That's what I said. How so? Again the belief in life outside our planet contradicts western religions. There is not one word about extraterrestrial life or even the possibility it exists in any western religious book that I know of. You have a misconception of what a theory is. A theory does not require evidence. Having said that, life on this planet is basic theoretical evidence that life may exist on other planets. I could just as easily say the same about you, that you have some sort of spiritual need that causes you to reject the idea that life exists outside this planet. In fact that would line up with western religious philosophy. I however don't, so I'm free to apply logic and reason to the issue. In addition, unlike you, I don't ignore or reject the numerous (nearly overwhelming) corroborating eyewitness claims (and in some cases photos and videos) of UFOs and other encounters. They can't all be dismissed as sheer nonsense, especially those that come from seemingly credible sources.
I don't know that belief in life outside our planet contradicts western religions. I'm not a theologian. However I'm unclear in what way that's at all relevant. A theory does require something that it's trying to explain however. In this case, there is nothing to explain. It's literally a wish that your heart makes since there is no evidence for extra-terrestrial life or any reason we should expect it to be common throughout the universe. I'm not rejecting an idea, I'm rejecting a belief. And, it's a belief in which there is zero supporting evidence. If you, have faith that there is life out there, that's perfectly fine. My whole purpose in this thread was to explain why I don't have that belief. I've think I've successfully done that, so your pseudo religious attempt at proselytizing is wasted on me. If there is real evidence presented in the future there is extra terrestrial life, than fine, I'll be on board. But don't try to pretend you're arguing a scientific point; you're not. You're arguing for your belief without evidence. You know, your religious belief.
Ok...you've made your point. It is possible to believe in something without there being a religious basis behind it. Just as you're getting annoyed at us for talking about our belief in the possibility and probability of life in the universe...we too are getting honked off at being told that we're religious about it all. I know I am not. My belief is based on the evidence that you don't want to consider. That's fine. How about we accept that you've made your point, you've walked in and said "I am not a fan of the theories". How about we leave it at that.
It's only relevant in terms of your insistence that religion has something to do with the belief that there is extraterrestrial life. I was indoctrinated religiously as a child so I know for a fact that the Jewish religion has zero reference to extraterrestrial (mortal) life and that its philosophy is strictly egocentric. Back in the day Christians would probably have burned anyone who believed in ETs at the stake. Correct but that something is not necessarily evidence. Nonsense there is plenty to explain because life itself is evidence that life exists. If there was no life, there would not be this discussion obviously. The fact that life happened on this planet is circumstantial evidence that life may exist on other planets albeit in theory. However, once again this is supported by numerous corroborating eyewitness claims, the same ones you keep ignoring even though I've already made that point. An idea is a belief and you are rejecting idea, belief and theory, all of which is based on logic, reason and evidence. Eyewitness claims ARE evidence. They may not be incontrovertible evidence but unless and until proven otherwise, they stand as evidence. Quit tossing irrelevant red herrings into this discussion. My belief has nothing to do with religion or faith, it's strictly logic and common sense supported by an abundance of circumstantial evidence. I don't really care if you reject the idea or not but don't tell me why I believe what I believe using YOUR invented claims.
I was only describing the belief in extra terrestrial life as being a religious like belief; a belief based on faith, not that it was a tenet of any particular religion. "Eyewitness claims?" Now you're talking UFO's. I think if that's your issue, that's a totally separate issue from that of life in the universe. Reptilians, Grays, and all of that nonsense belongs strictly in the conspiracy section. Well I think your "eyewitness claims" remark makes your position quite clear. It merely confirms to me that I was correct in my assessment.
Then quit calling it a religion. It isn't a "religious belief" in any case, any more than denial of the possibility that life exists outside this planet is a "religious belief". For most people it's merely a belief, nothing more, nothing less. No, really??? Yeah. It's not MY issue, I didn't invent it. Unfortunately for your mindset it's exactly about life in the Universe. Is that what you've been indoctrinated to believe? Yeah anything alien to you and the US government belongs in the "conspiracy" section (pun intended). So because you choose to deny the possible existence of ETs, it's then "nonsense [that] belongs strictly in the conspiracy section". Again, it's not about MY position, I didn't invent those tens of thousands of worldwide eyewitness claims, it's called reality, not theory. These claims are very real, whether some or most of them are hoaxes, they're still very real claims. Whether you want to dismiss them all as "conspiracy" or not is irrelevant, it won't make the claims go away. Apparently not, except in your mind. You haven't yet even confirmed you understand what a theory is.
I actually was going to reply, but I realized that I didn't really need to. Your comments more than speak to my point. Thank you for allowing me to draw you out and demonstrate my point so clearly.
If you believe that's what you did, it's quite fine with me. Like I said it's all good in your mind. I do understand your extreme terror about the possibility that life exists outside this planet though, that couldn't be any more obvious. Cognitive dissonance is a bitch, it makes good people believe that anything beyond what they've been indoctrinated to believe is a "conspiracy theory" for "tin foil hatters".
If you've had an alien encounter or two you probably know that LIFE isn't just out there in a numbers game, but they are real, and intelligent, and coming here to Earth too, from far away.
