The Search for Extraterrestrial

Extraterrestrial Ethos

My observation of religious behavior on Earth suggests to me that certain socio-cultural functions within the extraterrestrial religion will be essential, if it is to survive.

I would expect prayer to be present, to focus aspirations at the personal and group level. Also rituals, as symbolic expression of shared values.

Meditation as a path to understanding or transcendental experience is likely to be practiced.

There will be a creed, setting forth theological and moral guidelines, rights and obligations.

A liturgy will give a dramatic expression of the planet's unified religion, using symbols, prayers and rituals, expressed in poetry, art and music. Various religious works of art are also likely to be exhibited outside of the liturgical setting

Festivals are likely, celebrating astronomical and historical phenomena specific to the planet. As Democritus said, a year without a festival is a long road without and inn.

All of these hold religion together, but they vary with the culture, and their specifics cannot be forecast. On Earth, these contain the aspects of a religion that people will cling to even after they have lost their belief in the religion's official creed.