Paul Davies - Would Intelligent Aliens Undermine God?

Whether alien intelligences exist has profound implications for religion. We are either alone or not alone in the universe, but no matter the ultimate answer, theists and atheists will each mold that answer to fit their opposing worldviews. How would theists explain a universe teeming with life or a barren universe of only us? How would the atheist?
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Paul Davies is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and astrobiologist.
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Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[@philcarter2362]

Paul Davies, I have been reading your books for years and I have to say that you are one of the most wise and open minded physicists I have ever encountered. God bless you.

[@parismetro2012]

Paul Davies ~ my favourite guest to date on this channel

[@josephguzman4737]

Christianity way around the existence of extraterrestrials is by labeling them as demons.

[@teeniequeenie8369]

Its ridiculous and i feel limits Gods marvel…

[@user-jt5ot4hy9q]

We're too egocentric and demanding to make good pets. Hopefully, they'll treat us like a nature reserve--perhaps a place to study a late barbaric phase of evolution.

[@kevinfisher466]

the aliens are not a threat. the government is always the threat to its people.

[@infinitemonkey917]

I think even finding simple bacteria on a moon of Jupiter or Saturn would be further indication of the ridiculousness of Christianity and other world religions.

[@simplicityistheultimatesop6571]

Not all religions are equal.

[@rtoma1974]

@@simplicityistheultimatesop6571 All religions are equally bunk.

[@simplicityistheultimatesop6571]

@@rtoma1974 you wish.

[@stevenp6761]

Buddhism is perfectly happy with other species out there. It is just awareness manifesting in different forms. In fact, there is a less known Buddhist text claiming that there is one civilisation on the “northern” part of our galaxy who has contact with us, but they currently leave us alone (probably to develop). These texts also claim that this civilisation will return in an “iron wheel” or “iron disc”. True or not, I cannot say, but this “iron disc” thing is pretty strange coincidence with our modern idea of flying saucers.

[@senglim2911]

In some suttas there were mentions of extraterrestrial sentient beings visiting Buddha. And notably the wish for all sentient beings to be well, happy and peaceful.

[@hoangtoonnt]

Ikr, he is truly the only "fully enlightened one". i find all of his teaching to be extremely precise, from the reality of the universe we live in to the only way to achieve Nirvana (although practically no other human will ever achieve it). My theory is that history characters like Jesus or Muhamad were actually some partly-enlightened one who has some insight of reality but not at its fullness. The Buddha frequently talk about those stages of awakening.

[@senglim2911]

@@hoangtoonnt Yes. Jesus might be a once returner in Buddhist parlance who is the Messiah or Matreiya who has one more birth on earth before full enlightenment. Anyway, there are contraversies as to the reason for his return. And he might not be Christian at all.

[@hoangtoonnt]

@@senglim2911 another scary part is those aliens and ufos we are currently talking about might just well be the "devas" in buddha teaching. If so its totally make sense for me. Aliens or not they are still normal biology creatures, which mean they are in the same "consciuousness universe". Although they reportedly have much higher consciousness than human, they are still in birth-rebirth cycle, affected by "samsara" law... For that reason they should not be a threat to human.

[@nisvids8549]

While I enjoyed this video, an important point about Islam has been misunderstood. Islam actually predicts the existence of extraterrestrial life: “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and of whatever living creatures (daabbah) He has spread forth in both. And He has the power to gather them together whenever he pleases.” Holy Quran, 42:30

[@reembagadi7875]

Agreed

[@senglim2911]

Only Allah truly what is meant by that. No one can truly know. Perhaps Allah is referring to the 7 heaven wherein it resides.

[@odiupickusclone-1526]

Only serious people talk about aliens, you have to be really smart not to figure out how incredibly clever you are...If you don't get it read again, or rather replay this one of a kind video, every time you watch it again you will become smarter than before, no doubts about that...

[@justwallace]

The discovery of Aliens will make the Religious realise they are not special.

[@gowdsake7103]

They will probably invent some other devil

[@simpleguy38]

The question of God exists or not will still be unsolved.

[@justwallace]

True on both accounts 😆

[@danielpaulson8838]

They will figure out a way to evolve their religion around that as usual. They'll simply say something like, "the aliens are created by Satan" or some such stuff and call them evil sinners. You know, like theists do.

