ahhh,what a discovery made by Polish astronomers)))the other planet system similar to Earth...(from the latest issue of Science)
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070424_hab_exoplanet.html
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1692811,16,item.html
Perhaps we are not alone

That would shake and shatter all religions...

Wow....finally we can discover Portokal's planet

Rocky planets, possibly with conditions suitable for life, may be more common than previously thought in our galaxy, a study has found.

New evidence suggests more than half the Sun-like stars in the Milky Way could have similar planetary systems.

There may also be hundreds of undiscovered worlds in outer parts of our Solar System, astronomers believe.

Future studies of such worlds will radically alter our understanding of how planets are formed, they say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7249884.stm

How would this affect religion?

"A priori, based on the multitudinous species on this planet, one would have to surmise that other extraterrestrial life would look completely different from us. It seems that the old adage of God creating us in his own image might have to be revised.

Assuredly, there would be some tumult at the idea that humans, or the latest version of, would no longer be the only intelligent life out there - which means religious paradigm shifts would take effect. Man would longer be able to define his/herself in terms of an earthly God. Religion, then, would take a new form.

As it stands now, many religions describe a higher power and attribute existence to one sort of understanding. It would be crass of us not to explore different origins of our understanding; to venture that this image, of man, is only one interpretation. Concurrently, the origin of God would come into question.

A new religion would take shape to interpret our new understanding, as many have throughout history. This means new systems of belief and new ways of living. It also means that the old ways would be subject to scrutiny, which would undoubtedly cause an upheaval and escalate to battle to preserve antiquated notions of religion. Or religion would fall prey to anti-religion. Having to cope with the new developments that other sentient beings exist, one might opt out of religious parameters all together because the task of choosing a coherent religion will not satisfy their understanding.

Religious revision will be necessary when other intelligent life is discovered. It will be a long process because some will have to recover from the fear of this new revelation. Fear being the burden of not understanding, the shock of an unfamiliar life-form staring us in the face will probably kick humanity into survival mode, meaning emotional and barbarous conflict."

Patrick Black