Philosophy
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Christianity and Extraterrestrials? A
Catholic Perspective
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Lincoln, NE
2005, 291 pages
There is a growing trend in the science and religion community
to make Christian belief and belief in ETIs (intelligent
extraterrestrials) an either/or proposition. Typical claims are
that such beings could have no meaningful relationship to Christ
and their appearance would prove that humans do not have the
special place in the universe that the Bible assigns us. This book
defends the position that Christian belief and belief in ETIs are
not mutually exclusive. However, it goes on to argue that there is
a real tension between the two beliefs, and that Christian belief
does render ETI existence improbable. “The two beliefs can exist in
a sane mind, but they’ll give one a tension headache.”
“Although some of Dr. George’s claims are controversial, she is
clearly an author seeking the truth and open to opposing arguments.
Moreover, she has sought out the best sources and used them
wisely—in short, an admirable scholarly presentation.”
—Michael J. Crowe, Cavanaugh Professor Emeritus, University of
Notre Dame and author of The Extraterrestrial Life Debate,
1750-1900.