Exploring Religion and Extraterrestrial Life in Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’

Steven Spielberg’s film, Disclosure Day, delves into the debate surrounding extraterrestrial life and its implications for religion. This topic has gained attention since the Pentagon released numerous U.F.O.-related files. Spielberg’s interest in aliens and religious motifs is evident in how the movie portrays encounters with extraterrestrials as compatible with faith.

The film features a nun who questions why a divine creator would make such a vast universe but reserve it only for humans. This line captures the essence of the movie’s stance: meeting extraterrestrial beings does not threaten belief in God. This position is contrasted with the notion that aliens could take on roles similar to religious figures like popes or prophets, challenging organized religion.

Disclosure Day incorporates elements of the existing U.F.O. mythology. In the movie, the concealment of alien encounters is handled by a contractor linked to the government, reflecting speculations by some who believe this is the case in reality. For instance, U.F.O.-enthusiast and Republican congressman Eric Burlison mentioned investigating organizations such as RAND and MITRE.

The portrayal of aliens in the film draws inspiration from stories suggesting supernatural aspects. This ranges from William James’s discussions on religious experiences to folklore about fairies. A character in the movie recounts meeting aliens in a fairy-tale-like setting as a child, resembling friendly creatures. Her experiences, resembling religious mysticism, include speaking in foreign languages and telepathy, implying that aliens seek to aid humanity’s spiritual development.