- D. Willis
Introduction and presuppositions : This brief article attempts to examine a few facts and some evidence in an effort to deduce that the concept of Extra-Terrestials (ETs) are a product of a mind that has a created origin, as opposed to a mind that has evolved. The two contrasting 'worldviews' (I'm beginning to not like using that cliche, but anyway..) I will be writing in reference to, are firstly, the concept that man has evolved over an extended period of time - from nothing, to where he is today, and secondly, the concept that man is a created being - created by something that is umimaginably more advanced than mankind. Materials used for reference can never be unbiased, so I shall chose a balance of materials, namely The Bible(as one account of mankind as a created being), and various other internet-based resources relating to aliens. ( * * * * * * - are a few)
Examing the facts : It takes just a quick browse through the links above to see that the popular image conjoured up by the word 'alien' is of a humanoid life form - with two arms and two legs, fingers and toes, walking upright, two unusually large black eyes, hairless, with a large head tapering down to a small pointed chin. Where this image came from, no one is certain, and there are variations, so we cannot categorically state that 'this is what aliens look like'. But we can state the fact that this image is what most people envisage when they think of an alien or ET. An number of points can lead to the deduction that aliens and ET beings are an extension of an evolutionary train of thought. The popular perception is that aliens and ET beings are more highly evolved than humans - Monkeys are real hairy, Humans are not so hairy, aliens are not hairy - Monkeys have a smaller cranial volume, Humans have larger cranial volume, while aliens have an even larger cranial volume - aliens must be able to travel greater distances in space than humans can, (if they are able to reach earth, as is proposed) indicating a higher state of technological evolution - just to present a few indicators of the perceived advanced evolution of aliens.
Based on the above, it is then perhaps reasonable to deduce that evolution supports the popular perception of aliens (or rather, that the concept and perception of aliens is a product of an evolved mind) .
However - the whole concept of evolution is based on the concepts of 'chance', and 'the survival of the fittest'. Evolutionists claim that all living things on earth as they are today, are found in their current states due to random chance, the dying out of weaker species, and the genetic repression/extinction of weaker physical attributes in specific life forms. Having said this, then, and given the complexity of the vast numbers of life forms - delving right down in the the hyper-encyclopaediec mountains of information contained in DNA, the chances that life on earth has turned out the way it is are also infinitely slim. Meaning that were the earth to begin again from scratch, it would be highly unlikely - according to chance, perhaps different ratios of life forms in co-existance throughout the process of evolution, and other factors - that humans would be in appearance, the way they are today, and they would have as much chance of evolving to be the dominant creature as would any of the other life forms that co-evolve by chance.
Therefore, the chance that an alien being from another part of the universe - that has evolved over perhaps an even greater time-span than humans - looking even remotely like a human is of an incalculable magnitude. It doesn't make sense and is most highly unlikely.
To examine the concept of aliens from a 'creationist's' point of view, we need to understand that mankind is seen by the creationist as being created 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, in much the same form as he is today. Man was also created apart from the animals and other creatures on earth. Man's creator had such an interest in man, that not only did he set man apart from, and above the rest of creation, he created man in his(the creator's) own image. Man is of the character of his creator. This account of creation can be found in the book of Genesis, the first book of The Bible. The account of creation is a much-debated topic, and as such, it will only be refered to where necessary for this discussion. Mankind 'fell' from his creator's grace, when the first created man disobeyed the command of his creator. As a result, the whole of mankind suffered from this disobedience, and has struggled against his creator ever since. Man's creator was ont at all happy with the suffering of man, as he loved his creation very much, and as a result, and despite the disobedience of man, the creator had prepared a means by which mankind might be restored to a loving peaceful relationship with him. The creator sent his son, a part of himself, to live a perfect life with mankind on earth, and then to take upon himself the punishment that mankind deserves. Thus, mankind maybe released from his punishment, and can be restored to a full relationship with his creator. Now this is where we need to pay attention - man is in fact aware of the fact that he is a created being in created world. The book of Romans, in chapter 1, verses 18-23, states that :
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."The last sentence of this quote shows quite clearly how aliens fit into the mindset of a created being. Man in his rebellion has exchanged the glory of his creator for images made to look like mortal men - namely aliens. Man is pinning his hopes not on his creator, but on another being made in the image of mortal man. Since aliens and ETs are not specfically mentioned in The Bible, a creationist is able to reason that they do not exist, except as a wrong alternative to man's creator. The second part of this sentence, refering to birds and animals and reptiles, is evident in those who seek to place animals rights on a par with, or even before, the rights of created man.
In Summary : So, even from this brief study, it is apparent that the creationist's perspective on aliens is more consistant with reality than is the evolutionist's, since in making aliens in the image of man, he is refuting his own foundational concept of chance and evolution. Therefore, the creationist has a much more realistic perspective on aliens, a perspective that is not only consistant with his foundational beliefs, but is also consistant with reality.
This is a first draft, and will most likely contain many inconsitances and holes, but I believe that the over-arching concept is sound, and I willingly invite any critisism you have to offer.
