Vatican astronomers likewise weighed in on this question ... "How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere," asked Funes. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation. Muslim and Jewish leaders joined Funes to say their religion could accommodate an ET reality, while a scholar for the Russian Orthodoxy excluded the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.

The question of how the world's political and religious communities would respond if suddenly faced with visitors from beyond is something world religions and even the US Government has studied.

Many conservative evangelicals in particular take a more suspicious view of aliens, stating that they could be demonic manifestations or play a role in a future great delusion that gives rise to the appearance of Antichrist. 'I have become thoroughly convinced that UFOs are real', popular Christian writer Hal Lindsey wrote. 'I believe these beings are not only extraterrestrial but supernatural in origin. To be blunt, I think they are demons." Secular sources quote scientist Jacques Vallee, whom Cutting Edge quotes at length to prove that Aliens are demons

Nearly 20 hours of debate!