If there are aliens out there, does that mean Christianity is untrue?

“If it’s just us, then it’s an awful waste of space” (Carl Sagan, quoted in the film Contact).

Our children’s imagination stretches beyond the unseen on this planet and into the universe. They are regularly confronted in books and films with the idea that there may be life elsewhere, sparking their imagination to explore and understand the enormity of what lies beyond our galaxy. For a child to ask a question such as this is, therefore, neither unexpected nor a bad thing. I wonder how you would respond. Having had a discussion with my son, this is where we got to:

1) The universe is huge!

Astronomers and astrophysicists reckon the universe is roughly 93 billion light-years in diameter, about 5.5 trillion miles. And who am I to dispute such mind-boggling, inconceivable numbers? There are approximately 200 billion trillion stars, with, presumably, countless planets orbiting them. Is it possible that some of them contain the elements necessary for life? It certainly seems so. There may be an Earth-like planet somewhere amongst those billions.

However, as my son pointed out, God creates life; it doesn’t just come from nowhere. Therefore, if there is life out there, it’s because He decided there should be. We are told in Genesis 1 and 2 that God speaks, and life comes. In particular, He breathes life into the first man and woman. There is an intentional and deliberate act by the Creator to establish life on our planet. Genesis does not tell us that He did this elsewhere, but it also doesn’t tell us that He didn’t!

Scripture does seem to give the human race a uniqueness in God’s creation, not just in our small corner of the galaxy

2) Humanity is unique

Having said all this, regarding the wonder and splendour of the universe in which God has placed us, Scripture does seem to give the human race a uniqueness in God’s creation, not just in our small corner of the galaxy. We are told that humans are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27-29), uniquely capable of a relationship with God. Whilst all of creation can give God praise and worship (Psalm 148), humanity is created to know Him intimately.

While there could be life on another planet, it will not be the same as humans life. It will not be life that can relate and encounter God in the way human beings can. It may be living, breathing, conscious life in the way a dog or a cow is. It may even be intelligent in the way a ChatGPT appears to be, but it will not be ‘made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honour’ (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:6-7).

The Son of God became a human being to die for our sins. He could not also become an alien to die for its sins

The important thing here is that an alien cannot be saved. It cannot have sins which need forgiving, or moral authority, or a prayer life. Why do I say this? Because the eternal Son of God became a human being at His incarnation. This was forever. He’s not stopped being a human being but still is human in heaven. The Son of God became a human being to die for our sins. He could not also become an alien to die for its sins.

This all gives us security in our faith, but the possibility to allow our imagination to explore what may be out there.

Wherever we land on this question, we can be sure that we are special, loved and unique in God’s eyes and in His creation

3) What are people seeing?

A final part of our wondering around this topic is regarding what UFO sightings and alien abductions are all about. The issue of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs, what were called UFOs) has been prominent recently, not just in fictional settings, but in American politics. Recent Senate hearings and the release of classified files have brought to public attention in a more serious way the thought that aliens may be visiting us. If this is what your child is asking about, it’s a trickier area.

How do we explain multiple accounts of apparent visions and abductions which have parallels in their details? I would naturally be sceptical that these are actual extraterrestrials. But I wonder if there is perhaps a simpler, if more concerning explanation. Some have suggested that these may be spiritual encounters which are not altogether friendly and are, in fact, demonic. Depending on your child’s age and nature, you may want to broach this topic carefully, allowing them to reflect on what they cannot see in the world they live in. Either way, whatever the truth is, we have no need to be afraid in Jesus.

Wherever we land on this question, we can be sure that we are special, loved and unique in God’s eyes and in His creation.