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Author : David Wilkinson
Publisher :
Page : 240 pages
File Size : 50,96 MB
Release : 2013-08
Category : Nature
ISBN : 0199680205
This book is about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, taking seriously the current scientific arguments and its implications for religion.
Author : David A. Weintraub
Publisher : Springer
Page : 229 pages
File Size : 26,78 MB
Release : 2014-07-16
Category : Religion
ISBN : 3319050567
In the twenty-first century, the debate about life on other worlds is quickly changing from the realm of speculation to the domain of hard science. Within a few years, as a consequence of the rapid discovery by astronomers of planets around other stars, astronomers very likely will have discovered clear evidence of life beyond the Earth. Such a discovery of extraterrestrial life will change everything. Knowing the answer as to whether humanity has company in the universe will trigger one of the greatest intellectual revolutions in history, not the least of which will be a challenge for at least some terrestrial religions. Which religions will handle the discovery of extraterrestrial life with ease and which will struggle to assimilate this new knowledge about our place in the universe? Some religions as currently practiced appear to only be viable on Earth. Other religions could be practiced on distant worlds but nevertheless identify both Earth as a place and humankind as a species of singular spiritual religious importance, while some religions could be practiced equally well anywhere in the universe by any sentient beings. Weintraub guides readers on an invigorating tour of the world’s most widely practiced religions. It reveals what, if anything, each religion has to say about the possibility that extraterrestrial life exists and how, or if, a particular religion would work on other planets in distant parts of the universe.
Author : D.W. Pasulka
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 304 pages
File Size : 32,51 MB
Release : 2019-01-18
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 0190693495
More than half of American adults and more than seventy-five percent of young Americans believe in intelligent extraterrestrial life. This level of belief rivals that of belief in God. American Cosmic examines the mechanisms at work behind the thriving belief system in extraterrestrial life, a system that is changing and even supplanting traditional religions. Over the course of a six-year ethnographic study, D.W. Pasulka interviewed successful and influential scientists, professionals, and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who believe in extraterrestrial intelligence, thereby disproving the common misconception that only fringe members of society believe in UFOs. She argues that widespread belief in aliens is due to a number of factors including their ubiquity in modern media like The X-Files, which can influence memory, and the believability lent to that media by the search for planets that might support life. American Cosmic explores the intriguing question of how people interpret unexplainable experiences, and argues that the media is replacing religion as a cultural authority that offers believers answers about non-human intelligent life.
Author :
Publisher : BRILL
Page : 560 pages
File Size : 13,51 MB
Release : 2021-03-08
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9004435530
The Handbook of UFO Religions, edited by scholar of new religions Benjamin E. Zeller, offers the most expansive and detailed study of the persistent, popular, and global phenomenon of religious engagements with ideas about extraterrestrial life.
Author : Jörg Matthias Determann
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 289 pages
File Size : 37,38 MB
Release : 2020-09-17
Category : History
ISBN : 0755601300
The Muslim world is not commonly associated with science fiction. Religion and repression have often been blamed for a perceived lack of creativity, imagination and future-oriented thought. However, even the most authoritarian Muslim-majority countries have produced highly imaginative accounts on one of the frontiers of knowledge: astrobiology, or the study of life in the universe. This book argues that the Islamic tradition has been generally supportive of conceptions of extra-terrestrial life, and in this engaging account, Jörg Matthias Determann provides a survey of Arabic, Bengali, Malay, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu texts and films, to show how scientists and artists in and from Muslim-majority countries have been at the forefront of the exciting search. Determann takes us to little-known dimensions of Muslim culture and religion, such as wildly popular adaptations of Star Wars and mysterious movements centred on UFOs. Repression is shown to have helped science fiction more than hurt it, with censorship encouraging authors to disguise criticism of contemporary politics by setting plots in future times and on distant planets. The book will be insightful for anyone looking to explore the science, culture and politics of the Muslim world and asks what the discovery of extra-terrestrial life would mean for one of the greatest faiths.
Author : Ted F. PetersMartinezHewlett
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 503 pages
File Size : 41,60 MB
Release : 2018-07-12
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1532606397
Astrotheology: Science and Theology Meet Extraterrestrial Life looks at both ends of the telescope: the unfathomable reaches of cosmic space and the excited stirrings within the human psyche. It takes a scientist to explain what we are looking at. It takes a theologian to understand who is doing the looking. This book's scientific authors update readers on astrobiology's search for extraterrestrial life. Theologians add to the science a theological analysis of the place of space in understanding God's creative work, the prospects of sharing God's creation with extraterrestrial neighbors, and the question of whether one or many incarnations are required for cosmic redemption. Finally, these scholars lay the foundations for an ethic of space exploration. This book introduces a comprehensive astrotheology with an accompanying astroethic.