[@justwallace]

The same way they evolved it from the earth is flat to globe symbols on their posters yet they killed people back in the day for saying stuff like that.

[@thai2500]

One of the best known Christian theologians of the 20th century, C.S.Lewis viewed the potential of intelligent alien life as being absolutely no threat to Christianity in the least. I agree.

[@rtoma1974]

It would totally contradict Christianity.

[@thai2500]

@@rtoma1974 How so?

[@thegreatrestoration6784]

@@rtoma1974 I agree. Because Christianity teaches us that we are the only beings who know the difference between right and wrong. We are the only ones who have a soul that will be judged.

[@piehound]

Jolly good discussion. Thumbs up.

[@willyh.r.1216]

Human God could be one of these advanced Aliens. And the God of all Aliens might not even exist.

[@NeoStoicism]

then what started the big bang?

[@willyh.r.1216]

@@NeoStoicism Nothing.

[@simpleguy38]

Problem lies when someone compared God with anthropomorphic God

[@willyh.r.1216]

@@simpleguy38 Right, Spinoza's God can be revisited for instance.

[@consciousexplorer8118]

Regarding his point about advanced races erasing the malevolent genes from their race: how much is nature and how much is nurture? We know that environment and early years of child plays a great role in their personality. Second, from an idealist perspective, the experience of each individual mind - or alter of the universal consciousness - is linked to the evolution of universal consciousness, therefore we should aim to learn from dealing with malevolent expressions rather than eliminate them genetically. In other words, a utopian world devoid of learning through negative expressions may be purposeless.

[@ziggyfreud5357]

Some philosophers foster such proposals - not without merit IMO

[@pauls2613]

ok, but this guy doesnt understand that physics can possibly change in how we think about it in different places and dimensions... but he glosses over that.

[@giannidematteo2596]

Interestingly, Christian writers have addressed Paul Davies' challenge. For example, the 19th Century English preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Christ's redemption was so plenteous, that had God willed it, if all the stars of heaven had been peopled with sinners, Christ need not have suffered another pang to redeem them all--there was a boundless value in his precious blood" (Spurgeon, C. H., Sermon no. 285. From 365 Days with CH Spurgeon, Vol. 1). Although considered a cult by many, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its theology maintains that the battle between good and evil takes place against a cosmic backdrop--involving all sentient life in the universe. They refer to this as the Great Controversy. They maintain that Lucifer (Satan) and his angels have rebelled against God and persuaded Adam and Eve to join them in their rebellion, placing all of their descendants (us) under the curse of sin. However, an onlooking universe of unfallen worlds takes keen interest in the outcome of the Great Controversy, for it reveals the character of God and the character of Lucifer, dispelling all doubt about whose claims carry greater legitimacy. For Seventh-day Adventists, Christ's death on the cross saved humanity from its sin and put to rest any doubts the unfallen worlds may have had about the true character of God, which the cross revealed to be self-sacrificial love, and the true character of Lucifer and sin. Thus, Christ's atonement for sin on earth held cosmic significance. Curiously, the cofounder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White, wrote an account of a vision she had of another world inhabited by sentient beings: "The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city [from context, The New Jerusalem in Heaven] to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, 'We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.' Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city [the New Jerusalem in Heaven]. The fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had the power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me, 'None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall'" (White, E. G., 1882, Early Writings. 39.3). We must take into consideration that Ellen G. White presents this as a vision. In other words, her body was here on earth, and she claims God showed her in a vision or dream a view of another world. What does that mean? Assuming that wings are efficacious means of traveling from the heavenly city to other worlds, and somehow she really did see an actual world populated with sentient beings, does that mean that the being she spoke to would have any recollection of their conversation? If I had a vision about you talking to me, would you know about it? If we view religious visions as a literary genre, we must admit that they purport to reveal otherworldly truths in terms (mostly) understandable to their recipients. Is a vision of heaven or another world the same as what one would see actually visiting heaven or another world? Perhaps, or perhaps "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love him" (Saint Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:9).

[@charlesblithfield6182]

The spontaneous formation of RNA on basaltic glass, recently discovered, speaks to the ubiquitousness of life in the universe. Life is not stupendously rare but common.

