Articles Related to Abductees and Ufology

Musings and Meanderings...

Many ideas appear when a group of people get together for an open minded discussion. Religion is not my area of expertise, but I've heard a lot of other people discussing it that seemed to lack studious effort in researching as well, so I will feel free to bring this up.

Angels, fallen angels, and demons...they are often mentioned in the same sentence as aliens/ET. I have no idea what these people are basing their opinions on, I've never seen anything anywhere to support their point of view in the Bible so often quoted. Since I can't support these points of views, its quite obvious that I am going to point out the flaws, from my point of view.

Look at ET as an intelligent being. It's fond of its own race, its own lifestyle. ET is coming here, doing whatever with humans that require abductions. Some people claim it's benevolent in nature.

Benevolence, in the human mindset, is a virtue, something to strive towards and admire. Angels qualify as benevolent beings. However, benevolence rarely exists without an ulterior motive. My question is what is the motive? I am certain ET wants

something from us, and fears us to a degree at the same time, otherwise its contact would be open and we would know their purpose.

To take the opposite side of that coin, demons are evil, bad, negative things that want us to cause ourselves and those around us harm and discomfort. I realize that is a very generalized description, but its the "feeling" behind the term that I am trying to

convey rather than the technical meaning of the term 'demon'. Demons have no real motive other than watching the hate and discontent they can cause. This description is also not in keeping with ET reports from abductees. If ET was just out to cause hate and discontent, it would not spend time to ensure the wellbeing of the abductees. There are entirely too many cases of abductees receiving medical treatment to cure an illness to just write off ET as a demon. A demon wouldn't care if its abductees were dying.

So, it's back to the alien agenda, a subject often debated. I am certain it exists, and I'm certain abductees are part of that agenda...after all, these abductions have been occurring for generations. That sort of effort would not be expended for no reason at

all. Do I know what their agenda IS? Of course not, that subject has been discussed by every ufologist in the world, and they usually do not agree...so there is no reason for me to start an argument on that subject.

What is the reason for these musings? Simple...I have a "motive" as well...to make people think, to create logical responses to ideas, whether it agrees or not.

Do I think I'm right, that there is no room for expansion or shifting of my own opinions? Of course not! That's called a 'closed mind,' which is a terribly boring thing to me.

Its a good thing to examine new ideas, even if the idea is disposed of. That examination is just looking at things from other angles, always a good thing. The

active study of UFOS and ET is still relatively new and while we have learned much in the last 50+ years, we will undoubtedly learn much more in the next 50 years. Many ideas we hold dear today will later be found to be as ridiculous as the idea that the world is flat. Refusal to look at new ideas will make us the intellectual dinosaurs of the millennium.

I do not think its a good idea to turn the study of UFOs and ET into a pseudo-religion. That will cause the field to stagnate. While many religions may have old stories buried within their mythology that DO pertain to ufology, ufology is no more a threat to

anyone's religion than biology is...or rather it shouldn't be a threat. We are trying to bring credibility to the field, not shift it deep into the 'fringe lunatic' element with a pseudo-religious flavor.

So...my challenge to you for now...is to THINK. Discuss things, read new things, look at it from a new angle, and then discuss it some more. Don't close your mind to new ideas, but at the same time, don't swallow each new concept obediently without

questioning it. If a new idea can't bear questioning, then its obviously not going to stand on its own. No one has all the answers, but no one can find the answer on their own either.

Why Ufology?

The explorer's heart, that in life sometimes the questions are more important than the answers themselves, to build upon the growing of the mind, the use of imagination, the acquiring of knowledge, following of patterns of how the whole subject evolved to begin with.

I believe all those things and much more and even beyond the much more to the questions we have yet to ask, but why such a secret shadow that is overcast on said subject?

I have never quite understood why Ufology and contact experiences have been neatly swept aside into some obscure closet that people do not want to venture into. If one is so bold to open the door and flip on the light an unseen presence screams, "Shut the door...turn out the light, you nut, you fruitcake, you abomination of man." So you

stand their perplexed but willing to ask the question of yourself, "Do I really want to shut the door and have someone else tell me what I can chose to learn about or not. Do I really want to give someone else the power to label me as a kook. Who are they to say what I can study and what I cannot?"

If you chose to step inside the closet it does not mean you have to turn over to the "presence" of your religious beliefs, it does not mean you have gone crazy, and it does not mean you even have to believe that such a thing as a extraterrestrial even exists.

What it does mean is you have given yourself an opportunity to study and research things you would of never dreamed of, to learn about a variety of subjects that will allow you to create the patterns of what you want to learn about.

Ufology is not a hard set, this is it, I believe. It is about considering the possibilities and how they might be so. It is about determining if this filed is normal or paranormal for yourself. You are smart, you are intelligent, you can decide for yourself and not have someone tell you what to think.

Often times we got caught up in terminology's and waste a great deal of time arguing about absolutes, truths and facts. Do to the fact we are all individuals those three simple terms have complex meaning, because the meaning is derived ultimately by the individual.

