Would Finding Alien Life Change Religious Philosophies?

[Cary]

11. Yes, and more

There is a fascinating discussion about the fact that we have exactly the right amount of dark matter in our universe. I'm actually not sure it's dark matter as my recollection of the exact discussion isn't as sharp as I want it to be. Anyway, if there were any more or any less our universe, and us, would be much different. So how do we come to have the exact amount of this? For that matter our earth is exactly the right distance from the sun to support life. How does that happen?

One possible explanation is not just "on par with believing god exists" but exactly that. It isn't the one I buy, by the way.

Another possible explanation is that there are an infinite number of universes and we are in one where there is exactly the right amount of dark matter and in which our planet is in the exact right orbit. Of course since there are an infinite number of universes there are also an infinite number of universes where there is exactly the right amount of dark matter, and where our planet is in the exact right orbit. And of course there are an infinite number of universes where the opposite conditions exist.

On another level we have advanced beyond the point where we experience the world only through our 5 senses, but it only stands to reason that our experience is still something other than reality. After all, we are mostly nothing so our whole existence is an illusion. Further we really still have very little understanding of our own incorporal essence.

Paradoxically, given our current knowledge base, the "belief that aliens exist is on par with believing god exists" is, in and of itself, on par with believing god exists. And also paradoxically our current knowledge base is that the universe is far more complex and bizarre than any creation story concocted by ancients.

But that, if you think about it, is only logical.