There does seem to be a bad tendency among sci-fi writers to assume that the first discovery of an extraterrestrial microbe would make religious people the world over curl up in a corner and weep.
That and religion is apparently the antithesis of science. Just because a person believes in a higher power doesn't mean that they vehemently oppose the scientific method and/or are luddites. There are many scientists that are professed Christians, for example.
True, but believing in a higher power isn't necessarily the same thing as following a particular religion either. One can believe in the presence of a God without believing anything written in some ancient text is historically accurate. Those who are 'truly devote' religious and follow their faith hook-line and sinker will likely be more effected by such discoveries. Even if there are christian scientists I find it hard to believe anyone who believes a man stored two of all species on a giant boat or lived in the belly of a whale are the same type of people who willingly embrace science and technology and value facts over all others. There's a lot of really ridiculous stuff in the religious texts.
Personally I feel it takes more faith to believe in the bible then it does to actually believe in a God. Just believing in God only asks you to accept that there exists something you cannot prove, really. Where as believing in something like, say, the bible, asks you to believe in all these things that are contradicted by facts. One is clearly a larger suspension of belief than the other.
I'm going to regret posting in this though, I suspect, since religion is such a sensitive topic with so many people. I'm a little surprised BioWare gave as many details about it in the lore that they did, even. I always suspected Ashley's character was tossed in specifically to counter that, really. Also interesting they removed that content of her asking Shepard about it in ME3 - I suppose him saying "nope, saw nothing" would had been too much like them saying "your belief isn't real". Better not to even touch the subject.
I am very confused by these comments. With the discovery of pagan aliens, all the Christian sects would be attempting to send missionaries to preach the gospel to all these new-found heathen, although I doubt any Asari, Turian, Salarian or Krogan would pay them any attention. A few disillusioned Hanar who found out from Javik what the Protheans really think of them might convert but the rest would probably find Christianity, Islam and Judaism too restrictive. Most other human religions don't go looking for converts. I wonder what they would have to say if a human woman married an Asari and wanted a church wedding since the union would be fruitful.
That and religion is apparently the antithesis of science. Just because a person believes in a higher power doesn't mean that they vehemently oppose the scientific method and/or are luddites. There are many scientists that are professed Christians, for example.
Yeah.
It is helpful to just view religion as a code, with spiritual foundations.
When the code doesn't conflict with science (and its own code and thus methods), then there is really little problem.
But when the code does conflict with science, well, you have a logic error.
The person has to decide what is more important to them at that point - something with less proof but affirms themselves more, or something with more proof but increases uncertainty about the world.
Or they just compartmentalize. Science is good for this (say, evolution), but their religion is good for that (say, personal growth). This is weird to me, but okay, because if humans were not able to compartamentalize, they'd go insane much easier.
Out of this compartmentalization, however, can come some form of compromise. This is how some can be very spiritual and very scientific at the same time. Out of this may come the craziest ideas, but that doesn't mean they're wrong.
Mass Effect starts playing around with this with the Omega Point symbolism, imo. According to the Omega Point idea, mankind eventually advances enough to create God. God eventually comes around and creates us, who dream of Him and end up creating Him.. Thus both ideas of technology and ideas of spirituality are agreed with to some extent. This is a kind of compromise that can work in our minds, even if its also something that we have to work without proof on.
Many scientists are agnostic or athiest - disproportionally so. However, many scientists do have spiritual parts of themselves. They just may not agree with the conflicting code of religions, or at least agree less than fundamentalists.
Mordin was actually a good example. He is clearly atheist, not religious, but his respect for some religions was high enough that he could practically be called a follower... of sorts. He just didn't tend to assume wisdom on fellow mortals, but instead on more universal concepts that may guide us all. His replacement, Paddok Wiks, is even more blatantly 'New Age'. Again, as long as one can compartmentalize the concepts of religion and/or spirituality, and atheism and/or science, one can believe in both. Just probably in different or more rare ways that others might have.
I am very confused by these comments. With the discovery of pagan aliens, all the Christian sects would be attempting to send missionaries to preach the gospel to all these new-found heathen, although I doubt any Asari, Turian, Salarian or Krogan would pay them any attention. A few disillusioned Hanar who found out from Javik what the Protheans really think of them might convert but the rest would probably find Christianity, Islam and Judaism too restrictive. Most other human religions don't go looking for converts. I wonder what they would have to say if a human woman married an Asari and wanted a church wedding since the union would be fruitful.
As a Catholic I would like to point out that there is nothing preventing a human-alien marriage. I will point out that it is not required -- though highly recommended -- that alien devote herself or himself to God, but remember an alien could get baptized if they wished. Humanity is most likely destined to branch out into the heavens -- space -- and all forms of life are welcome -- as long as they are not hostile.
Regardless of religion, I just know some humans will want to throw in their two cents. Mainly that evil news group called Fox News.
