153 | Why Some Religions Believe in UFOs and Aliens

In his book, Religions and Extraterrestrial Life published in 2014, Vanderbilt University Astronomer David Weintraub revealed the results of a poll he conducted on beliefs in Aliens and UFOs by different religious groups. Now these numbers are dated, because there has been a dramatic surge in the belief in aliens in recent years. But nevertheless…

153 | Why Some Religions Believe in UFOs and Aliens

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In his book, Religions and Extraterrestrial Life published in 2014, Vanderbilt University Astronomer David Weintraub revealed the results of a poll he conducted on beliefs in Aliens and UFOs by different religious groups.

Now these numbers are dated, because there has been a dramatic surge in the belief in aliens in recent years. But nevertheless his poll showcased the significant differences in Alien beliefs among different religions.

Muslims led the pack with 44% stating they believed in aliens.

Jews were third at 37%, Hindus 36% and Christians came in last with only 32% stating they believed in aliens.

Weintraub attributed the high rate of belief in UFOs among Muslims to passages in the Qu’ran, such as chapter 21 verse 30 and chapter 42 verse 29, that speak of living beings being dispersed on other planets. The Qu’ran even suggests that these aliens are practicing a different form of Islam.

Weintraub added that some Hindus believe that humans are reincarnations of aliens. This is because some of their ancient Vedic texts such as the Vedas refer to advanced alien civilizations.

But within the group broadly defined as Christian, there was a wide range of beliefs. On one side of the spectrum, 41% of Eastern Orthodox Christians believed in aliens compared to only 29% for Baptists.

Among all religious groups, Evangelicals were the least likely to believe in aliens.

Other groups in the Christian subcategory that had a high belief in aliens were Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons.

Though I don’t classify Mormons as Christian. Weintraub said Mormons believe that when they die, some will be immortalized as gods and rule over other planets.

According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune entitled, Why some Latter-day Saints believe in UFOs, Matthew Bowman explains that some Mormons believe these unconfirmed UFO sightings actually support their mormon beliefs.

Years ago, I had my one and only encounter with a UFO. I had visited a friend in another city and was driving home late at night. A light suddenly appeared on the left of my car in the night sky and travelled along side of me. I was terrified. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins. My heart was racing.

I don’t know if I was imagining this light or not, but what I do know is when I prayed and rebuked it in Jesus’ Name, this mysterious light immediately disappeared.