First Contact: Aliens and Humans in Contemporary Science Fiction (Contemporary Religion and Popular Culture)

Are we alone in the universe? Or are there more planets like ours, which support life, including intelligent life? What will be the impact of the encounter with extraterrestrial life on us and vice versa? From the 16th century, scientists and authors have imagined extraterrestrial life and our encounters with it. In science fiction, a genre which became increasingly popular from the 19th century, such ‘first contact’ is a recurrent theme. It has become even more topical under the influence of postmodern discourse concerning species, gender, sexuality, non-normative corporality and ethnicity. The phrases ‘first contact’ as well as ‘alien’ have a long history as both were also used in other contexts: to describe the first encounters of the European invaders with the indigenous peoples of the Americas and Asia. In addition, the word ‘alien’ was used to denote unwanted immigrants.

This volume explores what the humanities have to offer for this debate, especially on the notions of first contact, and focuses on matters such as: theological, philosophical and ethical implications of encountering extra-terrestrial life; the boundaries of being human, dealing with differences between species, as well as genders; and more.

Frank G. Bosman is a cultural theologian, specialized in religion, theology, and video games. Currently, Bosman works as assistant professor at the Faculty of Catholic Theology at Tilburg University (the Netherlands) and as a research fellow at the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Free State, Bloemfontein (South Africa).

Mathilde van Dijk is a historian, specializing in late medieval reform, medievalism and popular culture and critical heritage studies. Until retirement, she taught at the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society at the University of Groningen and was the associate director of the Centre for Religion and Heritage (both in the Netherlands).

Kjelda Glimmerveen is an interdisciplinary PhD at the faculties of Spatial Sciences and Arts at the University of Groningen. She is currently doing research on the film industry in the North of the Netherlands and has previously done a Research Master in Religious Studies, focusing on religion and popular culture.