Bio: Alejandro Rojas is Director of Operations for Open Minds Production, a UFO news and multi-media organization.  At Open Minds, he hosts Open Minds UFO Radio and the Open Minds UFO Report, is an editor and contributing writer for OpenMinds.tv, and emcee for the International UFO Congress. He is also a blogger for Huffington Post Science and Weird News. For several years, Alejandro was a field investigator, Director of Public Education, and the official spokesperson for the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). As a UFO and paranormal researcher and journalist, Alejandro has spent many hours in the field investigating anomalous phenomena up close and personal. Alejandro has been interviewed by media organizations around the world, including the largest cable and network news agencies. He has been featured on the Travel Channel, Syfy, National Geographic, and E!.

Website: OpenMinds.tv

Lecture: ETs and Religion: How belief in extraterrestrial life has influenced religions and inspired new ones

It is often said that if we found intelligent extraterrestrial life, religions would be devastated. However, most religions already discuss extraterrestrial life, and have for hundreds of years. In this presentation we discuss the many ways alien life has been addressed by the world’s major religions, and how they are currently dealing with this issue. We also look at studies which reveal insight into how religious leaders, those who participate in religion, and those who do not, might react when it is finally confirmed that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists. Finally, we look to the future and how the belief in extraterrestrial intelligence is inspiring the creation of new religions.