Religion

Before we begin, let me just say that this post will be discussing a very contentious topic: religion. It is not my intent to ridicule or belittle anyone's beliefs, but emotions run high regarding this issue. I believe it is a very important topic and relevant for the design of alien societies. I respect everyone's right to believe in whatever system they choose, and therefore ask that the same respect be offered towards my personal thoughts on the subject. I welcome any constructive, intelligent debates, and will ignore any rude name-calling.
Almost all human societies have developed religions in order to fill in the gaps of knowledge. I believe that there are two main reasons for developing a belief in "something higher". The first is that it is a simple way of explaining the unknown, and unknowns are certainly scary things. When asked any question to which there is no answer, "God wills it" is a very convenient answer, not only to hide the spiritual advisor's ignorance, but also to give comfort to those who need it. For example, it is much better to believe that a lost love one is in the arms of God, rather than simply decomposing in a burial mound. Also, the thought of death is the ultimate fear and having your soul go to paradise is much more preferable to the though of the lights simply going out. The second reason is that it is a way to control the population. On its own, a community with a shared belief system has a kind of self-organisation. People will be more incline to obey the law through fear of divine punishment and through a closer connection to fellow spirits, than would be possible in an aetheist society. On a more sinister note, I am sure everyone is aware of what happens when religious ideals are used for political gain. History is replete with examples of unimaginable atrocities carried out in the name of religion. An emotive example that leaps to mind is the Spanish Inquisition. *shudder* It can also be used for financial gain, something very evident from many of the many cults and evangelists of our time.
I often wonder why, in a world of so many religions, do people never ask the question "what makes my religion so special?". For example, even with Christianity, there are many factions, when fundamentally they all are supposed to believe in the same thing. What makes one interpretation right, and all the others wrong? One reason why religion is so powerful is that it is by its very nature, like a virus, more technically speaking, it is a powerful, viral meme. For example, if my religion says "people who do not subscribe to exactly the same religion will be forever tormented in hell", then I will do everything in my power to make sure all my loved ones believe in the same.
Religions also have a wide variety in what they believe. Some believe in one God, others many. Some worship powerful symbols like the sun, while others worship unusual deities, like feathered snakes, but in most, the deity is human in appearance. For example a caucasian man in a white beard and robe, sitting on a cloud judging us all. The following beautiful quote, which could not be more relevant for this post, puts this into perspective:
"The rash assertion that 'God made man in His own image' is ticking like a time bomb at the foundation of many faiths, and as the hierarchy of the universe is disclosed to us, we may have to recognize this chilling truth: if there are any gods whose chief concern is man, they cannot be very important gods." Arthur C. Clarke, 1965
If we ever find life out in the universe, especially if it is intelligent or even sentient, it would severely shake the beliefs of many. Or would it? When the theory of evolution was discovered over 150 years ago, one could have imagined the downfall of many faiths. Especially since evolution is logical, provable and observable. However, religion is a powerful thing and has endured, sometimes by blind defiance and other times by trying to reconcile the irreconcilable.
What do we get out of this. Well, any sentient species will probably have its history of religions. They may even believe that they were made in God's image. You can imagine the problems and conflicts accociated with such a first contact. Certainly they will think very differently from us and so perhaps they have no concept of religion and are intrigued or repulsed by the idea. This topic in itself leads to many possible interesting plot ideas, regarding the way we, and they, regard each other and our faiths. Having a plausible belief system for a culture is important in making it fully rounded. Having them worship something as simple as a rock, is no more strange than worshipping a snake or cow. A lot of plots even have aliens creating a religion out of the visit from human explorers. Kind of the opposite of "Chariots of the Gods" from Erich von Däniken.

After all, truth is stranger than fiction.