[@TristanTris321GoT]

Intellectual purity brings us to the conclusion that we don’t know. Science will push the boundaries forward and religion will evolve with it as a passenger.

[@johnbro6261]

This was one of the more enlightening presentations that I have seen. Consider if the Second Coming of Jesus Christ was intrinsically a respect for miracles, with alien beings as an integral part in the expansion of spiritual knowledge.

[@ziggyfreud5357]

Excellent point - been likewise considering

[@senglim2911]

I think the second coming is in relation to Jesus's last birth before becoming fully enlightened. In other words Jesus is considered a Bodhisattva or Buddha to be. Yes, Buddhahood is for anyone who practices the noble eightfold path

[@jeffamos9854]

Would intelligent cat’s undermine god ?

[@somethingyousaid5059]

Cats are not given enough credit. Maybe.

[@thegoodlistenerslistenwell2646]

Monkeys know sign language, and have by their accord described their mom dying. While crying.

[@935pm2]

I haven't seen a cat undermine a god, but I've seen a cat undermine a dog. It was pretty impressive.

[@lynnpoole7830]

How could a cat undermine a myth?

[@thegoodlistenerslistenwell2646]

@@lynnpoole7830 simple, you just write it down. Metaphysical problem? Metaphysical solutions.

[@vikramdharma2958]

Aliens intelligent than homosapiens would appreciate and revere God more than us because their enhanced intelligence and refined wisdom will help them to realise that it is impossible to create LIFE and UNIVERSE without the help of Omnipotent and Omniscient GOD.

[@eidiazcas]

🙄

[@jimmybrice6360]

i dont think theologians need to think about it at all, cuz it has no effect on us at all

[@simplicityistheultimatesop6571]

50-57. The creation of the heavens and the earth is certainly greater than the re-creation of humankind, but most people do not know 41:53 We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness? And the signs are many. 42:29: And of his signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent. 27:87 : And [warn of] the Day the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will be terrified except whom Allah wills. And all will come to Him humbled.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Jeremy England also studies how life is a spontaneous product of entropic processes. Combine that with the finding of spontaneous production of RNA on basaltic glass and one concludes that maybe life isn’t such a chance random event.

[@susanmaddison5947]

A quantum generated multiverse could inevitably generate many universes with life. That could create 3 theological options: 1. The quantum flux equations might flow somehow from inherent eternal logic and need no cause. 2. The quantum equations might be generated by an inchoate will for existence, a divine Hieddegger. 3. Ditto, but by a conscious divinity.

[@2010sunshine]

I agree with Paul Davies.. Abrahamic religions may have a problem to explain extra-terrestrial life.. Hindu cosmology doesn't have problems. In fact, there are verses in Vedas which state that our Universe was created by Brahma, who has four faces. There are other Universes created by Brahmas with more and lesser number of faces. The Universes created by Brahmas with more number of faces are bigger and better. This Vaishnavite sect of Hinduism states that ultimate God (Vishnu) is one, who is hierarchically higher than all Brahmas.

[@themechanictangerine4337]

The guy started with a lie. Giordano Bruno was not burned at the stake for his cosmic pluralism, that is the believe that stars were other suns that had planets of their own and that could foster life. He was sentenced to death for denying several core Catholic doctrines like the trinity, the divinity of Christ, etc.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

There can be little doubt that extraterrestrial life is probable, but where it exists, is it intelligent and has consciousness like ours?

[@zac53659]

Exactly, what if we find hundreds and hundreds of other forms of life out there but none of them are complex or self aware as we are. That I think is the most likely it’s also the one that would give Christianity the least amount of trouble theologically.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

@@zac53659 The theological challenge to Christianity of finding "new intelligent life forms" has, in a sense, happened many times in the history of christianity. Imagine all your known world was Europe and you became aware of tribes of people completely alien to you. They have their own gods, history, cultures, etc. The church faced that many times and each time they found new people, they felt it their duty to evangelise them and make converts. I agree they tend to side-step the theological questions raised by societies outside the orbit of the Judeo-Christian traditions. Are the people of the pre-Christian era saved? Should we discover intelligent life forms on other planets, I guess the church will view them as needing to be converted as well.