As a Catholic I would like to point out that there is nothing preventing a human-alien marriage. I will point out that it is not required -- though highly recommended -- that alien devote herself or himself to God, but remember an alien could get baptized if they wished. Humanity is most likely destined to branch out into the heavens -- space -- and all forms of life are welcome -- as long as they are not hostile.
Regardless of religion, I just know some humans will want to throw in their two cents. Mainly that evil news group called Fox News.
I've always wondered how you Catholics (or Christians in general) got over the fact that God chose a team a long time ago, and that team proceeded to kill God's child.
Not trying to instill antisemitism here, don't get me wrong. But your God chose His team a long time ago, and you're not a part of it.
I've always wondered how you Catholics (or Christians in general) got over the fact that God chose a team a long time ago, and that team proceeded to kill God's child.
Not trying to instill antisemitism here, don't get me wrong. But your God chose His team a long time ago, and you're not a part of it.
So while some religions may survive, I doubt that the people who practice Christianity, for example, would adhere to anywhere close to the same theistic beliefs that modern Christians do - except in a general sense.
I don't know, I think that Christianity would survive extraterrestrial contact and remain relatively the same. The underlying concept of the Trinity of God (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) and the Trinity of man (We are spirits, that have souls, and live in a body) could easily accommodate alien life.
Having a spirit or a soul could be attributed to possessing sentience and free will, in fact BioWare themselves brushed the subject (broadly) with the Geth and the whole "Does this unit have a soul?" Christianity's fundamental basis of being 'saved' is ultimately making a choice. The choice to believe what it teaches, or to not believe it. Any sentient lifeform could just as easily fall into that category.
Anyway, when it comes to dealing with religion in video game sci-fi settings, I personally found the Sword of the Stars universe to be the most neutral about it, while still acknowledging its presence in the various (human and alien) societies.
For example: There is a mention of an alien believer becoming an ordained Catholic Priest in one of the lore excerpts.
Chose a team? What are you talking about?
I'm guessing he is referring to the Bible where it states that the Jews are the chosen people of God.
I'm guessing he is referring to the Bible where it states that the Jews are the chosen people of God.
True the Bible does state that Jewish are holy, but do not forget Romans 11:18.
A lovely verse there Larry.
A lovely verse there Larry.
Years ago someone made a brilliant post detailing the religions of all the Mass Effect species. I've been trying to find it for over a year now, but I'll keep looking for it and post it here if I come across it, though it may have been lost in the move from BSN to the new forum.
Earth religions would almost certainly survive contact with an alien species.
Is Pope Francis willing to go to extremes to fill the pews? Apparently so, if his latest outreach message is an indication.
Speaking on Monday during the homily at his daily morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta inside Vatican City where he lives, he told his mostly clerical audience that they should keep an open mind to anyone—or anything—seeking God. “If—for example—tomorrow an expedition of Martians came, and some of them came to us, here... Martians, right? Green, with that long nose and big ears, just like children paint them... And one says, ‘But I want to be baptized!’ What would happen?” he asked parishioners. “When the Lord shows us the way, who are we to say, ‘No, Lord, it is not prudent! No, let’s do it this way...’”
One assumes the pope doesn’t actually think an alien ship filled with little green men hoping to convert to Catholicism will land in St. Peter’s Square any time soon, and Vatican Radio quickly interpreted the message as one about “inclusion” lest anyone start worrying about the Holy Father’s faculties. Apparently the Pope’s message about Martians meant, “Who are we to close the doors to the Holy Spirit?” according to an an article attributed to Vatican Radio on the Vatican’s main news website. “The Spirit blows where it wills, but one of the most common temptations of those who have faith is to bar its path and drive it in one direction or another.”
Francis is not the first Vatican insider to toy with the idea of alien life. In 2008, Father Jose Gabriel Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, told L’Osservatore Romano that “believing in the possible existence of extraterrestrial life is not opposed to Catholic doctrine” in an article entitled “The Alien is my Brother.” He said that since astronomers—even Catholic ones—believe that the universe is made up of 100 billion galaxies, so it is not reasonable to discount that some could have planets. “How could it not be left out that life developed elsewhere?” he pondered in the article. “As a multiplicity of creatures exist on earth, so there could be other beings, also intelligent, created by God. This does not contrast with our faith because we cannot put limits on the creative freedom of God. [According to] Saint Francis, if we consider earthly creatures as ‘brother’ and ‘sister,’ why cannot we also speak of an ‘extraterrestrial brother’? It would therefore be a part of creation.”
Pope Francis Would Baptize Aliens
That's just one of the world's major religions, but I imagine that most would hold similar views.
A real-life religion thread on this forum? BSN please...
As a Catholic I am a little curious. Pope Francis did say that aliens can be baptized, an humanity is destined to branch out into the heavens
Ego level: over 9000.
A real-life religion thread on this forum? BSN please...
Ego level: over 9000.
Gladiatorium might need some scoff drops.Just stating facts.
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