Well, first, before I take the trouble to reflect theologically....
I met a scientist from JPL once. She (yes, she) had two Ph.ds, made the cut for astronaut on the shuttle; designed the Jupiter probe; and (of course) studied the universe on a regular-technical basis.
I just had to ask if "she and the boys" (meaning all the behind the scenes scholars - never mentioned on the 5 O'clock News) had any inkling at all if there really was serious evidence for life outside earth? Unanimously she and her colleagues agreed: No way. There is no evidence; no patterns pointing to a possibility, Etc. In fact, she continued, that the more research done, the more they know for sure - life on earth is utterly unique. And THIS was the thing that vexed, exhausted and depressed her. She had varioius, personally-invented equations to what the alternative answer could be, noting that there must be an intelligent designer of some sort. Despairing, thus far, and during our casual exchange, she asked me what my thoughts were about WHO might have created the universe? (She had noted design patterns shared in the galaxies and biology.) This brought about a fascinating conversation.)
Meanwhile, she further explained that the media hub-bub is about book sales; fame; fortune; power in the scientific community. "The Emperor has no clothes." Groups like SETI easily attain government funding -- and this is job security, of course.
JPL is Jet Propulsion Labs, Pasadena - NASA research group.
Robin