Author : Joel L. Parkyn
Publisher : Lutterworth Press
Page : 349 pages
File Size : 33,48 MB
Release : 2023-08-31
Category : Religion
ISBN : 0718896688
Since antiquity, theology has frequently gone hand in hand with the study of the heavens. Speculation regarding the plurality of worlds, and the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth, has posed questions for, and been stimulated by, Christian theology. Advancements in astronomy and astrophysics now reveal a vast universe containing trillions of galaxies. Each new exoplanet discovered brings with it a new context in which to consider the place of humanity, and the role of divinity in relation to creatures. In particular, the Christian doctrines of the incarnation and redemption must be understood afresh in light of the likelihood of extraterrestrial life. In Exotheology, Joel L. Parkyn examines the twin historic developments in scientific and theological thought on extraterrestrials from antiquity to the twenty-first century. In doing so he demonstrates a consistent pattern of theological formulations that allow for a distinct relation between Christianity and extraterrestrial life, but this has so far been without sufficient resolution. Applying concepts from anthropology, psychology and sociology to putative extraterrestrials, he explores in new depth the implications of contact, and argues for a 'divine pedagogy' of potential modalities of supernatural presence and action with extraterrestrial intelligences.
Author : Gregory L. Reece
Publisher : I.B. Tauris
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 44,63 MB
Release : 2007-08-15
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN :
An irreverent look at our obsession with UFOs and little green men
Author : James R. Lewis
Publisher :
Page : 542 pages
File Size : 17,99 MB
Release : 2003
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN :
The macabre mass suicide by adherents of the Heaven's Gate Cult in 1997 was shocking and difficult to comprehend for most outsiders. Their bizarre mindset, which mixed New Age religion with belief in extraterrestrial visitation, struck many as unique. In fact, as the contributors to this intriguing study show, the belief in alien contact has had religious overtones since the first purported sighting of an unidentified flying object (UFO) in 1947. Moreover, the religious dimensions of the UFO phenomenon may be the key to understanding the widespread appeal of this modern craze. An expert in new religions, Professor James Lewis has here brought together twenty insightful articles that cover the many variations of UFO-based religions. What the contributors demonstrate is that there are persistent and salient themes underlying the diversity of beliefs centered on the UFO phenomenon. Hearkening back to theosophy, many groups have interpreted UFO sightings and alleged contacts as attempts by alien ambassadors from a more advanced civilization to bring spiritual enlightenment to Earth, where humanity is seen to be floundering in ignorance. The extraterrestrial message is usually channeled through a charismatic human leader, who then mobilizes a group around this New Age "revelation." The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO Religions discusses the histories and beliefs of prominent UFO-based sects; looks at group dynamics and other sociological factors; and presents selections from the unusual literature of the various groups. This revealing and disturbing study shows that there is much more to the UFO phenomenon than simple curiosity about the possibility of life on other planets.
Author : Jonathan M. S. Pearce
Publisher : Onus Books
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 37,59 MB
Release : 2023-05-04
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781838239152
How big is the universe? Does intelligent extraterrestrial life exist somewhere in the universe? If so, how much extraterrestrial intelligent life (ETI) might there be? And if it is there, is it moral? Would they have a religion? And what would their existence say about human religions, theology, and beliefs? In short, is the existence of ETI incompatible with the belief in God, with certain religions and their theologies? These are the questions that Pearce (a philosopher) and Adair (a scientist who has worked on SETI - the search for ETI) seek to answer in this book. They take a close aim at Christian theology, focusing on previous claims of prominent astrotheologians who claim that there are no considerable problems that ETI existence causes for their belief systems. Pearce and Adair, however, show in this wide-ranging book (that touches on science, philosophy, psychology, and theology) that Christian (and other religious) belief is indeed threatened by the existence of ETI. Would aliens be fallen creatures, requiring salvation through atonement and the resulting incarnation of God? Would one Jesus suffice, or would the universe require trillions of Jesuses, many existing simultaneously? This, and many other such questions are discussed in this engaging book that adds to the growing discipline of astrotheology (and perhaps astro-atheology). "This well-written and provocative book is a substantial contribution to studies of the societal impact of astrobiology, and especially to the new field of astrotheology." - Steven J. Dick, former NASA Chief Historian, author of Astrobiology, Discovery, and Societal Impact I love definitive treatments of a subject. This is a definitive treatment of its subject. The impact and significance to religion of even the possibility of alien civilizations is much in need of a thorough look. Pearce and Adair cover every angle, and well. - Richard Carrier, Ph.D., author of Jesus Christ from Outer Space "The breadth and depth of knowledge in Aliens and Religion are truly impressive..." - David E. Pritchard, Physics Professor of Physics, MIT, and editor of Alien Discussions "An invaluable and highly entertaining resource for science fiction writers and readers alike, for both believers and skeptics, and anyone who enjoys wrestling with high-end thought experiments." - David Fitzgerald, author of The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion Series "This is an impressive work! It's an ingenious attempt to reach believers who are otherwise impervious to reason, which has a good chance of succeeding. Bravo!" - John Loftus, author of God and Horrendous Suffering and The Case Against Miracles "...thoughtful, erudite, and deep dive... Highly recommended for anyone who has ever found themselves wondering about the possibilities hidden among the stars, and about what might happen if those possibilities came to Earth." - Eric Vanden Eykel, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Forrest S. Williams Teaching Chair in Humanities, Ferrum College