God, evolution, creationism, alien and religious leaders?

Why is it that in the past, anyone who believed in anything other than their specific faith were ridiculed, imprisoned, tortured and killed, but now religious leaders have come out to say to the people that it is ok for them to believe in aliens and that aliens must have been created by God? What are your thoughts on this. BTW! If you don't care or have not thought about this, please do not leave annoying remarks