[@zac53659]

@@Zerpentsa6598 yeah your absolutely probably right. Lol. That is to say yes if the case is there are other intelligent beings, depending on how similar or different they are, the majority of the church would probably take that approach. John 3:16 says Whosoever. Doesn’t say only humans. But my point was and what I would find more reasonable and likely is that there are other forms of life out in the universe but none of it is conscious or self aware as we are. Instead it would all be simple life forms, only as complex as animals. That would mean humans are still special and Christianity would still be theologicaly sound but you would also have life as a building block of the universe. It’s just another idea that was not discussed in the video. A middle ground so to speak.

[@julianmann6172]

The probability of any life arising at random is so low that life can only exist anywhere if G-D created it. Thus the issue depends on G-D's will and not on the number of stars and planets in the universe.

[@tyamada21]

A piece from a new book titled: Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within... Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing. The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law which allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists. Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication. For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything. NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us. To understand the meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo even more, I sincerely recommend that you read Tina Turner's new book: Happiness Becomes You.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIOYdZenn7KrnaM Let go, and let God - Olivia Newton-John Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Let go, and let God - Olivia Newton-John Nam Myoho Renge Kyo www.youtube.com

[@senglim2911]

If continuous chanting of the Mantra leads to enlightenment, then a parrot taught to chant has better chance of reaching Nirvana before you and I.

[@tyamada21]

@@senglim2911Going by your response it probably would if it was competing with you. What a ridiculous response. Do you actually think before you respond/? It sure doesn't look like it. LOL

[@farhadfaisal9410]

There is the alternative possibility that primitive molecular form of life appeared in some place in the vast universe and dispersed elsewhere (including on earth) through cosmic projectiles, like the meteorites etc., that could (and should) be expected also on earth.

[@williamstorage3747]

Surprised to see Paul get a matter of fact so wrong. Giordano Bruno was definitely not burned at the stake for asserting life existed on other planets. His crime, as the intolerant church saw it, was heretical views on the divinity of Jesus.

[@markfindlay8636]

How can you undermine something that doesn't exist ?

[@sammysam2615]

If there is intelligent life in the universe other than ourselves, we can suppose they may or may believe in a Deity/God, but it's absolutely ridiculous that they may believe in exactly the same Deity/God as any of the Earth's religions. So to undermine God, is to delude oneself into inflate confirmation bias

[@gregbrown5020]

Of course

[@surapunwongopasi4666]

The Old Bible says God created the sky, the moon and the sun, the oceans, the earth, the animals, and a couple of humans named Adam and Eve in just 7 days. And as the Christians claim that all the stories and writings in the Bible are the absolute truths that cannot be challenged. I once asked a friend of mine who is a pastor that if God really created mankind the same time He created the earth and other creatures, then why the history of modern humans only dates back a few million years while the history of the earth dates back a few billion years, and why the Bible never mentions pre-historic creatures like the dinosaurs which archaeologists have discovered their fossils. Perhaps people in the old days like over 500 years ago when science has not flourished could be more easily convinced by the overly simplified history of the earth and mankind. Now if extra-terrestrials do exist and perhaps in more planets than we can discover, how can Christianity uphold its claim that their mighty God was the one who created everything on earth? This is why any significant findings or proofs of extra-terrestrials in recent years have been suppressed, ignored, and banned from mainstream media. In my opinion, religions especially those which believe in the mighty God, are some convenient decoys created by men in power to rule people in ancient times.

[@fffantasticboom]

I love professor Davies, and though this is only a tangential point, he is entirely wrong about the cause of Bruno’s execution. Rather than printing the details, I’ll point out that Bruno’s Wikipedia page is substantially accurate. For a more pop treatment, the historian Tim O’Neill has written about it in his way that is as entertaining as it is researched.

