Extraterrestrial life? What do you think?

Extraterrestrial life? What do you think?

Increasingly of late I’ve come across people who believe intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. While scientists have yet to detect such life, it remains theoretically possible. And since the implications for worldviews are compelling, the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life is far from a frivolous pursuit.

For many people, it’s not a matter of if, but when, advanced life will be discovered on another planet. The SETI Institute includes its mission statement on its home page:

The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.

Obviously, the word “prevalence” indicates their position. You probably know RTB’s position, but don’t let that prevent you from stating your opinion.

Also, according to a Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion survey from September 2006, nearly 25 percent of Americans agreed with the statement “some UFOs are probably spaceships from other worlds.” But for purposes of this inquiry, I’m not necessarily equating belief in UFOs with belief in extraterrestrial, intelligent life.

Whether you’re a Christian, a skeptic, a scientist, or a bricklayer, I’d like your input. Here’s the question:

Do you believe there is physical, intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? Why or why not?

Please respond in the comments section and pass the word around. I sure would like to know what other people think. I admit, this little survey is very unscientific, but it might be fun to see the results.

I’m off to Yellowstone for a week so I’ll leave this one up for a while and show any results later.

Thanks for your thoughts.