I invite you to think of  four words that would change everything.

First, consider what we humans know for certain.  We know mathematics.  We know various things scientific. We think we know how humans and other life forms evolved.

Those of us who are religious believe we know how man and earth were created.

There are so many things we know, or think we know. So many things we are absolutely, positively certain about. Some people are so certain, for instance, their religion is the only true one that they butcher infidels who don’t believe as they do.  Some are so certain their type of government is the only true way they invade and subdue neighbors.

We know the best forms of propulsion.  We know the best way to build things. We know what ingredients are necessary for life. We know how beings think and reason, live and die.

I suggest that four words would shatter every belief we have.  Or at least cause us to question every belief, every certainty.  Four words.

The words are “Is anyone out there?”  If they came from outer space, think how they would change and challenge everything.

I considered this question recently when I came across some story about astronomers discovering new galaxies.  These distant collections of stars and planets may contain, according to them, life.

Imagine how all of us would react if tomorrow morning’s headline contained those four words.

I suggest that every religious belief would be shaken.  Every scrap of faith in various creators would suddenly be exposed to new thinking.

Suppose, for instance, the message came from beings far more advanced than we are.  Suppose their brainpower put ours to shame.  Suppose their mental powers and physical abilities were almost beyond our comprehension. If such superior beings told us God, for sure, was half woman half man, how would we react?

If such superior beings told us all our religious beliefs were primitive, would we cling to them?