The discovery of alien life could turbocharge religious division and hatred, the UK’s leading UFO expert has warned.
Nick Pope, who investigated unidentified flying objects (UFOs) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), warned of the fallout days after it was revealed that the UK government is investigating how it would reveal the discovery of extraterrestrial life to the public.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Mr Pope said the discovery of aliens could also reignite centuries-old tensions between science and religion.
‘The religious implications of finding alien life will be particularly tricky,’ he said. ‘History shows that the relationship between science and religion has always been difficult, and that differences in religious beliefs fuel divisions and hatreds that we see in the world today.
‘Throwing alien life into this already volatile situation could be explosive.
‘Some religious scholars have considered the theological implications of extraterrestrial life, but we won’t really know how this will play out until the rubber hits the road.’
Hellbound and Down 