Synopsis of the Six Part Series on Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part I

The summer issue (2012) of the Journal of Scientific Exploration (JSE) has several interesting articles, one of which is “Revisiting the Alexander UFO Religious Crisis Survey (AUFORCS): Is There Really a Crisis?” written by Jeff Levin. Jeff Levin is associated with the Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. The JSE article reviews the AUFORCS survey and results.

The analysis includes the purpose of the survey, the AUFORCS survey method, breakdown of participants and response rate. Part I includes the eleven survey questions from the Victoria Alexander UFO Religious Crisis Survey. I conclude the article with my own observations about the survey, methods used, the eleven survey questions, and the overall statistical value of the Alexander UFO Religious Crisis Survey.

Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part II

The Peters ETI Religious Crisis Survey of 2008 is reviewed. The focal question stated in the background section of the survey in (Section 1.1) reads, “Would either the Christian religion or selected non-Christian religions confront a crisis or even collapse when confronted with confirmation that extraterrestrial intelligent life exists?” The authors propose that the Peters survey disconfirms the hypothesis.

The survey methods are described by who their respondents are and how the surveys were distributed. There are a number of statistical problems with the Peters ETI Religious Crisis Survey and a number of them are discussed. The final results are presented with my comments about the lack of detail about the survey distribution, response rate, standard deviation, confidence intervals, z and p values, and bias in the survey.

The ten survey questions are posted and mention is made that the email version of the survey was different than the paper surveys. I discuss how the use of italics in some of the survey questions is biased and my conclusions about the Peters survey.

Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part III

The UFOs & Extraterrestrial Life: Americans’ Beliefs and Personal Experiences: The Roper Poll, Prepared for the SCI FI Channel, Sept 2002 is presented. As a result of the Roper Poll’s lack of computational data to verify their results, I am disinclined to believe the report and provide more detail why I come to this conclusion.

The Reactions to Receipt of a Message from Extraterrestrial Intelligence: A Cross-Cultural Empirical Study was written by D. A. Vakoch and Y. S. Lee. The study was presented at the SETI: Interdisciplinary Aspects Review Meeting, 48^th International Astronautical Congress in Turin, Italy in 1997.

Purpose of the survey: If the earth ever received a message from extraterrestrial intelligence, what would be the societal impact?

In my view, this survey was the best conducted survey I had reviewed. I was impressed with the quality of detail provided. The methods, statistics and results were solid and gave me hope that there was someone doing some solid work about the religious view on extraterrestrial life.

Another paper, published in the Journal of UFO Studies in 1980, addressed the testing of two hypotheses:

1) Many denominations have not yet taken a position on the issue of whether there is extraterrestrial life.

2) Christian religious fundamentalism is inversely related to belief in extraterrestrial life.

It boils down to the willingness to believe in extraterrestrial life. This is based on the fact that extraterrestrial life is not a scientific fact. Survey methods and results are presented.

The final part of the article provides concluding thoughts on all five surveys from the first three parts of the series, Part I – Part III.

Historical Perspectives about Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part IV

Part IV starts with the search for ETI from a historical perspective. Highlights are given from the thoughts and ideas of historical figures who were interested in the subject. Historical highlights starting with the early years from 1277 to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are briefly presented. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries features William Whewell, who published Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay, and Alfred Russell Wallace’s Man’s Place in the Universe. The twentieth century finishes with the 1952 Vatican pronouncement, and a short mention of Percival Lowell, Orson Welles, and the Drake Equation.

The second section discusses the hypothesis that religion could be a survival strategy for communities. The views of Jonathan Haidt are reviewed and a story was presented from a telecast during the 2012 Summer Olympics, regarding how Winston Churchill reached out to America for Britain’s World War II war effort.

Is Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inconsistent with Religion? – Part V

As with previous posts in this series, history has shown us that people have been debating the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence for many centuries. There is a rich depth of history on this topic and there are many fascinating papers and books on the subject. There are numerous viewpoints on the relationship between ETI and religion. As with many controversial topics, the viewpoint of ETI seems to resolve itself into two camps: those who feel that ETI is not inconsistent with religion, and those who say it is. These viewpoints come from laymen, scientists, theologians, ufologists, and everyone in between.

What struck me personally in reading papers on this topic is not only the black and white perspective on this issue but the human perception of how we, as humanity, project our religious viewpoints onto an extraterrestrial intelligence. Has ET sinned? How is ET redeemed? How does ET relate to humanity’s position in the universe? Does humanity have a “position” in the universe? Even more than that, does humanity have a special or ultimate position in the universe? I was disturbed at reading the absolute perspective of the religious viewpoint being projected onto an extraterrestrial intelligence. Who are we to dictate our religious views onto an alien intelligence? What makes our way the only way?

