So the natural thing to think from a Christian perspective is that there are lots and lots of intelligent species out there. That idea has not always been welcomed by religious power brokers. Polish cleric Nicholas Copernicus startled Roman Catholic leaders in 1543 by challenging the accepted view that the sun revolved around the Earth. Not so, Copernicus said. The sun holds center stage.
Earth travels around it.
Publishing the findings from his deathbed, Copernicus escaped the consequences of pushing Earth from the center. Back then, religious doctrine held that humans were God's sole rational creatures. They were given Earth to rule over and a universe to dazzle them. The stars were a tribute to God's glory. Those who believed otherwise could face death.