If you did find life off Earth how could that affect the percetion that humans are unique among living creatures and that a divine being is guiding the universe?

Answer 1

Life off Earth might be nothing more than bacteria or something resembling bacteria, or some other lower form of life, which would leave humans as the greatest of living creatures, and our self-conception and religious beliefs would be intact. If, however, we were to find another intelligent species, that would have a tremendous impact on our self-conception and our theology. Religion as we now know it always assumes that the entire universe is about us, was created for us, and exists for our convenience. If there are other intelligent races in the universe, they logically would be of similar importance to us. Many preconceptions would have to be reconsidered. Of course, the specific details concerning this hypothetical new species influence the kinds of conclusions that we draw. If they are even more technologically advanced than we are, that would have the most profound impact, and would change everything.

------------

You asked if it would affect my perception. Not really, whatever form that it may take, it would fit into the natural laws that we know or natural laws would have to be reexamined. Science as we know it, including the natural law is continuously being reexamined. It would be interesting, even exciting, but not without precedent considering the many things that people once could not imagine or believe. Modern society has a history of new ways to look at things. (Perception being opinion, it would not alter my religious beliefs because they mesh perfectly with the nature of things.)

Answer 2

Assuming that you find another species of life on another planet which is similar to us in culture and technology somewhere in the universe , it would have severe impacts on the perception that humans are unique by proving that it is not true. The same event would have no predictable impact on belief systems as religions have an observed ability to "explain" most everything to be just what they thought it would be.it should be pointed out that the more evangelical of the two civilizations might begin a program to convert the other as the Europeans did with the natives in North and South America.