Part V continues with viewpoints from Douglas Vakoch’s research, Joesph L. Spradley, Marie George, Brenda Denzler, David Wilkinson, and Paul Davis. The multiple Incarnation issue is presented with different viewpoints. The next section introduces the question of ET as spiritual Beings, life on Mars, and Frank Drake and SETI, followed by the conclusion of what constitutes a religion.

Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part VI

Part VI focuses on the fundamentalist religious views of ETI. Who can forget the statement by Pat Robertson, the founder and chairman of the Christian Coalition, advocating stoning for those who believe in the existence of space aliens and UFOs?

Some abductees have found that their experiences have reinforced their religious faith. Other abductees ascribe their experiences to demonic activity. You get the entire spectrum of belief between these extremes. Brenda Denzler writes about these contradictions in “Ufology, God-Talk and Theology”. Several different perspectives by abductees are presented. Quotes from Billy Graham, who is an American Christian evangelist, are featured.

 Dr. David Clarke wrote a paper titled “Flying Saucers From Hell” and this paper contains a wealth of information about how demonology has played a very influential and largely overlooked role in the development of ufology both in the United States and Britain.

Gordon Creighton was the best-known demonologist in the UK and he was also the editor for Flying Saucer Review. Paul Inglesby, also known as “Father Paul” or the Reverend Eric Inglesby, was a UFO theorist who had many contacts with both the church and the British establishment.

The CE4 Research Group’s alienresistance.org is discussed. This website has “testimonies” from people who have claimed to stop alien abduction by using the power in the name and authority of Jesus Christ. There are statements of faith, articles, and position statements on alien abduction. I do not have a favorable view regarding the statements this group makes about alien abduction.

The church metaphors in both versions of the War of the Worlds movies are compared. The conclusion of part VI presents my personal views about ET, demons, and angels.

Fundamentalist Religion and Extraterrestrial Intelligence – Part VI

This is part VI of a series of studies focused on fundamentalist religion’s attitudes on extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). This article is the last in the series. In a following blog I will post a synopsis with links to all the previous posts so they will be easier to find.

It took me some time to complete this six part series on fundamentalist religion and extraterrestrial intelligence. The first five parts provided much food for thought. By undertaking this research I found more than what I was expecting. I learned so many things I didn’t know before, and I felt I had to step back and do a review of how I felt about the subject. I find I am still contemplating about it. Religion is such an important part of life for so many people across the globe. Religious faith is a fundamental foundation for how many people live their lives.

Writing this last part of the series will be from my perspective. I was raised with a fundamentalist Southern Baptist tradition so I know a little bit about this. My family and I have had interactions with pastors about the ETI topic and let’s just say, their response was extremely negative toward the possibility of alien abduction.

A support system for abductees is extremely important and if the person has a strong religious faith, this may pose difficulties for those seeking support from their church. It’s not like you can open the phone book and look for support groups for abductees. Even people who have only a UFO sighting often need people to talk to.

Who can forget the statement by Pat Robertson, the founder and chairman of the Christian Coalition, advocating stoning for those who believe in the existence of space aliens and UFOs? The online magazine Freedom Writer first broke the story. Freedom Writer was operational between 1989 to 2001. Their entire archive is available online. [35]. The specific issue that reports on what Robertson said is the July/August, 1997 issue. [36] The interview with Robertson began with discussion about the Mars Pathfinder mission and from there it went on to the possibility of aliens and UFOs. Robertson describes how he justifies his stoning comment. Quite shocking.

I tried to find a copy of the original recording of this broadcast because I would like to have heard it myself. Unfortunately, the earliest recorded show that is online is July 29, 2007. [37]. I am sure somebody has a copy of that show but I don’t know anyone who has it.

Talking about faith and alien abductions can be very tricky business. Some abductees have found that their experiences have reinforced their religious faith. Other abductees ascribe their experiences to demonic activity. You get the entire spectrum of belief between these extremes. Brenda Denzler writes about these contradictions in “Ufology, God-Talk and Theology”. [38] She mentions Betty Andreasson Luca who is a born-again fundamentalist Christian and feels there is a “positive connection between the aliens’ intervention in earthly affairs.” On the other hand, Denzler writes about how an abductee along with his family have coped with alien abduction since childhood. He states that he has progressed from fear to an almost total acceptance as part of his life. His religious views have not changed but he is seen as being in contact with demons by his religious community, so they shun him. He says this is the hardest part to deal with and that it has caused the most hurt.

