- A recent survey of 42 Anglican (Church
of England) bishops revealed that 40 of them, or 95%, believes in the possibility
of alien life on other worlds. Thirty-one, or 74%, said some of that alien
life might be intelligent. These beliefs are seen as a departure from
traditional church dogma which holds that man is unique in the cosmos and
created in the image of God.
-
- According to Henry Richmond, Bishop of
Repton, "Alien life forms could exist. I'd like to think that ETs
were human-like but we might have to adjust our ideas and recognize that
even little green men are another form of intelligent life that we oughtn't
to feel threatened by ."Michael Turnbull, Bishop of Durham, said the
discovery of other life could be a positive force. "God created all
life. If it were possible to engage with life on other planets it would
open our lives to the greater wonders of God's creation."
-
-
- Most of those surveyed agree that the
discovery of alien life would require a reappraisal of traditional doctrine.
On the question of whether God might personally visit other worlds, Mark
Green, Assistant Bishop of Chichester, said, "I would not be shocked
if he had. If he has children on different planets he would visit them,
the way a father would visit his children in different parts of the country."
According to Lindsay Urwin, Bishop of Horsham, "Religion has never
just simply looked at the Earth to learn about [God]. The Bible says the
heavens declare the glory of God and I would say that whatever is up there
declares the glory of God." Frank Weston, Bishop of Knaresborough,
agreed. "I am happy with an expanding universe and I am happy with
universes beyond this one. God is an almighty creator and you can't limit
his creativity. There must be life in other ways. I am rather excited
about it."
-
- Thanks to Neil Cunningham and Tony Craddock
CSETI Web Administrator webmaster@cseti.org
|
Sightings HomePage