in medieval Europe led to a massive political development that sidelined the direct rule of the Church.
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Similarly, as research on UFOs increases, the truths that may emerge cannot be ruled out from playing a path-breaking role in causing global political and religious transitions.
History shows that the truths of scientific research have subjected many beliefs within the Bible, Quran, and Communist texts to debate. It cannot be forgotten that the new scientific revolution that arose in medieval Europe led to a massive political development that sidelined the direct rule of the Church. Similarly, as research on UFOs increases, the truths that may emerge cannot be ruled out from playing a path-breaking role in causing global political and religious transitions. If more “real” videos become available in the coming decades, their global impact will be very serious. It is impossible for anyone to remain silent on this matter for long.
The UFO subject does not just raise questions of scientific curiosity. Turmoil can be expected in the religious, ideological, intellectual spheres as well. Propositions in certain religious texts may have to face public questioning.
If contact is made with intelligent beings of other realms, planets, many old thoughts will shake. Many of our feelings, impressions, and understandings regarding reality and worldly truth, and the foundational texts of many religions—all of these will undergo a massive upheaval. Our fundamental outlook on life itself will have to change radically.
Perhaps, even if the ultimate spiritual truth does not change, the birth of a new philosophy of life will become inevitable.
Philosophers and religious founders outside of India have presented thoughts that are purely Earth-centric and human-centric. According to them, another world means only the world one goes to after death. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have a limited understanding of this entire creation. Their proposition is along the lines of: “Everything has been created for humans, for human consumption; humans have rights over all other living beings.” In such a situation, if contact suddenly occurs with intelligent beings who are millions of years ahead of humans in technology, and if we learn about their science, technologies, and their cosmic knowledge which is far superior to ours, it will become clear to everyone’s experience that the stories told by religious texts and the real world do not match. It might become difficult for religious leaders to hold onto the faith of intelligent people.
The possibility that there could be life on billions of planets in the universe is now a universally accepted scientific theory. However, because there is no clarity on what kind of life exists, humans have not faced a real challenge. On Earth, humans are the intelligent beings! Their “self-pride” has not been dented yet, and no challenges have been faced. If it is confirmed that beings more intelligent than humans exist, a reality capable of overturning many fundamental beliefs of humans will confront us.
Those who are already anxious that “AI might surpass us” hold onto the consolation that “whatever happens, it is just technology and not a living being like us!” If the reality confronts us that “we are not the greatest intelligent beings in this creation, and there are highly intelligent beings who can look at us just like animals,” the existential confusion that could arise from it would be extraordinary.
An urgent need will arise to adapt, re-interpret, and present new explanations for the arguments and stances of religious texts in accordance with the new truth. Or, old ideas will have to be abandoned.
According to Biblical belief, has the “original sin” attached to the humans of Earth also attached to alien beings, or does it not apply to them at all? Is the scope of God and the scope of the Church limited only to Earth? — Such questions have been echoing loudly for many years.
The Vatican (the Roman Catholic global administration), which decided that ‘an official answer’ must be given to such questions, issued an official statement for the first time in 2008. The Vatican science spokesperson and Chief Astronomer, Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, gave an interview to a Vatican newspaper of his own. The title of that interview was: “The Extraterrestrial is My Brother!” His statement was as like this: “In my opinion, the possibility that extraterrestrial beings exist and that they may be more advanced than humans is clear. There is no conflict between this possibility and the belief in God. Can we say that life has not developed elsewhere?.. Just as there are various kinds of beings on Earth, it is natural for them to exist on other planets of the universe as well. There could be intelligent beings created by God there too. This is not against our fundamental belief. Because this is the freedom of creation that God possesses. It is impossible for us to put limits on it… Therefore, what is the hindrance for us to call them ‘Brother Extraterrestrial’? Is not everything a part of creation?” — He gave this statement and temporarily escaped the spot!
But his answer created more questions. He gave his statement, indeed. But how to support his statement by giving evidence from the scripture (the Bible)? How can a text from a culture in which the very concept of the universe did not exist be applied to all planets, and how can it be said that messengers and redeemers of sin were sent there too? Even if said so, who would believe it? None of the things he said are in the Bible!
If those who used to speak by giving religious scriptural “evidence” for everything they claim now put it aside and speak using “common sense,” won’t the questions on the religious texts increase? How to show the required proof for all this ‘within the text’? (The same problem exists in the case of Islam and Judaism as well). No one has answered these questions.
When the mere possibility that ‘extraterrestrial beings’ might exist has posed so many challenges so far, what if contact with extraterrestrial beings actually happens? The new science of Europe is 500 years old. If a civilization with a scientific history of about 50 million years exists somewhere in the outer world, will the intelligent beings there accept humans, saying, “These are our extraterrestrial brothers and sisters”? What is the likelihood that they will see humans as equals? There is also the possibility that in their eyes, we might seem like the lowest level of animals, isn’t it?
This problem may not trouble many philosophies of India as much. In places where there is spiritual freedom, the quest for truth becomes more important than the dogmatic proclamation of truth.
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The ancient Sanatan Hindu Puranas are full of various kinds of outer worlds and the special beings residing there. They also describe the flying crafts they use. The thought originating from a time-concept of billions of years exists in India. The concept of fourteen levels of realms, fourteen dimensions of different worlds is here in India. Hindus are very comfortable with this idea.
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This problem may not trouble many philosophies of India as much. In places where there is spiritual freedom, the quest for truth becomes more important than the dogmatic proclamation of truth.
The subject of outer-world beings will not cause a ‘shock’ to philosophies that propose multiple worlds and multiple births. The ancient Sanatan Hindu Puranas are full of various kinds of outer worlds and the special beings residing there. They also describe the flying crafts they use. The thought originating from a time-concept of billions of years exists in India. The concept of fourteen levels of realms, fourteen dimensions of different worlds is here in India. Hindus are very comfortable with this idea.
According to the theory of Karma, there is a proposition that the soul can be born in any world and in the form of any creature. Sanatana Dharma believes that whatever form life takes, every life is sacred. It does not stress over what the origin and dwelling place of life is. If, through contact with alien beings, we learn about their deities, Sanatana Dharma possesses a broad and open mindset to accept and include them as well and move forward.
That is to say, from the perspective of scope and application, the stance of Indian philosophies is more open. In the parlance of modern technology, this can be called an “Open Architecture.” Where there is an open architecture, anything required can be newly integrated. Similarly, unnecessary old things can be set aside without any fear.
Although the Vedas contain Earth-and-solar-centric hymns, in many places they propose a vision of the entire universe (e.g., the Nasadiya Sukta). The concept of multiple worlds is nothing new to India. The vision at the level of the entire universe is what is found behind the ritual resolve (Sankalpa) made by common people: “Adya Brahmanah Dvitiya Parardhe…” Yet, many concepts have arisen among us too, driven by the feeling that “humans are the supreme beings, we are the best intelligent beings.” It is natural that all of them will shake upon contact with beings more intelligent than us.
Probably, it will not harm pure Vedanta or spirituality. Because it encompasses everything, and since it deliberates upon the entire universe, and the principles beyond it, and the primal consciousness that causes it, its role will certainly exist in a new cosmic philosophy—it must exist.
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