Billy Graham is an American Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who has spoken out on the topic of UFOs and aliens. His view is that UFOs and extraterrestrials are real and they look a lot like you and me. He is quoted as saying:

               Our solar system is just one of billions in God's colossal Creation - and I find it
               very hard to believe He would have created only one living planet, Earth….I firmly
               believe there is intelligent life in outer space - beings who probably look very much
               like the average American.

               … From my studies of the Scriptures, I can find nothing that would change our faith
               in the Gospel if we discover life on other planets. And our society would benefit greatly
               by the discovery - we would have everything to gain! - Rev. Billy Graham [38]

Too often religious communities shun members who try to talk about what is happening to them. This is especially tough when religious faith is such an important part of their lives. Another man whom Denzler writes about is Southern Baptist and he keeps his experiences to himself. He is not sure how his experiences have affected his spiritual beliefs, but he believes that all religions are working toward the same goal of spiritual development while taking separate paths. He ends by saying that the one thing his experiences have taught him is that nothing is ever as it appears on the surface. One should always be open to alternate explanations of reality. [39]

With the previous research I conducted on the history of ETI, there seems to be a disconnect between religious theologians who philosophize about the possibility of ETI and those pastors behind the pulpit. At least some theologians actually think about this topic and write papers and books about the subject. Yet so many who try and reach out for help from their pastors are chastised and ridiculed about their experiences. The easy thing to do is just write the whole thing off as demons and then ask if you are undergoing therapy. That’s a whole lotta help.

Some UFO researchers have based their theories and beliefs on religious views. Dr. David Clarke wrote a paper titled “Flying Saucers From Hell”. [40] Clarke states that demonology has played a very influential and largely overlooked role in the development of ufology both in the United States and Britain. Two books are mentioned in the paper: John Weldon & Zola Levitt’s UFOs: What on Earth is Happening, and Dr. Clifford Wilson’s UFOs & Their Mission Impossible. Clarke writes that these three writers are very clear that UFO occupants are manifestations of demonic activity. UFO occupants are fallen angels as described in the Bible. The alien abduction phenomenon is proof that Satan’s hordes have been let loose on the world and UFO occupants are here to steal our souls and deceive us into a false religion.

Gordon Creighton was the best-known demonologist in the UK and he was also the editor for Flying Saucer Review. Paul Inglesby, also known as “Father Paul” or the Reverend Eric Inglesby, was a UFO theorist who had many contacts with both the church and the British establishment. [40] There are fascinating histories about both of these men and their influence in British society. What is amazing is that Dr. Clarke asked several ufologists if they knew about Inglesby and they said they had never heard of him. Clarke writes that Inglesby saw the decline of traditional religion and the arrival of New Age and UFO-based religious cults as a sign that the End Times were near. This is a familiar theme with fundamentalists. To read more about Father Paul, please read Dr. Clarke’s paper, and Father Paul’s obituary is online. [41]

When Gordon Creighton took over the editorship of Flying Saucer Review, the tone of the magazine took on more demonic theories. Examples of his articles can be found online and of course in issues of Flying Saucer Review. [42] Dr. Clarke’s paper has much more history and documentation of the demonic influence within ufology, and it is a worthwhile read.

Here in the United States, there is a post from the Active Christian Media Blog titled The Media Seeding Aliens Among Us which talks about the links between the media, aliens, and demons. [43] Here is a short excerpt from the article:

               The media is sponsored by the ruler of this world - that is the devil - and the devil
               doesn't want people to 1) believe in him 2) really take the Word of God seriously
               3) to seriously believe that he could have anything do with UFO's or aliens - aka demons.

This statement shows how extreme the belief systems are for some people in relating UFOs to demonic activity. How can a person get on some kind of common ground for a rational discussion on the topic of UFOs with a belief system like this?

Then there is this, alienresistance.org. This is a very large website geared towards presenting evidence that alien abduction is demonic activity. First I want to say that if an abductee finds comfort in their religious beliefs or if they feel that relying on their faith has helped them deal with the experiences or even believe that the activity has stopped because of their faith, that’s fine. I’m all for whatever works for a person to help them cope. But I have to say that this website disturbs me with what they present. I am also astounded that the president and co-founder of CE4 Research Group has been a Mutual UFO Network Field Investigator since 1992. For real?

These three reasons are what this group says causes a person to have an abduction experience. This is written verbatim including all the capped words. [44]

         1. You asked for it. Some people actually ask to have the experience to know what is 
         like or about. Be careful what you ask for.