[@fffantasticboom]

I would also add that there are entirely different solutions to this proposed quandary Davies envisions. Part of the problem is his characterization of Christian soteriology, always referring to the vague “being saved”. If we specify the notion, more solutions become, I think, rather obvious (though it seems to me they were obvious enough before that specification). The essential point at which he is vague is “salvation from WHAT?”. If we define salvation as being “redeemed from sin” (itself vague enough to inspire centuries of disagreement), from having disobeyed God’s requirements, then it could be that God never PUT such requirements on an alternate species, or even that, as professor Davies himself anticipates, that they are morally perfect and haven’t refused any of the requirements. It could be that his requirements on them are adequately easy and that it is perfectly clear to them that obedience leads to their own happiness. If we define salvation as “redemption from mortality”, from the entropic effects of matter, it could be that God just GIVES immortality to them (when he gives isnt a concern, whether during their lives or after their deaths, an ultimate but posthumous redemption as Christians affirm). Davies anticipates “other mechanisms”, but why couldn’t one of those mechanisms be a simple fiat declaration? I consider Paul Davies to be on the more philosophically competent end of physicists, but this is one of unfortunately seemingly innumerable examples of where the best in that discipline woefully underperform their professional philosophical counterparts when it comes to inherently philosophical questions…questions that so many physicists take up fearlessly.

[@stevecoley8365]

For the hostile evangelical vampires (greed) to comprehend good (god)...is like giant black holes in space trying to comprehend the stars (light and warmth) that they suck out of heaven (joy, beauty and harmony).

[@vjnt1star]

Intelligent aliens or not one still has to explain why is there a universe in the first place? "God did it" is not an acceptable answer but the question then becomes why is there a god in the first place?

[@senglim2911]

Creator God is merely a human concept to explain its existence. While there are more evidence of the supernatural, UFO's and extraterrestrials.

[@fluentpiffle]

They would say, ‘What a strange and unnecessary idea! - Here, learn something of value..’ spaceandmotion

[@laurenth7187]

So i will tell you. If we are alone or not, that's not the question, since Aliens would be like us. We are alone in regards to aliens, we are not alone regarding our families, and/or Fate, or Providence, or God, Art, History, Time. The true "Other", or Alter, which makes us feel safe, or scarred, or existing, etc must be Other (not like us), and belongs only to our psychology (cf Lacan, le grand Autre) Aliens would only be small others. And in general, before looking for answer outside of our planet one should understand this one planet, and these our (short) lives. And never ask a physician.

[@markuspfeifer8473]

Regarding the end there: Criminality has only in exceptional cases biological roots. In most cases, the causes are social. If you want to get rid of criminality by genetic modification, your only way will be to make people super accepting of unnecessary pain and misery in a wealthy society that could provide for all. I hope I didn’t just discover what the great filter really is. On the other hand, already Rosa Luxemburg was on to it when she said: „It‘ll be socialism or barbarism.“ She only didn’t know what technological possibilities for barbarism would emerge.

[@suatustel746]

1981 movie 'Escape from Newyork' that's why we're here... Undesirables have been dumped here, by their courtesy we're given a few toys to play with..

[@Mumukshatvam]

Well Indian cultures have concepts of extra terrestrial life. Devas, Asuras, Yaksha and Gandhravas. There are three categories of world and total 14 habitable planets/commets mentioned

[@alexvolkmann4409]

I know that the possibility of extraterrestrial life existing or not existing was discussed in this video, but what about the possibility of life existing in so-called extra dimensions, or parallel universes, or in extra frequencies that our human senses and man-made devices haven't been able to detect yet? Could there maybe be intelligent life existing among us right here on earth in an extra dimension or frequency?

[@ericjohnson6665]

Robert needs to talk to Dr. Steven Greer, who is already in contact with alien life...

[@havenbastion]

No, not even necessarily specific gods. If you claim Christianity for instance, "other sheep have i who are not of this fold" is sufficient. But let's talk about why asking things about god is irrelevant and why theology is attempting to explain the impossible in terms of the improbable. God is real as a concept in mind and there are as many versions as there are people who have thought about it. All of those versions contain impossible, mutually exclusive, ineffable, or otherwise untestable attributes and are therefore indistinguishable from fiction. ..and should be treated accordingly.

[@helderalmeida3417]

I didn't know that jesus was God I always thought he and we are part of God light. I don't know what religion he's referring too because christianity don't believe that God is jesus at least here in Europe unless America has a different Christianity religion compared to us Europeans

[@sony5244]

Beautiful programme

[@delhibill]

Angels are part of Judeo-Christian theologies. Could they represent beings beyond human? I am surprised this was not considered.

[@9snaga]

Dread it, run from it, alien life exists.........somewhere.

