Knowing our history as we do, the picture you paint is a sad possibility. The hope is that we evolve as a species to a level of wisdom that would prevent the mistakes of the past. Imagine a scenario where we search for thousands of years and only find one or two others sentient races...i can't speak for anyone else but for me that would be a scary thought.

@phoenixone1 There is of course the possibility that we may be the first species to achieve space travel, or indeed the first to evolve to a "civilised" "intelligent" level capable of such technology, in which case we will not find anything above the level of an ape.

@LenHazell53 there is a SyFy book titled "Echo" by Jack McDevitt that paints that scenario...good read.

It's the old "I was told I was a sheep and I will die a sheep...even though it was proven I am a deer"...kind of makes sense based in what we see in the masses.

That would be the ideal scenario I would think...i.e. Religion finally evolving or in this case opening Religious Theologians to a broader interpretation of what God really might be as opposed to a narrow minded "human interpretation" of what only man could imagine God to be. More of a "Universal General Consensus" if I may.

@phoenixone1 if you want a reconciliation I can do that right now. I already have that narrative.

@JeffMesser lets hear it...

@phoenixone1 god is a personification of the universe as a whole.

@JeffMesser for a sentient being who sees the bigger picture perhaps. I prefer to see the simple yet profound fact of "LIFE" itself as understood by humans as being God...without life and without sentient beings(for now US) there could be no concept of God. Assuming we are not alone in this Universe and other species have evolved at least to the point of "Questioning why and how they got here"...logic I believe dictates they would evolve essentially parallel to us in their religious footsteps. Personification I believe is a natural step in any religious journey.

I don't see how that narrative satisfies anything. sounds more like just an aphorism.

@JeffMesser your correct...it would be an aphorism. I think what I am getting at is that in order for religion to change it needs a spark of a new reality to initiate the shift and until we finally prove that "we are not alone" it is going to be pretty much the same...as the saying goes, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over the same way and expecting different results". The insanity that is the religion we now have will not change until a change is forced on it.

@phoenixone1 why does religion need to change? it calms the masses and we're all going or not going to the same place anyway. so just leave them to their ignorance.

@JeffMesser even though it is "Religion" it is still subject to the evolution of mankind so it must change and it must evolve or it will become extinct.

@phoenixone1 there was once a pack of traveling monks who journeyed around and about SE Asia seeking knowledge. They traveled together for protection as they were all blind but still desired to explore the countryside. They happened upon the Buddha resting near a bodhi tree as he enjoyed watching a friendly elephant take a bath in a nearby pond. "Oh teach us Master" they begged the Buddha. "But it is you who have much to teach me" the Buddha responded. "For instance ... what is this thing in the water that amuses me so? I will grant a boon to whichever of you may answer correctly." Curiously they approached the elephant, a creature unknown so far north, and each attempted to answer his question. The first reached out and touched the elephants trunk. "Surely it is a snake my Lord."
The second patted the elephant on its' massive side "No no, it is a hut for resting from the sun."
The third, near the elephant's leg, added "you are both wrong ... it is a tree!"
The fourth, at the beasts' rear, offered as he touched the tail "you are all mistaken. this is a caretaker's whip. we must be on a farm."
Suddenly the elephant let out a blare and the last quipped "those are trumpets! it must be a musician".
"Tell us Master, who deserves the boon?"
"You are all correct" the Buddha answered. "and I shall call each of you my teacher" which was a huge sign of respect. And a significant boon.

@JeffMesser excellent...namaste

So basically your saying it would cause a wider division that would then extend into the cosmos thus probably stirring another broader "argument".

@phoenixone1 When relgion experiences failures the proponents get more religious as a rule.

@DavidLaDeau or if there is a quandary that cannot be resolved a new form of the same religion will form as was the case with Martin Luther.