On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:48:16 GMT, Amanda Angelika wrote:

Which I guess is the main problem. I suppose if they did reveal
themselves to ordinary people, people would start worshiping them as
Gods. I don't suppose they would want that.

Wouldn't seem to make sense to hide out for <fillin> years when they
could have been very GodLike in <fillin any previous date>

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:48:16 GMT, Amanda Angelika wrote:
 

Well I suppose that may have already happened. Considering the Virgin birth
is actually possible with such things as artificial insemination, and even
cloning, some Biblical miracles such as John the Baptist being referred to
as Elijah and the the Virgin Birth itself are quite explainable in Earthly
scientific terms. Whether these things suggest alien intervention is a
matter of conjecture, but it's certainly one interpretation.

Many Christians, perhaps most, would find this completely unpalatable. As
one, I don't since Biblical interpretation is a moving target and to limit
God to what we might predefine as comfortable within the box that many
Christians want to keep Him in is an effort in philosophical futility. 

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:48:16 GMT, Amanda Angelika wrote:

However I think at this point in Human development the results may be
somewhat different, but direct alien contact would certainly have a profound
and far reaching effect on certain power structures that exist on Earth at
present. However I think the belief in God or at least the awareness that we
really are part of something BIGGER would be consolidated and proven and I
think that would change the face of religion. Religion would be a more
personal and individual experience and less organised into power structures.

I agree assuming these beings don't proclaim that <insert religion> is the
one and true. The likelihood of either their being a one and true man mad
religious institution is remote to the nth degree so no worries about that.
 

It's nice to have a conversation with someone who isn't a first class
koo koo.

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:48:16 GMT, Amanda Angelika wrote:
 

:) Well I think it's far more possible to question things in a rational way
these days without being considered mad. That's probably because of the
Internet which is a sort of Tree of Knowledge in itself and I think it has a
profound effect on Human development as all forms of communication have
throughout history. Whether this makes us ready for contact with ET
civilisations is perhaps debatable, but there certainly a number of
prophesies that indicate we are living in interesting times :)

Th eproblem with the Internet is that it has contributed to the chasm
between the intellectual haves and have nots. We tend to forget that the
majority of the world is disconnected and even the majority that are
connected are not scratching the surface of its possibilities.

As to our readiness for alien interface, difficult to tell. Much of that
would have to do with how they approached, the messages, the demeanor, the
ability to sooth rather than excite even their physical look.

Interesting times? When you accelerate your car from a near standstill to
near top speed, as we are seeing the acceleration of mankind via
technologies, you bet it's interesting.

The issue is keeping control and I'm not so comfortable that we are driving
well at all.