[@nahCmeR]

Pussy

[@nicka.papanikolaou9475]

Well argued by Paul but I wold offer an equally rational counterargument: If we are the only one or one of only a handful of sentient beings in the galaxy, let alone the Universe, then I would argue that even though we are unique this in no way implies that we are a fluke of chance. Why? Well, because there are several cosmic worlds that are different even though they are part of the same cosmos. For example, look at the planets in our Solar system, each one is unique with its own cosmic yet they all were formed by the same principles that -though differing in details- pertain and govern the formation of planets, suns etc. Therefore, while these arguments are rational, they are just speculations that we must avoid taking for plausible or even possible! Until we discover such beings! Thank you for these videos Mr. Kuhn.

[@velvetrest4566]

The “anecdote” you supplied in your “for example” is so tarnished. Youre trying to emphasize physical differences that are purely perceptual. You’re implying light is random, but light carries information about what something is made of and ALL the planets in our solar system are made of the same stuff in varying proportions and amounts that give them different colors but nonetheless are made of the “same” matter fundamentally. The same laws the brought them into being also guide the description of the type matter theyre made of.

[@velvetrest4566]

In other words, The universe may be big but its made of the same stuff….the whole periodic table. Theres no such thing as “earth elements”, the periodic table represents ALL kinds of forms ( nuclei ) matter can take in the universe

[@TheWayofFairness]

Explain the extreme stupidity of humanity.

[@S3RAVA3LM]

Lack of Spirit. So ego is all that's to be fulfilled and in fulfilling by seeking desire -- never ending. In Spirit you are already complete.

[@amysson5151]

“...higher consciousness of an entity...”

[@gr33nDestiny]

I think it’s more important if you believe our universe is infinite vs belief in alien as belief in infinite implies alien

[@Beevreeter]

Paul Davies has interesting views on the nature of other intelligent beings (supposing they exist... ) We can only fervently hope he is right!

[@AdeelKhan1]

From a symposium held in 1975. Panelists include Prof. Carl Sagan. I forget who said this on the panel, but basically the approximations using Drake's equations were in the millions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYLIgKNtlp2Eg6s More recently, Prof. Bryan Cox (via the Joe Rogan show) has hypothesized that there is probably 1 civilization per galaxy. Even with the lowest possible estimates (1 per galaxy) that's still 2 Trillion civilizations in this universe alone. I personally think there are species on different evolutionary stages in almost every single galaxy. There is probably an infinite variety in this universe alone.

[@darwinstubbie860]

I'm going with Bryan Cox's idea. One intelligent civilisation per galaxy. This makes a lot of sense. If aliens exist on other galaxies is irrelevant.

[@colors6692]

Seriously why should intelligent people give any thought to religions?

[@teeniequeenie8369]

God bless ET.

[@ketuttribayuna9607]

Think other religions (eastern religions) that have different concept of God and the universe. Crishtians and others have no problem with that.

[@tigdogsbody]

How can you undermine something that does not exist? Still no closer to the truth.

[@sharmitoboylos7585]

We could hope that maybe Jesus only needed to save US, not THEM...? That would not require the shake-up of Christianity at all, would it?

[@magnolia8626]

Just because you keep saying it's ridiculous doesn't make it so.

[@scottsozmtns7534]

I’m a Christian but; Whatever “God”, is I believe he could have made us, multiple worlds & multiple beings & maybe his plan is that we all come together one day? I don’t know. It’s possible but it could also be not possible? Maybe we as “humans”, are but 1 species in a long list of species, intelligent & otherwise? It doesn’t really matter what our place is, how many forms of life is out there or that God is exactly what the Bible says he is; or maybe he is nothing like what the Bible says? None of us know. I don’t say “You are wrong, I’m right!”, I don’t really care what you believe. I say believe what you want to believe. It’s not my place to tell 1 single person what they should do. No one has that right! To me UFO/UAP’s are real, and very possible signs that life exists elsewhere & that if “God”, created us why then couldn’t this infinitely intelligent being be capable of making complex life forms other places in the universe or other galaxies & his plan that we meet 1 day & that we all raise one another’s consciousness and bring our own particular life forms to the next step of of our own evolution? So yeah, I consider myself a Christian, conservative but also allow science to take it’s rightful place along side mankind as it is from the same place as we are. We are all from the same molecules, ingredients, etc., that make up our universe. Why is that so hard for scientist to believe that a Christian can believe in science & faith at the same time? I have a particularly high I.Q., which is my business but I am smart enough to know that the Bible was created by men, for mankind (circa 300 A.D. Council of Nicaea), & Rome adopted Christianity because it’s popularity was on the rise & pagan worship was in decline. That is a very simple truth & one that all can learn, and learn from. I know of several books/letters that were excluded from the Bible we have today, so then are they not from God because a man decided to leave them out of the Bible? No. We need to read, study & understand from our own points of view so that we may form a much more informed decision as to what we believe, what we are, why we are here & what happens when we die. Then again, what has worked for me, may not work for you.

