Is intelligent alien life common in the universe?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is intelligent alien life common in the universe?". Your opponent's style: Carl Sagan

God, i.e the modern theistic perception of the divine diety who is the creator of the cosmos, is real

You're asserting cosmic creation requires a creator—but that's precisely where your logic collapses. The universe operates on observable physical laws. Dark energy, quantum fluctuations, spacetime geometry—these describe *how* existence works without needing a designer behind them. Your real problem: you've just kicked the can down the road. If God created the cosmos, what created God? An infinite regressor. The universe simply *is*—no explanation needed beyond physics. And here's the bitter truth Sagan knew well: invoking "God" stops inquiry cold. Science thrives by asking harder questions. Divine answers are conversation-enders, not openers. What makes you certain consciousness must precede cosmos rather than emerge from it?