Assuming we find evidence of alien life and not actual contact, I think this is definitely how Evangelicals in the US will react (complete denial). They have to, because the existence of aliens is theologically very tricky for them to deal with.
And personally, I think we'll see evidence of aliens long before contact. Because of the massive distances involved, if FTL travel is not possible then we could see the lights from alien cities but not be able to contact them.
Assuming we find evidence of alien life and not actual contact, I think this is definitely how Evangelicals in the US will react (complete denial). They have to, because the existence of aliens is theologically very tricky for them to deal with.
And personally, I think we'll see evidence of aliens long before contact. Because of the massive distances involved, if FTL travel is not possible then we could see the lights from alien cities but not be able to contact them.