[@magicsinglez]

No

[@laurenth7187]

First, intelligent life would mean a threat for us, because they would have passed the "struggle for life", as we have, which would have shaped their character, as is shaped ours, during the thousands of years fighting for surviving in rude conditions. So i would say it's not even worth seeking them, as they will be exactly like us, not from the appearance but regarding their mental world, their politics, societies, etc. Life is a process which leads to something similar everywhere. Well, they will NOT be ethically way ahead of us, because why would they ? They would be animals, or robots. Animals feel desires and violence, they have to prevail (darwinism) . Robots are nothing. Either their societies will be free, which implies rebellion, freedom implies violence, or they will be like the "Brave New World", not free, no free thinking. Freedom requires violence, to fight it's enemies, for example power. Their is no heaven.

[@jimmybrice6360]

animal rights and alien beings does not make me nervous in the least little bit. davies does not know what he is talking about, pure and simple

[@torcher88]

Strange talk. I don't think many Christians are losing sleep worrying about the ramifications of the discovery of aliens on their religion.

[@ferdinandkraft857]

But they should.

[@poksnee]

The idea that intelligent life is restricted to the earth is ludacris. It would be a travesty if earth intelligence was the best the universe could do. Life an accident? Is the universe an accident?

[@vanlookenroel7211]

Lets start with this , who am i?

[@kiran0511]

Nice 👍

[@waldwassermann]

Alien means Other and Otherness is an Illusion.

[@djacidkingcidguerreiro9780]

"Would Intelligent Aliens Undermine God?" What god is being referenced ? Mankind has invented hundreds upon hundreds of gods.

[@bruceylwang]

My friend, husband and wife, they were arguing God and Alien... so I ask one of them, did you ever see Alien? and, turn my head, I ask the other one, did you ever see God? They stare at me... I said, well, Alien and God could be the same person? They quit arguing.

[@ronlynquist9183]

But does it undermine fairies at the botpm of the garden?

[@neffetSnnamremmiZ]

Of course not! God is life itself, organizing itself!

[@schuey999]

Paul Davies - Man was made in God's image and we are very special to him. If God decides to only save mankind, He knows what He is doing. You do NOT. And to the host, you need to wise up.

[@Uri1000x1]

Wouldn't contact with AI machines created by aliens be more likely and Paul so-far has failed to think of that?

[@erichibler2112]

I love this channel. 😎

[@1Ratrod]

Maybe we needed to be saved because we are the most stupid amongst the ¨intelligent¨ forms of life in the universe!

[@NaturalFuture]

What's ridiculous is not that a huge number of alien planets might need a huge number of salvations, but rather that saintly aliens would need salvation.

[@goldentwilight1944]

Awesome! This conversation is more"out there" than the aliens we are looking for.

[@teraygrayabe2677]

Use are all children of the Grays who designed us and put us in this Earth zoo with grids ( grandad holy ) air 🅰️🛸👽

[@redrum377]

Why do we think life outside of our planet would be advanced? Maybe it's human just like us same DNA then Jesus died for them too. Maybe life outside of humankind could be simple and not bound By sin such as man and don't need the cross.

[@deanpiercy4855]

Aliens control All of Earth..

[@laurenth7187]

You are completely wrong. Life around the universe would not be a good new for faith and religion, because there are no god news, and because we favor tradition, stability. So every tale from an other being elsewhere would only annoy us. Mr. Paul Davies.

