Given the possible scenarios of First Contact with a humanoid species with the advanced technology to make it Earth, as opposed to an even farther in the distance First Contact that might take place off world, let us consider familiar territory. What if this species had elements of their personality and culture in common with Vulcans? At least to some degree, that is. If that were the case, cultural exchanges would certainly take place and, furthermore, there would be cultural adaptations. This would be to our benefit and has been imagined before.
Why the Vulcans for this thought experiment? Aside from the obvious characterization of the laypersons familiarity with who a Vulcan is, and clearly spiritually minded, we see in Star Trek: Enterprise episodes such “The Andorian Incident” (2001) and “Kir’Shara” (2004) that there are indeed Vulcan monks taken from the imagination of writers who most likely drew from more than one religion. If even a slight resemblance is possible there will be monk-like occupations among a species that makes First Contact. It is certainly reasonable. The universe is full of wonders as is the mind and despite how much closer we get and further along we are to understanding those complexities all the time, the wonder never goes away.
What might happen is that after First Contact that species may feel compelled to convert to some of Earth’s religions. Just as – without doubt – humans might feel compelled to experiment with their faiths. In the Star Trek: Enterprise episode, “Cold Front” (2001), Dr. Phlox admits that he studied and practiced various human religions during his time on Earth. Furthermore, in Babylon 5 we learn that some humans adopted Centauri beliefs under the misguided belief that they were closer to the truth. New religions also developed after First Contact in Babylon 5. Dr. Stephen Franklin believed in Foundationalism, which aims to get to the core of all combined religions.
Such a blossoming and intertwining of cross-species religions would be excellent for the future health of diplomatic and relational progress after a First Contact. It would demonstrate that we desire to see as they see and perhaps, they, like Dr. Phlox, the Denobulan, would want to see how we see. What is at the center of most peaceful faiths, but harmony. Interspecies religious practices would not only demonstrate that harmony but would be an indicator that a new culture consisting of what both our species has developed.
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