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258 civilization would tend to refute Biblical notions of the origins of the Earth and its people. In Sagan’s novel Contact and the subsequent film, religious fundamental- ists react strongly to communications from extraterrestrial intelligence; one suicide bomber destroys alien-designed technology. McDonough pre- dicted that some humans will reject alien religions on the ground that they must be tools of the devil.” Such reactions might be exploited by political leaders. Some prominent figures in human history have taken advantage of religious zealotry to consolidate their own power. The Roman Emperor Constantine exploited the rising force of Christianity to strengthen his own position. Certain princes in Catholic Europe adopted Protestantism more for reasons of politics than for reasons of faith; Martin Luther survived because it suited some lay rulers to support him.** Mixed Emotions