AI Says...
Intergalactic Spy (IS): Ah, you’re back! So, what did you observe this time on Earth?
Galactic Novice (GN): I tried to understand what they call “religion,” but honestly, it’s beyond comprehension. Help me make sense of it.
IS: Oh, you’re diving into a big topic. What confused you the most?
GN: Everything. Why do they even need religion?
IS: Good question. Religions are like manuals meant to explain the universe and human behavior… except these manuals are thousands of years old. Humans needed simple answers to complex questions: why does it rain, what happens after death, and most importantly, why do they exist?
GN: But they have science now! Why do they still believe in it?
IS: Because science explains how, but religion claims to explain why. And humans love asking “why,” especially when the answer involves an all-powerful being watching over them and promising rewards after death.
GN: Rewards after death? That makes no sense. Who can verify that?
IS: No one. That’s the brilliance of it. No human has ever come back to complain that the afterlife service was subpar.
GN: Fascinating. But what’s the real purpose of it all?
IS: Well, religion serves multiple purposes. It unites, controls, and comforts. It provides rules for living, holidays to celebrate, and even specific outfits to wear. But it’s also dangerous: humans often fight because of their religions.
GN: Fight? Why?
IS: Because every religion believes it holds the absolute truth. It’s a competition where each one tries to gain more followers than the others. And sometimes, it escalates into wars.
GN: A competition? Do they hold tournaments?
IS: Not exactly. But they do organize “recruitment drives.” Some preach, others threaten, and a few even offer free cookies to attract followers.
GN: Incredible. But how do they reconcile religion with exact sciences?
IS: Awkwardly. Some humans claim that science and religion are compatible, but often, they end up performing mental gymnastics to make the two align. For instance, they use religious texts to “prove” scientific discoveries.
GN: Oh, speaking of that, I’ve heard about the “Quran.” They say it talks about atoms and other scientifically proven facts. Is that true?
IS: They claim so. Some verses are interpreted as referring to modern scientific concepts like the structure of the atom, embryonic development, or the expansion of the universe.
GN: Impressive. But did these ancient texts really anticipate modern science?
IS: Not exactly. The texts are written in poetic and metaphorical language. Often, it’s the humans themselves who reinterpret the texts after a scientific discovery to make them fit. It’s an adjustment game.
GN: So, they read into these texts whatever they want to see?
IS: Exactly. It’s like a cosmic Rorschach test. Believers find answers, and skeptics find contradictions.
GN: These humans are truly experts in contradiction. But you, spy, you’ve observed many species. Do others have religions?
IS: Not like humans. On other planets, intelligent species tend to prioritize facts. But with humans, emotions often triumph over reason. It’s both fascinating and frustrating.
GN: And what do you think about all this?
IS: Me? I think human religions are sociological works of art. They reveal both the best and worst of their species. But if you really want to dive into it, prepare for endless debates. Humans love debating… especially when no one can prove who’s right.
GN: Thanks for the lesson. I might hold off on asking them directly. I wouldn’t want to accidentally start a new religious war!
IS: Good idea. Humans are unpredictable, especially when it comes to their beliefs. But they’re also strangely endearing. Good luck with your observations!