Movie: Contact Answers
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to
day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is not speech, nor are there
words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the Earth, and their words to
the end of the world. - Ps. 19:1-4
1. In the movie, Contact, what is the relationship between science and faith?
 The volatile side of the relationship is highlighted with comments like:
 “Are these (scientists) the minds you want speaking for you, talking with your God.”
 “What people are most hungry for (meaning) science can not give them” (Palmer’s
Book). “What if God never existed and is something humans made up so they don’t
feel so alone (Ellie).
 “This is an example of science intruding in matters of faith.” Shows that in many
minds there is a clear distinction or at least that people involved in this debate try to
create one.
 “I can’t imagine a world without a God” (Palmer). “How do you know you aren’t
deluding yourself” (Ellie).
 Ockham’s Razor “All things being equal the simplest answer is usually the right one.
What makes more sense that a God invented the universe and then erased all proof
of his existence or that he never existed at all” (Ellie).
 Yet at the same time they are portrayed as intrinsically linked and necessarily compatible
throughout the entire film. The film also gives the opinion that religion is always relevant.
2. Can religion be reasonable, or is it always based on faith? Is there any faith involved in science?
Provide examples from the movie in your answers.
 Film suggests it is unreasonable to rule out religion just because it can not be proven.
 Infinatly reasonably to believe we can not explain everything and to accept that powers may
exist beyond our capabilities of understanding.
 Absolutely is faith in science - Brian Gumble suggests her mission to Vega requires faith as
there is no proof that it is save or benign.
 Scientists need to have faith that their discoveries are for the greater good, faith that the
human race will use them properly.
 Ellie has faith throughout her life that her search for ET’s is not in vein – what prove did she
have? Belief in Aliens is just as far fetched as a belief in God, in fact there is more evidence
to the contrary for aliens.
3. What was Palmer’s response to Ellie’s suggestion that faith in God is delusional? What would your
response be?
 Did you love your father (Palmer)? Yes (Ellie). Prove it (Palmer).
 Points out that there are many areas in life where a leap of faith is required; there are many
things in this world, things we encounter daily that there is no proof or evidence for.
4. Do you think Ellie’s experiences by the end of the film will make her more or less receptive to Palmer’s
idea of religion?


More – the message she receives is very religious in nature “You are such an interesting
species, capable of big dreams and also great nightmares…feel so alone….your not….in all of
our searching all that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.”
The experience proves to her that you can not always find evidence of the truth exactly what
Palmer has been arguing all along.
5. Do you think E.T’s exist? Is this a valid argument: “If we’re alone in the universe, that’s an awful waste
of space.”?
6. In your opinion, did the film attempt to blur the distinction between science and religion? What is the
evidence from the film for your answer?
 Film spends a great deal of time suggesting they can never actually be viewed as totally
separate issues, you can not escape science or religion. The two are linked but one can also
pick up where the other leaves off – they have different bennifits and different drawbacks.
 The minute the discovery is made it moves from the realm of pure science to the realm of
religion:
o News reports mention that the number of people attending religious services is on the
rise and that doctors fear a rash of cult like mass suicides (pts to the way religion is
also painted as fanatical in the film).
o Ellie tries to separate the two saying “the message wasn’t religious in nature, if it was
it would be a burning bush or a voice from the sky” and Palmer responds with “but a
voice from the sky is what you found” – suggests that in many areas modern day
science and miracle/religion are interconnected.
o She also asks why the panel cares if she is religious or not “how is that relevant” to
which her interviewer responds “95% of the world believes in a higher power I would
say that makes it extremely relevant.” - Suggests religion is ALWAYS relvant.
7. Was Dr. Arraway’s experience during her journey any different from that of Saul of Tarsus (also known
as St. Paul) on the road to Damascus, or of Moses at the burning bush? Why are many people
following her experience reluctant to believe her incredulous story on faith?
 Very similar, type of conversion experience. Suddenly changes her entire outlook, even
changes her ability to be in relationships. She becomes a type of prophet – we see her at the
end of the film telling children to ask questions and look for meaning.
 People are reluctant to believe her because “There is no evidence, record, or artifacts, only a
story, should we really take all of this on faith.”
 This criticism from the same panel who once informed her that 95% of the world believes in a
higher power without evidence, record or artifacts.
 Demonstrates the short sightedness of religion as they are the ones suddenly unwilling to
accept her experience which seems hypocritical – if experience doesn’t come in a package
people are willing to accept it is ridiculed.
8. Do you think Carl Sagan, the author of “Contact”, was a theist or an atheist?
 My guess = theist
 However, he clearly realized the dangers and extremities of religion as well, understands that
in times of uncertainty people turn to the fringes of religion for most extreme answers. Ex.
Crowds at Cape Canaveral.




Carl Edward Sagan, Ph.D. (November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996) was an American
astronomer, astrochemist, author, and highly successful popularizer of astronomy,
astrophysics and other natural sciences.
Sagan wrote frequently about religion and the relationship between religion and science,
expressing his skepticism about the conventional conceptualization of God as a sapient being.
Sagan once stated, for instance, that "The idea that God is an oversized white male with a
flowing beard, who sits in the sky and tallies the fall of every sparrow is ludicrous. But if by
'God' one means the set of physical laws that govern the universe, then clearly there is such a
God. This God is emotionally unsatisfying ... it does not make much sense to pray to the law
of gravity."
Sagan is also widely regarded as a freethinker or skeptic; one of his most famous quotations,
in Cosmos, was, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Sagan was,
however, not an atheist, expressing that, "An atheist has to know a lot more than I know.”
Wife referred to him as a skeptic, agnostic and free thinker – taught a course on critical
thinking.
9. What two pieces of evidence are there to prove that Ellie really visited aliens (besides her testimony)?
Describe the life-saving “miracle”? Why do you think Sagan included it in the story?
 18 hours of static on the film
 She comments “I had an experience that I can not prove but everything I am tells me it was
real….I was given a vision of the universe that changed me forever…..tells us we belong to
something greater and that none of us are ever alone.”
 Miracle responds to her deepest needs, the reason she starting studying radio waves in the
first place was to contact her mother and then her father – in this experience she is given
contact with her father even if it is some other being in his image. Most symbolically the
experience responds to her needs to know she isn’t alone.
 Essentially describes what for many people is the experience of religion.
 Possible reasons for its inclusion:
o Turns the tables on her – suddenly she is the one being charged of deluding herself
and falling back on and defending faith, having Ockham’s razor turned onto her
beliefs. Illustrates the key theme or idea that sometimes life’s experiences do not
come with evidence. Suggests that sometimes even science requires a leap of faith.
o Points out that no one can ever know for sure either way (agnostic) – even the
scientist can not answer every question with proof.
o Suggests that everyone needs balance in their worldview; opening oneself to
questions, belief in a high power and the experience of not knowing is life saving.
o Other options?????
10. For each of the following religious approaches/worldviews, describe a scene or character that matches
the approach.
 The Theocentric Approach – Palmer
 The Secular Worldview – Ellie
11. Describe how the two main characters of the film are struggling with the mystery that is part of human
existence. How do they deal with the deep issues of life?
 Goal is the same – pursuit of truth.