NASA used religious experts to predict how humans may react to aliens

A program funded partially by NASA involved approximately two dozen theologians who researched how humans might react to the discovery of intelligent life on other planets. The Rev. Dr. Andrew Davison from the University of Cambridge was one of the theologians involved in this NASA-sponsored program, which took place at the Center for Theological Inquiry at Princeton University from 2016 to 2017.

Davison and his colleagues examined how major world religions would respond to the existence of extraterrestrial life. His focus was on the relationship between astrobiology and Christian theology, particularly exploring the theological implications of discovering life elsewhere in the universe.

According to Will Storrar, the director of the Center for Theological Inquiry, NASA's goal was to encourage serious scholarly research on the profound implications of finding microbial life on another planet.

Davison's research delved into questions surrounding Christology (the study of Jesus as both human and divine) and the doctrine of creation, particularly how it relates to themes of diversity and multiplicity. He emphasized the need to move beyond traditional religious texts and incorporate a broader range of materials and perspectives into the theological discussion on extraterrestrial life.

Davison's upcoming book, "Astrobiology and Christian Doctrine," is expected to cover some of his work in collaboration with NASA. In his book, Davison suggests that a large number of people would turn to their religious traditions for guidance if the discovery of alien life were ever made. He believes it is essential to consider the theological implications of such a discovery, even if it might not happen for many years or possibly never.

NASA's Astrobiology program partially funded this research through a grant to the Center for Theological Inquiry in 2015, with the agency-funded portion concluding in 2017. NASA was not directly involved in selecting the researchers for this study.

Full article: https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/587480-nasa-hired-religious-experts-to-predict-how-humans/

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