Comments on What happens to Earthly religions when aliens land?

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Oh dear, how disappointing I thought you were going to reflect on any kind of self-respecting aliens' reactions to the mess we have made of our planet. However logically speaking, they too might have made have created bedlam in their back-yard.

Yes, it's inconceivable that we are alone in the universe; somewhere there must be other forms of life.

posted by elinjo on February 20, 2009 at 7:13 AM | link to this | reply

Talion_ - that is very likely how first contact would go down

Then there is always the question of what the intentions of visiting aliens might be? Like why would a presumably advanced species of beings want to make friends with our species? They'd either be crazy or they would be here to rape and pillage our resources. I think of all of the movies and TV shows that have molded our perceptions of extra terrestrial contact, Independance Day probably has an inkling of probability in it.

I remember the Star Trek Next Generation episode you are speaking of. The nurse that wanted to have Reiker's baby was Bebe Neuwirth, (Lilith Crane on the TV show Cheers)

posted by gomedome on February 20, 2009 at 6:23 AM | link to this | reply

mousehop - like all religions, it started out with at least the facade of

good intentions.

But again like all religions; the founding, establishment and growth thereof, has seen it tread on the familiar ground of attaining wealth and incorporating the same old list of human shortcomings. Their creed however almost makes sense: HERE

posted by gomedome on February 20, 2009 at 6:12 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Gome, how ya doin? Just a reminder. We are the aliens...

Pat_B - our being aliens might explain a few things . . . (I'm doing fine thank you, how about yourself?)

posted by gomedome on February 20, 2009 at 6:05 AM | link to this | reply

gomedome

There was an episode of The Next Generation where the Enterprise encountered an alien culture and their mission was to determine if it was "ready" to possibly join the Federation. Riker underwent plastic surgery to appear like the aliens (all it took was adding a couple ridges along the eyebrows) and beamed down to observe them undercover. The alien society was strangely similar to late 20th century earth. Of course Riker's cover is eventually blown and that's when the fun starts. The alien government, fearing an invasion, wants to capture him, a female offers to have his baby, but the general consensus is that he must be nuts because no being could actually be from another planet. In essence, these aliens acted just like humanity would act in a similar situation.

If we ever encounter an otherworldly civilization and they look like something we consider ugly and/or monstrous, they'd better have plenty of phazers, photon torpedoes, light sabers, and death rays or they may not find the reception so warm.