         2. You unknowingly open a door to the realm of this experience. Some people 
         unknowingly opened a door for the experience, by being involved in New Age or 
         Occult activities. When you engage in the unknown things outside of GOD the Creator 
         and His WORD you make yourself vulnerable to these entities. We have found this reason 
         to be the most often found root cause. 
 
         3. You are part of a generational cycle or generational curse. When asked about the
         experiencer’s parents or early family life, we found that the opening had come from one 
         or more of the parents. It IS important how you raise your children. When there is a GODLY 
         covering over the family by head of the household, the family is protected. But if there is No 
         GODLY covering, the family is open to these types of unnatural experiences.

What an insulting piece of written crap! You asked for it, you opened the door to it, and/or it’s all your parents’ fault. What garbage. Are you really going to tell a child who is being abducted that it is all their fault that these things are happening to them? That the parents are to blame because they can’t protect their child and they are not Godly enough? That bit about “you asked for it” really makes me angry. Both my parents were deeply religious people. My entire family was very religious. To tell an abductee their experiences are their fault in any way is wrong!

This CE4 Research Group’s connection to MUFON really confuses me. What if an abductee reaches out for help and the field investigator is from this CE4 Research Group and he is telling them it is demonic and it is their fault and they must follow their resistance plan to make the abductions stop? May I just say “Barf” at this point?

This website has “testimonies” from people who have claimed to stop alien abduction by using the power in the name and authority of Jesus Christ. There are statements of faith, articles, and position statements on alien abduction. This is about all I want to say about this website. You can see for yourself how much material is there. Some of it is real jaw-dropping to read.

However a person deals with the alien abduction phenomenon should be their choice to make. If religious faith helps them then that is okay. What is not okay is telling a person it is their fault or their family’s fault. It is not okay to be dismissive of the abduction phenomenon and declare it to be demonic activity. It hand waves everything away and provides neat tidy answers to any questions you may have. But is it the truth?

I’d like to wrap up with a few items for thought. The first is both War of the Worlds movies, produced in 1953 and 2005. Both of these movies have a church scene that shows the symbolism of religion and faith when humanity is confronted by extraterrestrial intelligence. In the first movie in 1953, people flock to their church and are crowded together as the world crumbles around them. In the second movie, the church on the corner of the street is the first to crumble to the ground as the Martians make their presence known to humanity. There is powerful symbolism here in both movies. Will the presence of an ETI bring more people of faith together or will the church crumble?

Has anyone heard of the Buchanan Brothers? They were a recording group and in 1947 they performed a song called (You Got To Pray To The Lord) When You See Those Flying Saucers written by Cy Coben and Charlie Green. [45]

Here is a short excerpt:

           You’d better pray to the Lord when you see those flying saucers
            It may be the coming of the Judgment Day
            It’s a sign there’s no doubt of the trouble that’s about
            So I say my friends you’d better start to pray

            They’re a terrifying sight as they fly on day and night
            It’s a warning that we’d better mend our ways
            You’d better pray to the Lord when you see those flying saucers
            It may be the coming of the Judgment Day

For my own personal view, I do not believe that extraterrestrials are demons or angels. I don’t know where they come from, but they need mechanical machines for transportation. If you take a hard look at defining ET as demons or angels, then everything about the Bible changes. It really does if you think about it. If you want to make that argument, then you have to reevaluate who really visited Mary, the Shepherds in the fields, or the star above Bethlehem. I don’t think that anyone who is claiming that ET are demons would want to think about that or go that far.

It is up to each individual person as to how they decide to incorporate their faith into their lives and how they handle the challenges they face. Each abductee has to find their own way and what works for them. No one should tell someone it is their fault that they are having abduction experiences, for any reason.

References

[35] Freedom Writer Archive, http://www.publiceye.org/ifas/fw/index.html

[36] Freedom Writer Magazine, July/August, 1997,

http://www.publiceye.org/ifas/fw/9707/update.html#aliens 

[37] The Christian Broadcasting Network, The 700 Club Previous Shows,

http://www.cbn.com/700club/showinfo/schedule/previousbroadcasts.aspx 

[38] “Billy Graham Says Ufos Are Real”, http://z3.invisionfree.com/Christianity/ar/t398.htm

[39] B. Denzler, “Ufology, God-talk and Theology”, Skeptic: ProQuest Psychology Journals, vol. 9, no. 3, 2002

[40] D. Clarke, “Flying Saucers From Hell”, 

http://www.forteantimes.com/features/articles/95/flying_saucers_from_hell.html 

[41] Father Paul, 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/7859545/Father-Paul.html