Let's say you have decided Ufology is a worthwhile study. Where would one start? The

beginning is always a nice place to begin. Than you have to ask yourself, "Exactly where is the beginning?"

I wonder how many people thought the well publicized incident in Roswell, New Mexico. If you did that is alright. It shows the power of the media to shape our ideas as to what should or should or should not be considered important. But that in itself is a whole other topic. The actual answer I believe is ancient history. There are countless records throughout history that lend credibility to at least wanting to research this idea, cave paintings, Sumerian and Vedic writings, history of the Dogon tribe, and many renaissance era paintings. That is only a very short list of the multitudes of information in ancient history that suggest some kind of extraterrestrial contact.

So I had to sift through ancient history? What exactly did I learn? I would almost bet a great deal of geography. I am sure you would of wanted to look on a map and see where these places are today. No doubt you learned some archaeology, how they go about excavations, how they date things, and probably a bit about ancient cultures and man. No doubt along the way you learned some geology, the areas where things

were found. You might even have asked yourself if there is some kind of geographic

connection to all the information. You probably even learned all of ancient mans history is not buried in the earth somewhere, but some is also sitting in the waters of the great oceans.

Maybe now would be a good time to ask, "What is a UFO?" An unidentified flying object. A good place to start might be asking, "What is an Identified flying object?" You will have to do some studying. A plane? that is an easy answer. What kind of plane? You might decide to go and look at all the different X crafts, those prototype planes. There are some pretty wild designs. That could explain away a UFO. But there are so many different types of sightings. What about weather phenomenon? Time to go back to geology and study about the anomalous types of weather occurrences that could lend an explanation. But some of those alleged craft fly so fast and apparently in an intelligent manner. The idea might occur holographic technology, something new to read about. After all that and so many sightings all over the world, keeping in mind they

have not all occurred since the advent of aviation and technology you might decide it has some validity to it.

Now you have decided it is possible extraterrestrial civilizations exist, and even visit this planet. How is that possible? We certainly cannot go zipping around the universe. This becomes the stinking point for many. I believe people tend to forget that we do not know everything about science. It would be sad if we did, because then we would not have room to grow and would eventually stagnate. We tend to want to explain everything by current standards, not to imagine a bit into the future of mankind and what we might look like someday say 500 or 1,000 years from now, that is of course if that emergent technology does not eliminate us all together, but again that is a whole different topic in itself. Maybe the best way to research this is to try and see if you can imagine it. Type in some key words and see if someone has developed a theory, like wormholes, particle beam accelerators, gyroscope technologies, study of zero point energy and anti-gravity. Is such a short list for an endless amount of ideas being worked on in the world today.

Ultimately Ufology becomes the study of reading, writing, math, history, science, astronomy, literature, technology and a countless amount of electives in between. It is a place of discovery. It is away to be an explorer.

Review of Dr. Michael Heiser’s Presentation at the 2005 X Conference

By TrM/Thom.

At the X Conference Dr. Michael Heiser rendered an insightful and well-researched presentation on the ramifications of an ET presence on both the Christian and non-Christian communities. Professor Heiser summarized and clarified theological, scientific and philosophical arguments on the existence of extraterrestrials and the impact and advisability of ET interaction with humanity. With an objective focus, Mike Heiser invites all humans to a dialogue on the effects of an ET incorporation into the global viewpoint. Given the possibility of disclosure, open discussion on all aspects of the ET subject, whether theoretical or experiential, must be promoted.

The dialogue as to an ET reality already has invoked the Bible as a point of contention. Professor Heiser calls both Christian and non-Christian alike to a non-subjective interpretation of Biblical content. The Bible text itself, invaluable for its imparted knowledge, must be appreciated through an unbiased focus not distorted by emotionalism or manipulation. Dr. Heiser notes that theological, linguistic and historical research can provide important foundational sources and guidelines to prevent misinterpretation of Biblical passages. On both sides

Effective dialogue requires the participants to be as informed as possible on the other side’s position. Mike Heiser’s lecture provided a summary of humanity’s past and present perceptions, through both secular and theological lenses, of a possible ET presence. (I mention here only a mere portion of the extensive research and resulting arguments included in Dr. Heiser’s presentation.) The evolving knowledge base as to an ET possibility included the Classical Greek Atomists’ philosophical endorsement of intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos. Neither Plato nor Aristotle shared this expansive view. St. Augustine of Hippo, a luminary of the early Church, adopted this latter exclusionary opinion, which prevailed until the Middle Ages.

Nonetheless, thought on the facets of God and His creation never remains static.... As Mike Heiser recounts, The University of Paris’ John Buridan held that God’s omnipotence demanded the existence of more than one world; and Étienne Tempier’s statement of 1277 refused to place parameters on God’s dominion or creative potential. In contrast, the First Cause, Michael Heiser PhD., Hebrew Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.A., Ancient History, University of Pennsylvania; M.A., M.A., Hebrew Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, UW-Madison.

