Here's an interesting hypothetical...

[Dark_Lite]

If we were to discover other sentient life forms that have a technology and civilization comparable to our own, what do you think the Church would do?

They aren't demons or anything else, but rather they are aliens. How would the Church handle a situation like this?

 

[Dream]

First, we'd have to figure out if they sinned and had original sin.

Second, we'd have to find out if Jesus's death was sufficient for these aliens to recieve salvation.

Third, I guess we would just try to convert them. (Assuming God hadn't already established a Church in their civilization)

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

We'd Do what ever the Holy Spirit wanted us to do.

 

[Carrye]

I think there are too many "what if" aspects to your question.

1) Sentient = sense knowledge, correct? Sentience not equated with being human.
2) Presupposing that a sensing being can develop a society like our own. Animals are sentient.
3) Presupposing that society = humanity. Animals (non-humans) live in societies.

Are these "aliens" human? If not, the Church has nothing to say.

 

[Maximus]

You may find it interesting to read the book Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, by Fr. Seraphim Rose.

It deals with the whole UFO/alien question.

 

[Radagast]

How would the Church handle a situation like this?

Send the Jesuits to check it out?

-- Radagast

 

[Maximus]

Send the Jesuits to check it out?

-- Radagast

LOL!

I think you send in the Dominicans first, then, after they've converted the aliens, you send the Jesuits in to teach in their universities and really confuse them.

 

[Radagast]

LOL!

I think you send in the Dominicans first, then, after they've converted the aliens, you send the Jesuits in to teach in their universities and really confuse them.

Yes! How could I have got it so wrong?

But seriously, I think CS Lewis wrote something about this once...

-- Radagast

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

...
But seriously, I think CS Lewis wrote something about this once...

-- Radagast

Really? I would love to read that!

 

[Maximus]

Really? I would love to read that!

I remember reading it, too, but I can't remember in which of his works.

 

[Radagast]

I remember reading it, too, but I can't remember in which of his works.

Me neither

-- Radagast

 

[PolskiKrol]

We'd probobly end up killing them, then feeling bad and convert them. Xenocide.

 

[marciadietrich]

CS Lewis had a sci-fi trilogy, starting with Out of the Silent Planet where a gent named "Ransom" finds himself among aliens who are like pre-fall humans.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Anyone see "Mars Attacks?"

Great movie.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

I go with the premise that God created all life, the Universe(s) are His! If there is life out there, He created it!
Then it begs to question, did He create them with souls? Did, or do they have a Savior?
It opens the door for many possibilities.