[@JackPetersonEnergy]

Why couldn't Jesus visit countless alien planets to save them as well? I don't think that's a silly idea at all.

[@brendanfoster7621]

Aliens are too intelligent to make up a God

[@FreedomSpirit108]

Yep they would

[@matteroffact2327]

Interesting that Paul stated that any Intelligent Life we might encounter is going to be way ahead in every aspect to what he considers is our current human state. In other words , something that would likely fall under the definition of supernatural since we would forever lack the ability to explain it's existence as shown in our own search for the origins of life which continues to allude us thru our ever increasing knowledge, which only results in more improbability or impossibility of random inanimate materials being responsible for creating all known life. I suppose if your a believer of life having been seeded on earth by these supernatural advanced beings , well then essentially you believe in an intelligent being(s) or a creator.

[@shawncarter4316]

the Bible actually addresses this question in very interesting detail. it says that higher beings have been created and they are called, angles. lol--- if you had actually read the Bible, you would have known this. You would have also known that God would not have die for fallen angels, So the Bible actually has dealt with the concept of a higher spiritual being, who rebelled against God. Besides that, who says God would have to die for any other creation? Sure the idea of God dyeing just for man is hard to understand and could be viewed as egotistical. However, the Bible actually answers the question better than the two above.

[@shawncarter4316]

by what standard would you use to say that God would have to die for any one or any creation? in other words, who or what would force God to die for anyone or any thing? where is that rule written in the Bible or any other literature? what great work is this sited in?

[@ferdinandkraft857]

Just because you found these "answers" in the Bible it doesn't mean they are correct.

[@shawncarter4316]

@@ferdinandkraft857 ​ exactly, and that is why when you site the Bible as the two did above, then you should at least be honest with what the Bible says. They grossly missed used the content of that scripture. they use nothing else as there guide, yet they cant use it right.

[@shawncarter4316]

@@ferdinandkraft857 also, I dont care what people use as their source of truth, but one better deal correctly with other sources. when the two above misrepresent and and falsely point the Bible it shows their ignorance

[@ferdinandkraft857]

@@shawncarter4316 The Bible is full of contradictions. You can always claim "misuse" of it by finding a suitable different citation.

[@robertreeves5979]

For once I wish someone would suggest the possibility that a race of technologically advanced being could be mean tyrannical bastards. So much for the same law’s governing here and out there in space.

[@allyssontube]

Gens for criminality? How stupid is that? And he calls himself a scientist.

[@zapdubiousknowsnothing4649]

Only if they were exceptionally smart aliens... wakka wakka

[@warnerbeachful]

These questions have baffled the human mind for centuries, but all is not lost. My Aunty Fritzenella Ellenbogen is very knowledgeable and knows the answer to many of these questions.. she is a very large and happy lady and bakes beautiful cakes.

[@MichaelDembinski]

Exceptionally uplifting.

[@98370alberto]

I give them credit for knowing their "science".. but they know little about the Scriptures. The may have read the Bible and understand the straightforward message but lack the "deep things of God" 1corinthians 2:10. I for one am contented in knowing the latter than the first...Peace 🙏

[@danielpaulson8838]

Yep, we've all graduated third grade Sunday school.

[@josephguzman4737]

" go red sox " - luke 21:33

[@heaven4247]

How are we going to understand the Answer. If we can't stop asking the Question.I give Up hahaha

[@AlthumbsIronfoot]

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that God has created an endless number of worlds with intelligent beings and the world was formed naturally and the 6000 years of creation refers to the universe being created spiritually before it happened naturally upon the face of the Earth. We also believe that all good science are gifts from God and for the betterment of man. Furthermore the Earth is a type of what happened on many Earths throughout the Universe. So take that thought and apply it to the Drake equation and you'll have your answer why we can't detect other civilizations.

[@AlthumbsIronfoot]

For these topics please read the Pearls of Great Price, the book of Abraham and the book of Moses.

[@faisalqureshi1596]

There is no Black n White answer if they would undermine God or not. May be they are like us.....some do some dont. Mixed results sort of stuff!

[@HardRockMiner]

What if when we do make contact the aliens also believe in God..? THEN WHAT ?!

[@rtoma1974]

Then who's "god" would you believe?

[@HardRockMiner]

@@rtoma1974 - God is God.