Dr. Michael Heiser’s presentation, “No Room at the Inn? Could Christianity Accept a Genuine Extraterrestrial Reality?” was included among the fascinating lectures at this year’s

X Conference, organized by Stephen Bassett, Executive Producer/Host and Speaker, and Co-Host Cheryll Jones, under the auspices of the Paradigm Research Group. Kudos to them for an outstanding X Conference program!

as visualized by Thomas Aquinas, described a Creator of the universe who demanded perfection in a single world. With the Renaissance, Buridan’s and Tempier’s concepts reached fulfillment in the Principle of Plenitude, which proposed for God’s creative force an infinite scope, encompassing many worlds. Interestingly, Dr. Heiser also noted that the Principle of Plenitude does not require that all the inhabitants of these worlds be benevolent. This clarifying note will be helpful to those abductees who have relayed reports of negative ET encounters/

intrusions. The multiplicity of worlds also suggests the multi-dimensional factor introduced by the research of Dr. Jacques Vallee, whose studies posited an interdimensional source for these beings and described at length the detrimental results of these entities’ incursions into our world. Dr. Heiser’s presentation referenced several studies on ET interaction, with the resulting theories spanning a wide spectrum of modern-day research on extraterrestrial phenomena.

As one major source for the current disapproval of conservative Christians to an ET concept, Dr. Heiser notes the counter-reaction of Christians to the Darwinian revolution. Yet Heiser also references the able scientific arguments of Louis Agassiz, Harvard University Professor and Christian, against the tenets of Darwinism. Professor Heiser links Christian rejection of Darwin’s evolutionary theory with diminished conservative Christian support for the concept of extraterrestrial life and the Principle of Plenitude.

Heiser details other 20th century developments which further reduced Christian support for an ET presence. Frank in acknowledging mistranslation of Biblical text by certain Christians, Heiser also observes that the misreading of Bible passages by various UFO cults and movements offends Christians.

Yet some aspects of the ET scenario cause mutual concerns to arise. As Mike Heiser notes, reports of alleged sexual and other violations entailed in ET experimentation on humans produce a negative reaction among both Christians and non-Christians alike. Dr. Jacques Vallee’s argument cited by Dr. Heiser seems so appropriate. The concept of technologically sophisticated beings using sadistic experimental techniques with no sense of proportionality of risk to the subject seems contrary to any notion of an “advanced being.”

Dr. Jacques Vallee’s intriguing statement is cited from p. 13 of his work, Confrontations. Equitably, Professor Heiser invites both Christians and non-Christians to view the ET question within a new objective framework. Christians need not fear that the existence of other entities places any restrictions on the sovereignty of the Creator. Moreover, Christians have proved their capability of insightful research into the scientific domain. The ranks of scientists include many practicing Christians, represented by such achievers as Francis Collins M.D., PhD, Director of the Human Genome Project. (On hearing this, I recalled the past examples of such Christians as Dr. Isaac Newton and Dr. Louis Pasteur.). Heiser observed that even the concepts of panspermia and evolution are more than adequately handled by such responses as the Intelligent Design theory. This premise, endorsed by many Christians, entails the perception of God as directing the creative mechanism of any evolutionary system. Heiser cites a quote by Dr. Collins mentioning the limitless capabilities of the universe’s Creator, who uses the evolutionary process as the creative mechanism to provide diversity of plant and animal life. Most fascinating was Dr. Heiser’s discussion of ET and the concept of man as created in God’s image. As a result of intensive study of the ancient Hebrew texts in the original language, Dr. Heiser proposes that man’s creation in God’s image signifies the authority and task assigned to each human by the Creator to successfully manage and develop the earth’s resources. Such argument gives another compelling basis for addressing the ET question, namely to ensure that humanity’s endowment of this planet is not stolen by interlopers from other worlds.

Dr. Heiser suggests that non-Christians approach the discussion table with greater discernment as to alleged ET messages. Some of the reported communications appear to be “contactee-theology” hype and not the result of carefully researched and considered information. As noted above, proponents of ET, as well as Christians, must reference any Biblical passages or concepts through methods of accepted Bible interpretation/exegesis. Also, Heiser recommends that non-Christian advocates for ET disclosure not propose the ET scenario as a type of religion. In addition, advocates for ET disclosure would provide a great service by investigating any alleged perceived threats by extraterrestrials to human sovereignty.

Given the timeliness of the disclosure issue and the magnitude of the impact of an ET presence, Heiser’s lecture presented a wide spectrum of knowledge and powerful arguments as to the necessity of open discussion of this crucial issue.

As noted by Professor Heiser, Francis Collins, M.D., PhD., serves as the Director of the National Center for Human Genome Research/Human Genome Project.

The observations of Francis Collins, M.D., PhD., can be reviewed at “Faith and the Human Genome,” Perspectives on Science and the Christian Faith 9 (2003).

Professor Heiser is included among the speakers at the upcoming Ancient of Days Conference at Roswell, with live addresses scheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2005. The program certainly will offer thought-provoking presentations.