Speculative Fact #319: I See No Aliens!

Intelligent alien life could have a number of implications. If intelligence was not rare, but common, it could knock humanity off its pedestal and make us feel less special. The galaxy could be full of intelligences much greater than our own; humans being the runt of the cosmic litter. But, intelligent life could pose a psychological burden for your character if they were ideologically opposed to it, and failed to accept it into their shrinking and outdated paradigm of the universe.
            In science fiction novels such as A Case of Conscience by James Blish or The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, the main characters were deeply devout priests and much of the conflict is derived from their spiritual crises. If there is intelligent alien life and there has been a second genesis, it could delegitimize the foundation of Christianity and the concept of original sin. While there is no single official church position, the Vatican has already begun to philosophically ponder this conundrum as the search for intelligent life becomes more sophisticated.
            Perhaps your character fears and hates aliens. Perhaps they’re so appalled or unsettled by the notion that they orchestrate vast conspiracies about the aliens being a hoax or government ruse. While the rest of the world seems to embrace them, a small cabal of deniers plot to find out the real truth...

-Jonathan Hernandez